tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21974045987980412702024-03-05T06:09:19.679-06:00The Predestined BlogIn pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following (1 Timothy 4:6)The Predestined Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01587261989476613134noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197404598798041270.post-31006994006053538292018-12-17T21:06:00.000-06:002018-12-23T22:50:00.289-06:00Bible Reading PlansHelpful Prayer Verses:<br />
<br />
James1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him<div>
<br />Psalm 119:18 Open my eyes, that I may behold<br /> Wonderful things from Your law.<div>
<br />Psalm 27:4 One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek:<br /> That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,<br /> To behold the beauty of the Lord<br /> And to meditate in His temple.<br /><br />Jeremiah 15:16 Your words were found and I ate them,<br /> And Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart;<div>
For I have been called by Your name,<br /> O Lord God of hosts.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Psalm 119:34 Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law </div>
<div>
and keep it with all my heart.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
1. The Narrative Story of the Bible: Genesis – 1 & 2
Kings; Ezra, Nehemiah <span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">à</span></span>
John, Luke, Acts, Revelation</div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. By author<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Genesis –
Deuteronomy & Psalm 90 (written by Moses)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
Read Luke then Acts (both written by
Luke)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
Read all of Paul’s letters (Romans
to Philemon)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
Read all of John’s letters (John,
1-3 John, Revelation)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. Read the minor prophets and Paul’s letters when they come
up in the story (source: John MacArthur Study Bible)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype
id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t"
path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/>
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/>
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/>
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75"
style='width:468pt;height:189pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:/Users/Abba/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.png"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1X7Ju5OhQBUeY8EtYP0gY6twpZzFHf5UHP8p5VFSAaztHCy9I8A-I3wr6lP8h6ALx7Sf0aNuNVFhOvBqlv54jNqJXeFpX-V8RldvINK4dUogo2ZRRf7Typ_1D8qEqVOtNlsqIABC-JA/s1600/Minor+Prophets.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="341" data-original-width="846" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1X7Ju5OhQBUeY8EtYP0gY6twpZzFHf5UHP8p5VFSAaztHCy9I8A-I3wr6lP8h6ALx7Sf0aNuNVFhOvBqlv54jNqJXeFpX-V8RldvINK4dUogo2ZRRf7Typ_1D8qEqVOtNlsqIABC-JA/s400/Minor+Prophets.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: #627B9F; border-bottom: solid #526B95 1.0pt; border: solid #6980A3 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #6980A3 .75pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #526B95 .25pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 3.0pt 0in 3.0pt 5.0pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #627B9F; border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-border-alt: solid #6980A3 .75pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #526B95 .25pt; mso-outline-level: 1; mso-padding-alt: 3.0pt 0in 3.0pt 5.0pt; padding: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;">Chronology of Acts and the Epistles <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #627B9F; border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-border-alt: solid #6980A3 .75pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #526B95 .25pt; mso-outline-level: 1; mso-padding-alt: 3.0pt 0in 3.0pt 5.0pt; padding: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;">(source: https://www.blueletterbible.org/study/pnt/pnt02.cfm
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="background: white; border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 622px;">
<thead>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="background: #E9EEF1; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid black .25pt; padding: 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt 4.5pt; width: 2.5in;" valign="top" width="240"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Event<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E9EEF1; border-bottom: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt 5.25pt; width: 127.5pt;" valign="top" width="170"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Reference<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E9EEF1; border-left: none; border: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; padding: 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt 5.25pt; width: 52.5pt;" valign="top" width="70"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Year (AD)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Descent of the Holy Spirit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/acts/2/1-13/s_1020001"><span style="border: solid black 1.0pt; color: #39547f; padding: 0in;">Acts 2:1-13</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">30<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Setting Up of the Church<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/acts/2/40-47/s_1020040"><span style="border: solid black 1.0pt; color: #39547f; padding: 0in;">Acts 2:40-47</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">30<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">First Persecutions <a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/study/pnt/bible_images/Acts/deathOfStephen.cfm"><span style="border: solid black 1.0pt; color: #39547f; padding: 0in;">(Illustration)</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/acts/4/1-22/s_1022001"><span style="border: solid black 1.0pt; color: #39547f; padding: 0in;">Acts 4:1-22</span></a>; <a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/acts/5/21-42/s_1023021"><span style="border: solid black 1.0pt; color: #39547f; padding: 0in;">5:21-42</span></a>; <a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/acts/7/1-60/s_1025001"><span style="border: solid black 1.0pt; color: #39547f; padding: 0in;">7:1-60</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">35<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Philip at Samaria<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/acts/8/4-13/s_1026004"><span style="border: solid black 1.0pt; color: #39547f; padding: 0in;">Acts 8:4-13</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">35<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Conversion of Saul <a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/study/pnt/bible_images/Acts/conversionOfStPaul.cfm"><span style="border: solid black 1.0pt; color: #39547f; padding: 0in;">(Illustration)</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/acts/9/1-9/s_1027001"><span style="border: solid black 1.0pt; color: #39547f; padding: 0in;">Acts 9:1-9</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">36<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">First Gentile Converted<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/acts/10/1-48/s_1028001"><span style="border: solid black 1.0pt; color: #39547f; padding: 0in;">Acts 10:1-48</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">40<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Founding of Church at Antioch<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/acts/11/19-30/s_1029019"><span style="border: solid black 1.0pt; color: #39547f; padding: 0in;">Acts 11:19-30</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">43<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Writing of Matthew's Gospel<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Matthew<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">43<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 9;">
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">James Killed by Herod<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/acts/12/1-25/s_1030001"><span style="border: solid black 1.0pt; color: #39547f; padding: 0in;">Acts 12:1-25</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">45<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 10;">
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Paul's Call<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/acts/13/1-3/s_1031001"><span style="border: solid black 1.0pt; color: #39547f; padding: 0in;">Acts 13:1-3</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">47<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 11;">
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">His First Missionary Journey
Begun <a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/study/pnt/maps/Journeys/paul1MJ.cfm"><span style="border: solid black 1.0pt; color: #39547f; padding: 0in;">(Map)</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/acts/13/4-52/s_1031004"><span style="border: solid black 1.0pt; color: #39547f; padding: 0in;">Acts 13:4-14:28</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">48<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 12;">
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Council at Jerusalem<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/acts/15/6-35/s_1033006"><span style="border: solid black 1.0pt; color: #39547f; padding: 0in;">Acts 15:6-35</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">50<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 13;">
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Second Missionary Journey
Begun <a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/study/pnt/maps/Journeys/paul2MJ.cfm"><span style="border: solid black 1.0pt; color: #39547f; padding: 0in;">(Map)</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/acts/15/39-41/s_1033039"><span style="border: solid black 1.0pt; color: #39547f; padding: 0in;">Acts 15:39-18:22</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">51<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 14;">
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Writing of I Thessalonians<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I Thessalonians<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">52<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 15;">
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Writing of II Thessalonians<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">II Thessalonians<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">53<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 16;">
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Third Missionary Journey
Begun <a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/study/pnt/maps/Journeys/paul3MJ.cfm"><span style="border: solid black 1.0pt; color: #39547f; padding: 0in;">(Map)</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/acts/18/23-28/s_1036023"><span style="border: solid black 1.0pt; color: #39547f; padding: 0in;">Acts 18:23-21:17</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">54<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 17;">
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Writing of I Corinthians<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I Corinthians<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">57<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 18;">
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Writing of Galatians<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Galatians<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">57<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 19;">
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Writing of II Corinthians<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">II Corinthians<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">58<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 20;">
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Writing of Romans<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Romans<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">58<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 21;">
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Writing of Luke's Gospel<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Luke<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">59<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 22;">
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Paul's Arrest at Jerusalem<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/acts/21/26-40/s_1039026"><span style="border: solid black 1.0pt; color: #39547f; padding: 0in;">Acts 21:26-22:29</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">58<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 23;">
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Paul at Caesarea<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/acts/23/23-35/s_1041023"><span style="border: solid black 1.0pt; color: #39547f; padding: 0in;">Acts 23:23-26:32</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">59<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 24;">
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Paul Starts for Rome<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/acts/27/1-2/s_1045001"><span style="border: solid black 1.0pt; color: #39547f; padding: 0in;">Acts 27:1-2</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">60<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 25;">
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Paul Reaches Rome<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/acts/28/11-16/s_1046011"><span style="border: solid black 1.0pt; color: #39547f; padding: 0in;">Acts 28:11-16a</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">61<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 26;">
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Paul's Imprisonment at Rome<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/acts/28/16-31/s_1046016"><span style="border: solid black 1.0pt; color: #39547f; padding: 0in;">Acts 28:16-31</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">62<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 27;">
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Paul Writes Ephesians<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Ephesians<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">62<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 28;">
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Paul Writes Philippians<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Philippians<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">62<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 29;">
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Paul Writes Colossians<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Colossians<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">62<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 30;">
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Paul Writes Philemon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Philemon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">62<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 31;">
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">James Writes his Epistle<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">James<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">62<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 32;">
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I Peter Written<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I Peter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">63<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 33;">
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Acts Written<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Acts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">63<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 34;">
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Paul is Acquitted<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">63<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 35;">
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Paul Visits Various Places<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">63<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 36;">
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Paul Writes Hebrews<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hebrews<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">63<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 37;">
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Paul Writes I Timothy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I Timothy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">63<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 38;">
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Paul Writes Titus<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Titus<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">63<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 39;">
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Writing of Mark's Gospel<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Mark<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">64<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 40;">
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">II Peter Written<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">II Peter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">65<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 41;">
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Paul's Second Imprisonment at Rome<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">65<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 42;">
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">II Timothy Written<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">II Timothy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">66<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 43;">
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Martyrdom of Paul<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">66<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 44;">
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Destruction of Jerusalem<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">71<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 45;">
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jude's Epistle Written<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jude<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">75<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 46;">
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Writing of John's Gospel<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">John<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">85<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 47;">
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Writing of John's Three Epistles<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I John; II John; III John<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">90<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 48;">
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">John's Visions at Patmos<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/revelation/1/9/s_1168009"><span style="border: solid black 1.0pt; color: #39547f; padding: 0in;">Revelation 1:9</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">96<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 49;">
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Revelation Written<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Revelation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F8F9FA; border-bottom: solid #EFF2F5 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #EFF2F5 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">97<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 50; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background: #EFF2F5; border-bottom: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-left: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 4.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Death of John<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #EFF2F5; border-bottom: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #EFF2F5; border-bottom: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: black .25pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .25pt; mso-border-right-alt: #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #F9FAFB .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #F9FAFB .75pt; padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt 2.25pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">100<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4. In the order they were written <o:p></o:p> (source: John MacArthur Study Bible)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="background: white; border-collapse: collapse; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 650px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td colspan="3" style="background: #E5E5E5; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">The
Progress of Revelation: Old Testament<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Book<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Approximate
Writing Date<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Author<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">1.
Job<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Unknown<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Anonymous<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">2.
Genesis<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">1445–1405 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Moses<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">3.
Exodus<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">1445–1405 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Moses<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">4.
Leviticus<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">1445–1405 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Moses<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">5.
Numbers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">1445–1405 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Moses<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">6.
Deuteronomy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">1445–1405 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Moses<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">7.
Psalms<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">1410–450 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Multiple
Authors<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 9;">
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">8.
Joshua<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">1405–1385 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Joshua<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 10;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">9.
Judges<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">c.
1043 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Samuel<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 11;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">10.
Ruth<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">c.
1030–1010 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Samuel
(?)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 12;">
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">11.
Song of Solomon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">971–965 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Solomon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 13;">
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">12.
Proverbs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">971–686 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Solomon
primarily<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 14;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">13.
Ecclesiastes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">940–931 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Solomon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 15;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">14.
1 Samuel<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">931–722 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Anonymous<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 16;">
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">15.
2 Samuel<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">931–722 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Anonymous<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 17;">
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">16.
Obadiah<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">850–840 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Obadiah<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 18;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">17.
Joel<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">835–796 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Joel<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 19;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">18.
Jonah<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">c.
760 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Jonah<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 20;">
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">19.
Amos<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">c.
755 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Amos<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 21;">
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">20.
Hosea<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">755–710 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Hosea<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 22;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">21.
Micah<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">735–710 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Micah<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 23;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">22.
Isaiah<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">700–681 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Isaiah<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 24;">
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">23.
Nahum<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">c.
650 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Nahum<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 25;">
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">24.
Zephaniah<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">635–625 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Zephaniah<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 26;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">25.
Habakkuk<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">615–605 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Habakkuk<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 27;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">26.
Ezekiel<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">590–570 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Ezekiel<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 28;">
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">27.
Lamentations<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">586 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Jeremiah<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 29;">
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">28.
Jeremiah<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">586–570 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Jeremiah<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 30;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">29.
1 Kings<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">561–538 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Anonymous<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 31;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">30.
2 Kings<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">561–538 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Anonymous<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 32;">
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">31.
Daniel<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">536–530 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Daniel<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 33;">
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">32.
Haggai<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">c.
520 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Haggai<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 34;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">33.
Zechariah<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">480–470 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Zechariah<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 35;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">34.
Ezra<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">457–444 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Ezra<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 36;">
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">35.
1 Chronicles<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">450–430 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Ezra
(?)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 37;">
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">36.
2 Chronicles<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">450–430 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Ezra
(?)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 38;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">37.
Esther<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">450–331 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Anonymous<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 39;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">38.
Malachi<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">433–424 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Malachi<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 40; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">39.
Nehemiah<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">424–400 </span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">B.C.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Ezra<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="background: white; border-collapse: collapse; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 650px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td colspan="3" style="background: #E5E5E5; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">The
Progress of Revelation: New Testament<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Book<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Approximate
Writing Date<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Author<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">1.
James<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">A.D.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"> 45–49<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">James<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">2.
Galatians<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">A.D.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"> 49–50<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Paul<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">3.
Matthew<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">A.D.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"> 50–60<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Matthew<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">4.
Mark<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">A.D.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"> 50–60<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Mark<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">5.
1 Thessalonians<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">A.D.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"> 51<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Paul<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">6.
2 Thessalonians<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">A.D.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"> 51–52<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Paul<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">7.
1 Corinthians<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">A.D.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"> 55<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Paul<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 9;">
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">8.
2. Corinthians<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">A.D.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"> 55–56<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Paul<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 10;">
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">9.
Romans<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">A.D.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"> 56<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Paul<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 11;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">10.
Luke<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">A.D.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"> 60–61<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Luke<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 12;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">11.
Ephesians<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">A.D.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"> 60–62<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Paul<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 13;">
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">12.
Philippians<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">A.D.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"> 60–62<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Paul<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 14;">
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">13.
Colossians<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">A.D.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"> 60–62<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Paul<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 15;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">14.
Philemon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">A.D.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"> 60–62<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Paul<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 16;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">15.
Acts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">A.D.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"> 62<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Luke<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 17;">
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">16.
1 Timothy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">A.D.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"> 62–64<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Paul<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 18;">
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">17.
Titus<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">A.D.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"> 62–64<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Paul<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 19;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">18.
1 Peter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">A.D.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"> 64–65<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Peter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 20;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">19.
2 Timothy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">A.D.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"> 66–67<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Paul<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 21;">
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">20.
2 Peter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">A.D.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"> 67–68<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Peter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 22;">
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">21.
Hebrews<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">A.D.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"> 67–69<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Unknown<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 23;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">22.
Jude<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">A.D.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"> 68–70<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Jude<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 24;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">23.
John<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">A.D.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"> 80–90<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">John<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 25;">
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">24.
1 John<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">A.D.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"> 90–95<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">John<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 26;">
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">25.
2 John<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">A.D.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"> 90–95<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #E5E5E5; border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">John<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 27;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">26.
3 John<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">A.D.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"> 90–95<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">John<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 28; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid #514D47 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">27.
Revelation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-transform: uppercase;">A.D.</span><span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"> 94–96<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #514D47 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #514D47 .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #514d47; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">John<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
The Predestined Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01587261989476613134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197404598798041270.post-19414842406395556282018-05-22T22:57:00.005-05:002018-12-23T22:54:40.510-06:00Introducing Marxism: A Graphic Guide Notes<br />
<br />
<i>Introducing Marxism: A Graphic Guide</i> by Rupert Woodfin (Author), Oscar Zarate (Illustrator)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Private property must be abolished via revolution.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wanted a progressive tax system and free education.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Religion is the opium of the masses”<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
[Like Rousseau, people are naturally not selfish/good, but
with the introduction of classes & capitalism it then cause people to
exploit each other] – Thus profit and the need for it is bad<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hegel felt that the apogee of the Absolute was the state
(this lead to fascism via veneration of the state). The dialectic and continual
progress led to the idea of communism with the inevitability of progress (and
no object truth -my note). <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dialetical materialism (Hegel the Absolute is Ideal that
leads to material; Marks the absolute is material that leads to ideas).<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The thesis (capitalism) will give way to the new antithesis
(socialism). The synthesis will leave out all the bad parts of capitalism while
retaining the good (ie new technology)<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Believed that capital will concentrate on the
capitalists/bourgeoise and due to increasing technology would have less need
for workers. Workers would then unite and overthrow the capitalists. Leading to
an eschatological classless society. Lenin though that the proletariat would be
a class themselves and start he “dictatorship of the proletariat.” Marx thought
this uprising against a class structure, would cause the worker class to
abandon “classes” once they overthrow the bourgeoise. This will then be the
realization of socialism. “From each according to his ability, to each
according to his needs.”<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bourgeoise take advantage/exploit the workers. The only
variable costs is the laborers’ hours, thus they are forced to work longer for
less.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marx is very wary of technology’s ability to displace
workers<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3 “laws” that would end capitalism (tried make communism a
scientific endeavor): Law of capitalist accumulation, law of the concentration
of capital, and law of increasing misery. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alienation keeps us from the product of our hands, which now
belong to the capitalists for profit. Work becomes drudgery. It makes us
unhappy. In current times, we are still looking for the “alienation” that makes
us unhappy.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Felt capitalism made people objects.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Trotsky thought the urban proletariats and peasants would
not unite. He also felt an international uprising was needed to sustain the
revolution. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Saw the nation-state as a bourgeoise creation. Revolution
had to be international ie Marx is a globalist.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lenin saw imperialism as the last stage of capitalism.
Through global domination the new proletariat would be the “toiling masses “<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Antonio Gramsci modified Marx by emphasizing the role of
human agency and choice while maintaining the idea of class struggle. He noted
that ideas could bring about revolution. He noted hegemony is seen as “common
sense” and “natural.” These ideas are also necessary, besides economic force
and power, to control the people. And who implements these cultural norms?
Those in power! How? Via instiutions such as the educational system and mass
media. Disadvantaged must not completely unite, just work together, and keep
their distinctions. All groups can make their own special contribution to the
struggle and form a popular collective will. Gramsci noted that the revolution
would need to take time to change culture, as those in power still had the
control of force (ie 1960’s French revolution). He made everyday culture
political.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gramsci and the Frankfurt school denied Marx’s economic
determinism. They were interested in Freudian concepts, mass media, the culture
industry, and the sociology of “mass society.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Althusser’s concept of ideological state apparatus. The
dominant ideology sucks in the individual (“interpellates”). <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marxists today still insist on the evolutionary movement and
change based on a doctrine of material relations and social action. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fukuyama thought a liber capitalist society was the “end of
history” in the way that it was the end game of Hegel’s dialectic ie the
Absolute realized.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Antagonisms can arise through not only class, but gender
ethnicity, age, etc. Thus there can be struggles everywhere, there can be
strange alliances, and unity is very difficult.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Postmodernism sees you not as an individual but a collection
of narratives.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Laclau and Mouffe are radical b/c they politicize the whole
of life. Power relations are everywhere.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marx’s system was not falsifiable (Popper) and didn’t
anticipate a middle class that became owners via stocks and bank investments. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A contradiction in Marxism was its need for someone / some
class to control the centralization. There were Lenin’s promises that the
government was only provisional, but that is not what happened… Staling notes
this contradiction “reflects the Marxist dialectic…”<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the end of the 19<sup>th</sup> century, contrary to
Marx’s prediction, wages went up and people were enjoying a higher standard of
living.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Third world countries, not industrial ones, adopted Marxism</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQEaXeUxvg10HO94bS6Rj8oqDKAN2Qpq7514_H9xP4hwwTmBnDMH8UeCI_wG3XpUMle2vKz1isylxz1P_QNMyVDrUGro2GPLxy6t3qt6CWaDJkrAnoruHB2KWfPeLdknMysU8qKM70XA/s1600/IMG-2507.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQEaXeUxvg10HO94bS6Rj8oqDKAN2Qpq7514_H9xP4hwwTmBnDMH8UeCI_wG3XpUMle2vKz1isylxz1P_QNMyVDrUGro2GPLxy6t3qt6CWaDJkrAnoruHB2KWfPeLdknMysU8qKM70XA/s400/IMG-2507.PNG" width="225" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvDu9eDoJQNalvozA9CThp9s2ASeT-4E1TlJ06bBKtrt_o4nXmr_xlZjc7ZQpkgb-Wg6ALfvSng15bzU8Dq0YBf0Dfqcdomd5eSv30usBggb87Tz_yclcFbbzcGnJWIl_SqMDhTj51A/s1600/IMG-2508.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvDu9eDoJQNalvozA9CThp9s2ASeT-4E1TlJ06bBKtrt_o4nXmr_xlZjc7ZQpkgb-Wg6ALfvSng15bzU8Dq0YBf0Dfqcdomd5eSv30usBggb87Tz_yclcFbbzcGnJWIl_SqMDhTj51A/s400/IMG-2508.PNG" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGxFxTquUz4jAGYDjiss2TkD6n-HJ5pQY3xBVBy6EHldqyla2Gfu48Hlf54pV3YSGIL29fG_t9e30hk-f9R7xzz0sgvGSLSKg2fPaHdQbS-G01PL-8lkRwBvSmcv68meKZ0iEmW_0TQ/s1600/IMG-2505.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGxFxTquUz4jAGYDjiss2TkD6n-HJ5pQY3xBVBy6EHldqyla2Gfu48Hlf54pV3YSGIL29fG_t9e30hk-f9R7xzz0sgvGSLSKg2fPaHdQbS-G01PL-8lkRwBvSmcv68meKZ0iEmW_0TQ/s400/IMG-2505.PNG" width="225" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5HzSSaWkOzyDGXvuGYIbvMg39gyge7cE9Fak4D7OrRM1wiY6LMqkC8D0k6VejDqRDHM0WORxaQd9AhHehj_hUpdzC7F_2af4Gu_jmUbU_XWuzWM8sczGnrTX68nFPAR7bJJd9xsFuQ/s1600/IMG-2506.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5HzSSaWkOzyDGXvuGYIbvMg39gyge7cE9Fak4D7OrRM1wiY6LMqkC8D0k6VejDqRDHM0WORxaQd9AhHehj_hUpdzC7F_2af4Gu_jmUbU_XWuzWM8sczGnrTX68nFPAR7bJJd9xsFuQ/s400/IMG-2506.PNG" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />The Predestined Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01587261989476613134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197404598798041270.post-70507754635755916572018-03-26T22:12:00.002-05:002018-03-26T22:12:10.848-05:00Prof. Stephen B. Smith Philosophy of Politics Notes (Yale)<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12.8px;">
Basic issue: Freedom of the human mind to determine what is best for ourselves vs the State<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12.8px;">
Who should teach the citizens?<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12.8px;">
Socrates “The unexamined life is not worth living”<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12.8px;">
Socrates in the Apology - Moral integrity vs the law<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12.8px;">
Socrates in the Crito takes the City’s argument and argues against himself. He notes the disobedience to the law is detrimental to the society.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12.8px;">
The Republic is about the will of the majority vs the reason of the philosophers</div>
</div>
<div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div>
Rulers those who make the rights vs the ruled</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Plato wanted eliminate the differences between the sexes and wanted them to study together. AdvoxTed education of women and emancipation from the household. He didn’t see why there would Be differences job performance between men and women but...</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
<div dir="auto">
“The first of these waves is, you remember, the restrictions on private property, even the abolition of private property. The second, the abolition of the family, and the third wave being the establishment of the philosopher kings”</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<div dir="auto">
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
<div dir="auto">
“that. Furthermore, their marriages and their procreations will be, he tells us, for the sake of the city. There is nothing like romantic love among the members of the guardian class. Sexual relations will be intended purely for the sake of reproduction and unwanted fetuses will be aborted. The only exception to this prohibition is for members of the guardian class who are beyond the age of reproduction, he tells us, and they, he says, can have sex if they're still able, with anyone they like. A kind of version of recreational sex as a reward for a lifetime of self-control. Child-bearing may be inevitable for women but the rearing of the child will be the responsibility of the community or at least a class of guardians and common daycare centers. A sort of variation of Hillary Clinton's book that "it takes a village to raise a child," comes right out of Plato apparently. No child should know their biological parents and no parent should know their child. The purpose of this scheme being to eliminate senses of mine and me, to promote a kind of common sense of esprit de corps among the members of the[…]”</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Excerpt From</div>
<div dir="auto">
Philosophers and Kings: Plato, Republic, V</div>
<div dir="auto">
Steven B. Smith</div>
<div dir="auto">
This material may be protected by copyright.</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
<div dir="auto">
“regime, his regime typology is, to say, his division of power, his division of regimes and to the rule of the one, the few and the many is based not only on how powers are distributed in a purely factual way, he also distinguishes between regimes that are well ordered, well governed, and those that are corrupt. What does he mean in terms of this distinction? Aristotle's distinction seems to be not only empirical, again, based on the factual distribution of powers. It seems to have a--what we might call today a normative component to it, it makes a distinction or a judgment between the well-ordered and the deviant regimes, the corrupt regimes. On the one side, he tells us, the well ordered regimes are monarchy, aristocracy and what he calls polity, rule of the one, the few, and the many, and on the corrupt side he calls, he describes them as tyranny, oligarchy and democracy also ruled by the one, the few, and the many”</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Excerpt From</div>
<div dir="auto">
The Mixed Regime and the Rule of Law: Aristotle, Politics, IV</div>
<div dir="auto">
Steven B. Smith</div>
<div dir="auto">
This material may be protected by copyright.</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
<div dir="auto">
“He writes, "The nations in cold locations, particularly in Europe, are filled with spiritedness." There is that platonic word again, thumos, are filled with thumos, "but lacking in discursive thought," lacking in the deliberative element in other words. Hence, they remain free because they're thumotic, but they lack political governance. "Those in Asia, on the other hand," he writes, thinking probably here of Persia, places like Egypt and Persia, "have souls endowed with discursive thought but lack spiritedness, lack thumos, hence they remain ruled and enslaved.”</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Excerpt From</div>
<div dir="auto">
The Mixed Regime and the Rule of Law: Aristotle, Politics, IV</div>
<div dir="auto">
Steven B. Smith</div>
<div dir="auto">
This material may be protected by copyright.</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Aristotle saw he importance of geography and social classes in politics. “He writes, "The nations in cold locations, particularly in Europe, are filled with spiritedness." There is that platonic word again, thumos, are filled with thumos, "but lacking in discursive thought," lacking in the deliberative element in other words. Hence, they remain free because they're thumotic, but they lack political governance. "Those in Asia, on the other hand," he writes, thinking probably here of Persia, places like Egypt and Persia, "have souls endowed with discursive thought but lack spiritedness, lack thumos, hence they remain ruled and enslaved.”</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Excerpt From</div>
<div dir="auto">
The Mixed Regime and the Rule of Law: Aristotle, Politics, IV</div>
<div dir="auto">
Steven B. Smith</div>
<div dir="auto">
This material may be protected by copyright.</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Natural rights are mutable?</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
We are political animals because of our ability to speak (not an ontological quality)</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Seems to indicate the tradition and Laws determine justice - subjective </div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto-Regular, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Aristotle focuses on </span></span><span style="color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto-Regular, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">phronesis- practical reason</span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto-Regular, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto-Regular, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Believes in division ignorance power by class not for personal liberty but for the good of the city</span></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto-Regular, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto-Regular, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
Aristotle – Man is a political animal<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
Politics is about conflict (partisan and between others). Not about economic conflict a la Marx, but about who rules. The rulers vs the ruled. Rich over poor, etc.<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
The regime is about the distribution of power between cities and famously between the one, few, and many<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
Kindness, mutual affection, loyalty, and trust (<i>philiaI) </i>hold citizenry together.<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<br /></div>
Machiavell</span></span><span style="color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto-Regular, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">i </span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto-Regular, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Is talking about a post-Holy Roman Empire secular society</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto-Regular, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto-Regular, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Armed prophets have changed societies. The old princes are rulers from inheritance; the new princes are ones who seize it.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto-Regular, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto-Regular, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Looks at politics from a extraordinary / extreme circumstances - just surviving?</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto-Regular, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
Virtue is a key theme and by it means something akin to manliness. </div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
His ethics is about pagan worldliness vs Christian innoncence. He says Christianity makes the world weak his word is “effeminate”</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Men must use force to take over. </div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
If you don’t want to get your hands dirty in politics get out of the day. Jean Paul Sartre’s problem of dirty hands</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
The new prince must know how to use cruelty</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
<div dir="auto">
“The new prince, as we've seen, must know how to use religion but needs to learn how not to be used by religion, must not become a dupe of the religious. He must know how to use religious passions and sentiments but not be used by them.</div>
<div dir="auto">
Politics must become a purely worldly affair. It should not be limited or constrained by any transcendent standards or moral laws that do not derive from politics itself, whether a law of God or some kind of transcendent moral order or code. Machiavelli's warning, we might say today, to the religious right, or his critique of the religious right, cannot make politics conform to transcendent moral law. But not only did Machiavelli bring a new worldliness to politics, he also introduced a new kind of populism, you might say. Plato and Aristotle imagined aristocratic republics that would invest power in an aristocracy of education and virtue. Machiavelli deliberately seeks to enlist the power of the people against aristocracies of education and virtue. He is a kind of proto-democrat almost who sought to re-create, not through accident and chance, but through planning and design a new kind of republic in the modern world”</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Excerpt From</div>
<div dir="auto">
New Modes and Orders: Machiavelli, The Prince (chaps. 13-26)</div>
<div dir="auto">
Steven B. Smith</div>
<div dir="auto">
This material may be protected by copyright.</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Man can conquer fortuna 50% if the time</div>
<div dir="auto">
Hobbes</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Man’s natural state / nature is conflict and war</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
War of all against all bella omnum contra omnes </div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Brought forward the idea of individuality even Tocqueville in the 19th century thought it a novel idea</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Anti-Aristotle who thought man had a telos (final cause)</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Materialistic and skeptical in his epistemology </div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Wanted to know what are the grounds for authority </div>
</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Fear and pride are man’s basic emotions </div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Believes there can be a god and revelation, but that revelation cannot be verified </div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Hobbessian citizen looks out for self and is risk adverse. Does not understand doing things for honor. Does not understand rushing into save the day risking life and limb. Bourgeois morality? There is a tension for who will be the fireman in this Hobbessian society. </div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Modern language of politics individual rights over duty, the sovereign working for the lowly. </div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Really came up with the idea of the individual. </div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
States also are “individuals” who can be in conflict as there are no higher authorities to adjudicate between them. </div>
<div>
Believed in an absolute sovereign monarch (not very popular)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Locke</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Natural Law - right to self preservation. Melded Cicero's natural rights with Christianity's imago dei/Creation of God</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Coined - Life liberty and estate (property) </div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Had a positive view (?) of the state of nature. Debated whether our natural laws have a theological origin</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
He says we are naturally prone to own property as opposed to Plato and Aristotle. We are a "property owning" animal</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Our labor is important </div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Big proponent / originator of property rights - We are born with property - Our bodies!</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Consumerism softens people. </div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div>
He is the godfather of Adam Smith and of capitalism</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12.8px;">
Consent of the governed (implicit or explicit)<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12.8px;">
Division of power. Legislative > executive.<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12.8px;">
Executive branch does need the prerogative to overrule laws in times of need</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12.8px;">
Stated that the people have a right to revolution (can appeal to the heavens) if rulers become corrupt (a la the American revolution and King George).</div>
</div>
<div dir="auto">
Rousseau</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Thought experiment what is man like in his natural state? He is good it is only society that corrupts him</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Authority is given by the people (and so they can revolt against it? A la French Revolution?)</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Man is a sensitive animal - big influence on Romanticism </div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Social contract </div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
General will. We much total give ourselves over to the general will. </div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
We are most free when we obey the laws of the general will (republican idea if freedom vs Lockean liberal view of freedom)</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Man is born free but is everywhere in chains. </div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
The state is bad as it imposes things in individuals. </div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Believed in a civil religion (very anti-Christian). </div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Tocqueville </div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Wary of popular sovereignty and the tyranny of the majority as well as democratic despotism. Aristotle also warned of democratic tyranny </div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Believes that religion was necessary for society</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Three important things in American democracy the township/local government , religion. </div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
<div dir="auto">
“Secondly, Tocqueville takes it to be a terrible mistake to try to eliminate religion or to secularize society all together. This is, in fact, probably a more controversial, a very controversial claim. It was his belief, and again, perhaps here he's influenced by Rousseau in the chapter on civil religion at the end of the Social Contract that free societies rest on public morality and that morality cannot be effective without religion. It may be true that individuals can derive moral guidance from reason alone, but societies can't. The danger of attempting to eliminate religion from public life is that the need or desire to believe will therefore be transferred to other and far more dangerous outlooks. "Despotism," he says, "can do without faith, but freedom cannot." A very arresting sentence. "Despotism can do without faith, but freedom cannot." "Religion is more necessary in a republic and in a democratic country than any other," he says.”</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Excerpt From</div>
<div dir="auto">
Democratic Statecraft: Tocqueville, Democracy in America</div>
<div dir="auto">
Steven B. Smith</div>
<div dir="auto">
This material may be protected by copyright.</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
The Predestined Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01587261989476613134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197404598798041270.post-71721360942785273182018-03-03T20:37:00.001-06:002018-03-03T20:37:56.700-06:00The Atheist / Secular ReformationAs the, 500th anniversary of the Reformation has just passed, we realize the impact when different ideologies clash. The Reformation is unique, as it was a theological revolution with the 5 <i>solas </i>(<i>sola fide, soila scriptura, sola gratia, solus Christus, and soli deo gloria</i>) being the battle cry of the Reformers against the Roman Catholic church. This ideological battle within Christendom forever changed the face of the Earth.<br />
<br />
Today, there is another battle, but this time, instead of reformation of Christianity, it is revolution happening in Atheism / Secularism. The Enlightenment and subsequent modernity that has allowed atheism to flourish is now being attacked, by the postmodern atheists, and just as battle ideas within Christianity affected everything from daily life to the highest positions of power, we see the same thing happening before our very eyes. The postmodernists are now "attacking" their modern atheist fellows and the world is feeling the fall out. From elections all around the world, universities, and even the job place, no one is safe from this ideological battle. The idea that (autonomous human) reason was possible without God, for the postmodern is untenable, who instead have given into subjectivism/relativism, deconstructionism, constructivism, and critical theory. These ideas run counter to secular modernist beliefs of objectivism, biological esssentialism, and evolution.<br />
<br />
I just wanted to write this brief note to jot this idea down for anyone else to think about.<br />
<br />
Epilogue: Currently in Europe, with the influx of refugees from Islamic third world countries, we have an unprecedented clash between premodern vs modern vs postmodern societies. Please read Douglas Murray's<i> The Strange Death of Europe</i>.The Predestined Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01587261989476613134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197404598798041270.post-61022966805136999442018-03-01T20:39:00.000-06:002018-03-01T20:39:44.023-06:00Notes from Dr. Michael Kruger's Gospels Class<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div dir="auto">
Reimerus Snatched body theory, Jesus of faith vs Jesus if history; Jesus vs the Disciples version of Jesus</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Paulis Swoon theory, Miracles all have natural explanations, Disciples mistaken about Jesus</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Strauss Hallucination theory, Jesus story as myth, not written by the Disciples </div>
</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Source criticism: two Gospel (Matthew + Luke —> Mark) or two source (Mark + Q —> Matthew + Luke)</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Redaction criticism: It looks for the changes the author makes ie Klausen says Luke downplays he second coming to explain why Jesus isn’t here yet</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Form criticism: looks for the Oral traditions that underlying the Text</div>
</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Textual criticism: Looking at differences introduced during the transmission of the final text in the scribal stage </div>
</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Matthew has a Jewish emphasis, but the great commission to the gentiles is in it. </div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
The great commission (GC) is related to the Abraham (compare all nations language Abraham being a blessing to all nations) and Daniel (cf Daniel 7 one like a son of man receiving all authority/dominion just like Christ notes He has all authority)</div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
The kingdom of God in the OT has everyone steam to a specific place Israel Jerusalem Temple Holy of Holies. Now with Vhrist and the ushering in of a new Kingdom it is reversed with the Christ he true temple sending His Kingdom out to the world</div>
</div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
Mark states that the Gospel starts in the OT hence he quotes an OT verse. </div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
Bultmann thinks that Son of god was a generic term used frequently in Greek. Kruger notes a lot of use post Jesus’ lifetime. Best argument is about the Jewish usage, not Greek usage of the term</div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
John preaches in the wilderness because Jerusalem is corrupt. There is symbolism of the wilderness in Exodus. </div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
Kline sees the Gospels and NT in general as a covenant document in the vein of the ANE / OT treaties. </div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
Luke 1-3 parallels John the Baptist and Jesus </div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
John contains 7 signs (not called miracles). Recent scholars conjecture that Jesus probably spoke more Johanine then synoptic. </div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
Ego eimi/ I am statements may be from Isaiah cf ch 43 translated I am he, but not in the orginal language. </div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
Non-predicate nominative I Am statements ch 4 woman at the well ch 13 and when the guards fall down </div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
Jesus as the true tabernacle among us therefore no need for a millennial temple. </div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
John 18:28 is not about the night time Passover meal. Entering a gentile’s home wouldn’t bar you from the night time one because you could simply wash yourself and wait for sundown to be clean. There were many mid day meals that they were likely concerned about. </div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
(John may be referring to a high day as in “Heredoxy and Orthodoxy” or different reckonings of time). </div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
Long ending of Mark and the story of the adulterous woman are he only serious variants. </div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
It is a good thing we can even identify these because we can only know they are additions because the rest of the text is so solid. Remember that early Christians didn’t have this problem because that text was not there!</div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
The Predestined Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01587261989476613134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197404598798041270.post-87373010356229427292017-09-27T08:41:00.002-05:002017-09-27T08:41:24.950-05:00Ronald Nash Ethics Class NotesNormative words - Affirmative words "ought" "duty" "right" "good"<br />
<br />
Non-normative - Facts<br />
<br />
Intrinsic goodness - Good in of itself<br />
<br />
Extrinsic (instrumental) goodness - Good due to outcomes<br />
<br />
Moral duties vs non-moral duties<br />
<br />
Kant:<br />
Deontologist - Consequences are not regulative. We have duties regardless of consequences. Rationalistic ethics. Wanted to rescue ethics from relativism.<br />
<br />
Categorical imperative is a moral duty.<br />
<br />
Hypothetical imperatives are non moral duties. These take "if -->then" forms. If you want to do well in class, then you need to study. This is different then you "ought" to study. These are relative to a person's desire.<br />
<br />
Provided a rationale case to respect the moral law / categorical imperative. So act in such a way that you can will your maxim (rule of conduct under consideration) to be a universal law. If you lie, you only get an advantage if everyone else is telling the truth. (Golden rule?)<br />
<br />
Don't treat people as a means to an end.<br />
<br />
Laws of morality are like the laws of mathematics and logic. Laws of math are discovered not invented. Kant wants morals to be absolute. When you violate morals you are acting irrationally.<br />
<br />
Kant differs with Christian ethics. Feelings negate morals??? They need to be self imposed.<br />
<br />
Moral systems:<br />
Consequentialist theories / Utilitarianism- Emphasize good and consequences of action. End results. Telological outcomes. This can be used to support conduct that is immoral.<br />
<br />
W.D. Ross "Act vs Action": Combines consequential and deontological ethics<br />
Acts are what we do outside and have to do with the "fitting" thing to do..<br />
<br />
Action look at the inside ie motives. Helping a rich old lady across the street ie out of greed<br />
<br />
What about wrong act with a good action. Good motive, bad delivery.<br />
<br />
Finally, bad motives with bad actions.<br />
<br />
Hedonism:<br />
Differentiate between Psychological vs Ethical Hedonsim<br />
Psychological means that all men due follow their pleasures no matter what you do<br />
<br />
Egoistic Hedonism<br />
Greeks:<br />
Cyrenaics believed pleasure was the ultimate good. "eat, drink, be merry"Epicureus preferred mind over body pleasures.<br />
<br />
Plato said if there is a such thing as bad pleasure, then by definition pleasure cannot be the ultimate good.<br />
<br />
Aristotle said that seeking pleasure, for its own sake, is self-defeating. Seeking merely pleasure will lessen it.<br />
<br />
Altruistic Hedonists / Hedonistic Utilitarianism<br />
Looks out for the pleasure of others. Looking for the greatest pleasure for the greatest number of people.<br />
<br />
Jeremy Bentham - Pleasure is the ultimate good. Hedonic calculus. Thomas Carlyle called this a "pig's philosophy." Someone else said it is better to be a dissatisfied Socrates then a contented pig.<br />
<br />
John Stuart Mills noted that there are different types of pleasure and there are higher pleasures. Philosophers have noted, however, that if there are higher pleasures then there must be a standard that is higher than pleasure that is ranking pleasures.<br />
<br />
Ideal Utilitarianism (non-hedonistic utilitarianism)<br />
G.E. Moore<br />
Act in a way that produces the most amount of good (not pleasure!).<br />
<br />
Rule Utilitarianism<br />
Not about acts, but about which rules we should follow. Telling the truth has better consequences than another alternative rule. Secularist need to have grounding.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joseph Fletcher Situational Ethics<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4 cardinal and 3? Theological virtues<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Society vs state. State has the power of coercion <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Classical liberals in the 1800s promote freedom but do not believe is transcendeny morals. Conservatives do. Frank Meyer and William Buckley in the mid to late nineties synthesized these two to make up modern conservatives. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Plato said physical pain is temporary but damage to your soul is forever<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
5 Principles/justification of what the state can do:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Private harm<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Public harm<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Offense <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Legal paternalism<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Legal moralism<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
Aristotelian Ethics<br />
Goal is for the human good<br />
Particular vs Universal Justice.<br />
There is a "golden mean" between too little of something and too much, but this does not refer to certain things like adultery, where there is no acceptable amount.<br />
Justice is about receiving one's due. Wall Street bankers may be immoral to some, but they are not breaking any rules, and although they may be violating moral laws, they are still acting justly.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not treating unequals equally! Meaning, if I get a 100% on a test and you get 50% we don't receive the same/equal grade.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Economics<br />
A study of what humans value.<br />
Objects only have subjective value b/c it is all about what you are willing to give up at that certain time.<br />
If economic values are subjective than it is impossible to predict the future prices! Thus top down economies like socialism and communism with economic planners never work.<br />
Resources are scarce, including time. When we make choices,there is always an opportunity cost for our choices, namely our #2 desire!<br />
Choices show our values.<br />
Marginal Opportunity Cost - What they are willing to buy or give up for one less unit. Margin refers to any change at the limits. ie 1 burrito $5 2nd burrito you are only willing to pay $3<br />
3 Economic Systems: Capitalism, Socialism, Mixed Economy/Interventionism<br />
Crises that are blamed on capitalism, but is caused by interventionism<br />
Swedish economy is hard to place in the scale. The amount of economic freedom determines where you are among the systems.<br />
Captialism is a voluntary exchange under rules (ie no breach of contract, use of force, etc.).<br />
<br />
Ludwig Von Mises in his 1920 book on socialism prediced it's fall. What's wrong with socialism? Say there is a farmer with no contact with the outside world. You go to him to buy eggs. He charges $50 for a dozen and you say "no thank you." He then sells them to you for 50 cents a dozen and you ask "how many eggs do you have?" The farmer has no idea what the going rate is at the time because he has no contact with the market ie he has no information about supply and demand .<br />
<br />
In socialism, the price controllers do not have enough information supply and demand /what the market desires. A few people cannot know what the wants and desires of the public are at anytime.<br />
<br />
[nice article on Mises<a href="http://capitalismmagazine.com/2000/06/why-socialism-must-always-fail-ludwig-von-mises-on-economic-calculation-under-socialism/"> http://capitalismmagazine.com/2000/06/why-socialism-must-always-fail-ludwig-von-mises-on-economic-calculation-under-socialism/</a>]<br />
<br />
American public schools have been overtaken by liberally ideology via the philosophy of John Dewey and now the NEA.<br />
<br />
Dr. Nash is a big school choice/voucher supporter with the caveat that government vouchers to private schools may control what private schools can teach (and believe that government overreach will likely happen).<br />
<br />
Christian Ethics<br />
Rules (specific examples) vs Principals (generalizations)<br />
<br />
Dr. Nash's view - A thenomist is someone who believes all the OT rules are in effect unless specifically abrogated by the NT. A dispensationalist is someone who believes all the OT rules are abrogated unless specifically sanctioned by the NT.<br />
<br />
Reconstructionists are people who want Christianity to influence culture (ie dominion theology). All theonomists are reconstructionists, but not all reconstructionists are theonomists.<br />
<br />
Abortion arguments. Need to distinguish between gender vs equity feminists (Nash's terms). Gender feminists see being female as oppressive and want everything they can to take of the shackles. Female reproduction is a major aggression against women, so they want abortion, irregardless if the fetus is a life.<br />
<br />
Pro-life feminists see abortion as favoring irresponsible males and is another tool of the patriarchy. Men can only take life and women are the only ones who can give life. Reproduction is a beautiful thing.<br />
<br />
Just War: From Wiki (but mentioned by Nash)<br />
The purpose of the doctrine is to ensure war is morally justifiable through a series of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_war_theory#Criteria_of_just_war_theory">criteria</a>, all of which must be met for a war to be considered just. The criteria are split into two groups: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_war_theory#Jus_ad_bellum">"right to go to war" (jus ad bellum)</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_war_theory#Jus_in_bello">"right conduct in war" (jus in bello)</a>.<br />
<br />
Ghandi non-violent resistance is a utopian pipe dream because it works against the British army, but not the Nazis!The Predestined Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01587261989476613134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197404598798041270.post-73849925528108481852017-07-28T16:14:00.001-05:002017-07-28T16:14:27.609-05:00Notes on "Dispensationalism (Expanded and Revised Version)" by Charles Ryrie - It is important to note the Charles Ryrie ends this book with plea for Christian love and fellowship among believers.<br />
<br />
D = Dispensationalism or Dispensationalist CT = Covenant Theology or Covenant Theologian<br />
<br />
Famous "ridicule the doctrine" attack is to say there are two or more ways of salvation and that the sermon on the mount (Matthew 5) is for a future age. Things, D do not believe.<br />
<br />
Even CT have "dispensations" ie Berkhof sees 4 epochs in the OT.<br />
<br />
"Concerning the goal of history, dispensationalists find it in the establishment of the millennial kingdom on earth, whereas the covenant theologian regards it as the eternal state."<br />
<br />
"In short, the covenant of grace is God's plan of salvation, and therefore the unifying principle of covenant theology is soteriological. In dispensationalism the principle is theological or eschatological or doxological,..."<br />
<br />
3 Sina qua non of D<br />
1. Distinction between Israel and the Church<br />
2. Grammatico-Histroical hermeneutic<br />
3. Center of D is the glory of God.<br />
<br />
Thus, the distinguishing characteristics of a different dispensation are three: (1) a<br />
change in God's governmental relationship with man (though a dispensation does not<br />
have to be composed entirely of completely new features); (2) a resultant change in man's<br />
responsibility; and (3) corresponding revelation necessary to effect the change (which is<br />
new and is a stage in the progress of revelation through the Bible).<br />
<br />
Cross-sectional and longitudinal view of the progress of revelation (spiral)<br />
<br />
On the Eternal state as a dispensation "In other words, the dispensational economies are related to the affairs of this present world, and they are no longer needed when the history of this world comes to a conclusion."<br />
<br />
Some believe the Tribulation is a new / 8th dispensation or could be a re-instatement of the Mosaic / Law dispensation as the first 69 weeks of Daniel were in that time and the 70th is a continuation. Ryrie does not agree with this.<br />
<br />
D of Innocency [sic]:<br />
Adam was not merely innocent he had positive righteousness. "Also, his [Adam]holiness was unconfirmed until he could successfully pass the tests placed before him. Therefore, it seems that Adam's moral condition before God in those days of "innocency" was that of "unconfirmed creaturely holiness."<br />
<br />
D of Conscience:<br />
"During this stewardship man was responsible to respond to God through the promptings of his conscience, and part of a proper response was to bring an acceptable blood sacrifice as God had taught him to do (Gen. 3:21; 4:4). We have a record of only a few responding, and Abel, Enoch, and Noah are especially cited as heroes of faith."<br />
<br />
D of Civil Government:<br />
"The new revelation of this time included animals' fear of man, animals given to man to eat, the promise of no further floods, and the institution of capital punishment. It is the latter that gives the distinctive basis to this dispensation as that of human, or civil, government. God gave man the right to take the life of man, which in the very nature of the case gave man the authority to govern others."<br />
<br />
D of of Promise, or Patriarchal Rule:<br />
"Until this dispensation, all mankind had been directly related to God's governing principles. Now God marked out one family and one nation and in them made a representative test of all."<br />
<br />
D of Grace:<br />
"There are two aspects of the grace of God in this economy: (1) the blessing is entirely of grace and (2) that grace is for all. God is no longer dealing with just one nation as a sample but with all mankind."<br />
<br />
Paul was the chief agent of revelation during this age.<br />
<br />
Q: Does a dispensation in fact completely end when a new one is inaugurated, or in what sense does it end?<br />
A: As a code of conduct and a specific revelation from God complete for its time, a dispensation ends. But some things may become part of succeeding codes in one way or another in the dispensations that follow. That is how, for example, Scripture can say that the law, and specifically the Ten Commandments, have been done away with (2 Cor. 3:7-11) and yet incorporate nine of those Ten Commandments plus other commandments in the law into the code of the dispensation of Grace<br />
<br />
Covenant theology formulated in the 7th century, thus the recency argument not valid against D<br />
<br />
Ryrie quotes Calvin: "charge of newness was leveled long ago at the doctrine of the Reformers. Calvin answered it with characteristic straightforwardness, and his answer is one that could be used to defend dispensationalism equally well against the same charge: "First, by calling it 'new' they do great wrong to God, whose Sacred Word does not deserve to be accused of novelty.... That it has lain long unknown and buried is the fault of man's impiety Now when it is restored to us by God's goodness, its claims to antiquity ought to be admitted at least by right of recovery"<br />
<br />
"Orr, in his classic work The Progress of Dogma, shows how the doctrines taken up for theological study by the church throughout her history chronologically correspond with the general order followed in most systematic theologies. In chronological order the doctrinal discussions were on apologetics, theology proper, anthropology, Christology soteriology, and after the Reformation, eschatology.111 Undoubtedly the recency of systematic eschatology partly accounts for the relative recency of systematic dispensationalism"<br />
<br />
Early church fathers such as Justin Martyr, Clement of Alexandria, as well as modern CT recognize dispensations, at the minimum of Law and Grace.<br />
<br />
Pierre Poiret was a French mystic and philosopher (1646-1719)... In viewpoint it is sometimes mystical, represents a modified form of Calvinism, and is premillennial and dispensational..."his seventh dispensation is a literal thousand-year millennium with Christ returned and reigning in bodily form upon the earth with His saints, and Israel regathered and converted [quoting Ehlert]."<br />
<br />
Isaac Watts (1674-1748) Had 6 dispensations that were the same as the <i>Scofield Bible</i> with the exception of the Millennium.<br />
<br />
[Note: Pseudo-Ephraem texts (4th century?) support the pre-trib rapture circa 374-627 A.D. http://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1031&context=pretrib_arch]<br />
<br />
The bottom-line questions are these: (1) Is the covenant of grace stated in Scripture? (2) Even if it is, should it be the controlling presupposition of hermeneutics and theology? (3) Even if there is a unity of redeemed peoples, does that remove disunities in God's program for His creations?<br />
<br />
"To be sure, apocalyptic literature does employ symbols, but they stand for something actual"<br />
<br />
D is about progressive not successive revelation. Each dispensation is not floating on its own.<br />
<br />
He believes the sermon on the mount is primarily for Israel, but thay the ethical rules apply to the church today.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
People see 2 ways of salvation in D due to wording issues: ie using the words "test" and "D of grace" makes it sound like there is work to pass the test and that other D did not have grace.<br />
<br />
The Law was needed b/c Israel came out of bondage from Egypt and now needed a code to live by. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Some statements by Chafer really make it sound like the Israelite's gave up grace and put themselves under law, but these are taken out of context. Chafer and all D's vehemently deny anything, but sola fide.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
"a dispensation often reincorporates features found in others."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There is no reason why the law should not incorporate grace and in no way change the promises made in a previous economy. After all, the promise to Noah concerning no further flooding of the earth was not abrogated by succeeding dispensational arrangements. The law, too, was added alongside the promise made to Abraham (Gal. 3:14-18).<br />
<br />
Furthermore, the proper functioning and operation of the church is dependent on the giving of gifts to the body, and the giving of gifts is, in turn, dependent on the ascension of Christ (4:7-12). If by some stretch of the imagination the Body of Christ could be said to have been in existence before the ascension of Christ, then it would have to be concluded that it was a nonfunctioning body.<br />
<br />
This clearly distinguishes those who have died "in Christ" in this age from believers who died before Christ's first advent, thus marking the church off as distinct to this age and a mystery hidden and unrevealed in Old Testament times.<br />
<br />
Since the church is the Body of Christ (Col. 1:18), the church could not have begun until Pentecost, and it did begin on that day.<br />
<br />
His death, resurrection, ascension, and exaltation were the necessary foundation on which the church was to be built.<br />
<br />
In Paul's prayer for natural Israel (Rom. 10:1) there is a clear reference to Israel as a national people distinct from and outside the church. He also wrote, "Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God" (1 Cor. 10:32). If the Jewish people were the same group as the church or the Gentiles, then certainly there would be no point in the apostle's distinction in this passage... That these words were written after the beginning of the church is proof that the church does not rob Israel of her blessings.<br />
<br />
It is hard for CT to star the church with the Abrahamic covenant. They do so because that is the "start of Israel" (ie the Church is Israel), however, what about Godly people before then? Pre-Israel?<br />
<br />
Amill/Cov Premill believe the kingdom is inaugurated spiritually. Cov Premill believes in a messianic reign.<br />
<br />
D believes if the Jews did accept Jesus, He would still need to be crucified, and then only would Israel kingdom reign be able to have started. D therefore does not minimize the role of the cross.<br />
<br />
The contingent offer of the Davidic kingdom by Jesus was bona fide, and it was not a spiritual kingdom that He announced. That does not mean that dispensa-tionalists fail to recognize the rule of God in the heart today, but the Body of believers today constitutes the church, not the Davidic kingdom. The sometime distinction between the kingdom of heaven and kingdom of God is not an issue at all<br />
<br />
The initial period started with J. N. Darby and continued through the publication of L. S. Chafer's Systematic Theology in 1948. Progressives label this the classical period. (I personally think it makes better sense to divide the early/ Darby era from the Scofield/Chafer period). The second (or third) era extends from the 1950s almost to the 1990s and includes the writings of Alva McClain, John Walvoord, J. Dwight Pentecost, and myself. This was first called by progressives the essentialist period (from my listing of the essentials—the sine qua non—of dispensationalism), but more recently it has been changed to the revised period. The third (or fourth) present period differs from the previ-ous ones because it includes "a number of modifications" and "sufficient revisions"<br />
<br />
This already/not yet bifurcation is not new in theological parlance. Nor is it always used in the two-pronged concept of the Davidic rule (now in heaven, later on earth). Introduced by C. H. Dodd in 1926, it meant generally that the kingdom of God was already present, even though in some way it was also future. In George Ladd the "already" relates to Christ's reign in salvation and the "not yet" to His future reign in the Millennium. In Hoekema (an amillennialist) it means Christ's present heavenly reign on earth and His future reign in the new heavens and new earth.301 In Sproul (an amillennialist) the "already" is the present age and the "not yet" is the eternal state.302 In progressive dispensationalism, the "already" is Christ's present reign in partial fulfillment of the Davidic covenant and the "not yet" is His millennial reign.<br />
<br />
Furthermore, the writer of Hebrews plainly declares that Christ "sat down at the right hand of the throne of God," not the throne of David (12:2)... Remember, too, that David himself was designated and anointed to be king some time before he began to reign as king.<br />
<br />
"However, it is preferable to see David's earthly throne as different from the Lord's heavenly throne, because of the different contexts of Psalms 110 and 132. Psalm 110 refers to the Lord's throne (v 1) and a Melchizedekian priesthood (v 4) but Psalm 132 refers to David's throne (v 11) and (Aaronic) priests (w 9, 16).<br />
<br />
New Testament references focus on the blood as payment [ie why the New Cov is not currently inaugurated]. In the Upper Room that payment is clearly related to the future fulfillment of the new covenant.<br />
<br />
CT see multiple references to the temple (building, church, Christ's body, etc) and say the temple in Rev 11 is the church, thus the church is in the tribulation.<br />
<br />
CT point - OT promises fulfilled via Christ's rule in the New Heavens and New Earth?<br />
<br />
CT first mentioned in the Westminster Confession of Faith<br />
<br />
The ideas and concepts contained in the covenants of works and grace are not unscriptural. But they are ideas that are not systematized, formalized, and stated by Scripture as covenants. At least the dispensationalist finds the word dispensation used of one or two of his specific dispensations (Eph. 1:10; 3:9); the covenant theologian never finds in the Bible the terms covenant of works and covenant of grace.<br />
<br />
No one disputes the fact that covenant is a very basic idea in Scripture and that a number of specific covenants are revealed in Scripture. But there remains still the reality that nowhere does Scripture speak of a covenant of works or a covenant of grace as it does speak of a covenant with Abraham or a covenant with David or a new covenant.<br />
<br />
Ultradispensationalsim (UD)<br />
Dispensationalists say that the church began at Pentecost, while ultradispensationalists believe that it began with Paul sometime later<br />
<br />
Bullingerism has been stigmatized as 'ultra' Dispensationalism.<br />
<br />
Bullinger believed in soul sleep and annihilation (?)<br />
<br />
He also denied that water baptism and the Lord's Supper are for this age.<br />
<br />
Virtually all ultradispensationalists, of whatever school, agree that it did not begin at Pentecost. All dispensationalists agree that it did. Therefore, ultra-dispensationalism may be defined, or certainly characterized rather definitively, as the school of interpretation that places more than one dispensation between Pentecost and the end of the church age.</div>
_____________________<br />
<br />
<u>Differences with PD (progressive dispensationalism) & <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">ND (normative dispensationalism)</span></u><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
They see "successive arrangements in progressive revelation and accomplishment of redemption" not just relations changing between God and man<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
See intermingling of the millennium and eternal state thus diminishing the significance of God's accomplishments in history (ND sees history as culminating in the millennium) with Christ's<o:p></o:p></div>
Less distinction between the church and Israel<br />
<br />
Progressive dispensationalists place the eternal state as the second part of their final dispensation (the first part being the millennial kingdom), which is called either "the future dispensation" or the "Zionic dispensation.<br />
<br />
PD does not include Pre-fall / Innocence a dispensation.<br />
<br />
Neodispensationalism (Modified D?)<br />
(1) the kingdom of God is the unifying theme of biblical history; (2) Christ has already inaugurated the Davidic covenant and is now reigning in heaven on the throne of David (right hand of the Father = the throne of David); (3) the concept of two purposes and two peoples of God (Israel and the church) is not valid; (4) thus, the church is not a separate group of redeemed people, nor was it un-revealed in the Old Testament (just unrealized); (5) there is one divine plan of holistic redemption for all people and all areas of human life (personal, societal, cultural, and political).<br />
<br />
"Others, while not agreeing with the view that all the Old Testament promises are now fulfilled spiritually in the church, are saying that these promises have been inaugurated and begun to be fulfilled now in the church age and will be consummated in the new heavens and new earth (the already/not yet concept).145 Whereas half of this viewpoint is the same as that taught in progressive dispensationalism (i.e., the promises have already been inaugurated), the second half is not the same (since covenantalists believe that the consummation will be only in the eternal state and progressives say it will be in the Millennium and eternal state)."<br />
<br />
"...they have introduced what they call complementary hermeneutics. This means that "the New Testament does introduce change and advance; it does not merely repeat Old Testament revelation. In making complementary additions, however, it does not jettison old promises. The enhancement is not at the expense of the original promise."<br />
<br />
Ryrie believes PD's hermeneutic jettison's the ability to do literal / dispensational hermeneutics<br />
<br />
They seem to describe the various dispensations more in relation to the history of salvation and the accomplishment of redemption than to the different codes that governed many aspects of life as revealed through the total stewardship arrangement instituted by God in each dispensation.<br />
<br />
PD sees a more Christologic/Messianic goal to history (implication for the Davidic covenant reign now?)<br />
<br />
Progressive dispensationalism teaches that the mystery character of the church means not that the church was unrevealed in Old Testament times but only that it was unrealized. The view also makes the baptism of the Spirit more of a metaphor related to Messianic times in general, including the nation Israel when it turns to Christ in the future.<br />
<br />
By introducing different facets to the concept of the church, the church in this new view is less distinct. For example, Craig Blaising writes, "Progressives do not view the church as an anthropological category in the same class as terms like Israel.... The church is neither a separate race of humanity [true]... nor a competing nation [perhaps not competing, but a nation nevertheless, 1 Peter 2:9]. . .The church is precisely redeemed humanity itself."<br />
<br />
By redefining the concept of the church as a mystery, the church has a less distinctive purpose in God's plan<br />
<br />
In a similar vein [to amill] revisionist/progressive dispensationalists view the mystery as unrealized but not completely unrevealed in the Old Testament<br />
<br />
Instead, the church is submerged into the broader kingdom concept and called a "functional outpost of God's kingdom" and a "sneak preview" of the future kingdom<br />
<br />
Progressive dispensationalism (1) teaches that Christ is already reigning in heaven on the throne of David, thus merging the church with a present phase of the already inaugurated Davidic covenant and kingdom; (2) this is based on a complementary hermeneutic that allows the New Testament to introduce changes and additions to Old Testament revelation; and (3) the overall purpose of God is Christological, holistic redemption being the focus and goal of history.<br />
<br />
One divergence seems to be this: normative dispensationalists distinguished the future heavenly promises for Jewish Christians who become part of the Body of Christ from the future promises for national Israel in the earthly Millennium; progressives do not ("A Jew who becomes a Christian today does not lose his or her relationship to Israel's future promises").<br />
<br />
Basic Tenets of PD<br />
1. The kingdom of God is the unifying theme of biblical history.<br />
2. Within biblical history there are four dispensational eras.<br />
3. Christ has already inaugurated the Davidic reign in heaven at the right hand of the Father, which equals the throne of David, though He not yet reigns as Davidic king on earth during the Millennium.<br />
4. Likewise, the new covenant has already been inaugurated, though its blessings are not yet fully realized until the Millennium.<br />
5. The concept of the church as completely distinct from Israel and as a mystery unrevealed in the Old Testament needs revising, making the idea of two purposes and two peoples of God invalid.<br />
6. A complementary hermeneutic must be used alongside a literal hermeneutic. This means that the New Testament makes complementary changes to Old Testament promises without jettisoning those original promises.<br />
7. The one divine plan of holistic redemption encompasses<br />
<br />
progressives conclude that the church is the "present reality of the coming eschatological kingdom."<br />
<br />
The major similarities, if not sameness, between Ladd and progressives are these: (1) the focus on the kingdom of God as an overall, all-encompassing theme; (2) the already/not yet, progressively realized nature of the kingdom; (3) the present position of Christ reigning in heaven as the Messianic/Davidic king.<br />
<br />
Progressives view the new covenant (like the Davidic covenant) as already inaugurated by Christ, who is dispensing certain of its blessings in this age, even though its provisions will not yet be fully realized until the Millennium. Furthermore, the new covenant will be mediated by the Davidic king, since the new covenant is the form in which the Abrahamic covenant blessing will be fulfilled<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span><span style="color: blue;">Bock Lecture:</span><br />
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: blue;">Classic no not yet already no Davidic reign new covenant only to Israel. Sermon on the mount only applies to Israel.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: blue;">Revised D only one new covenant with an application to the church. Sermon of the mouth can apply to Israel.</span></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: blue;">PD already not yet Davidic reign now / Davidic reign now. We are incorporated into Abraham via our incorporation with Christ. Church functions like Israel thus can share the same terminology. Sermon on the mount is for both Church and Israel. The current Jewish remnant is "bridging?" the OT past and NT future promises now. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span><span style="color: blue;">Substitute metaphor for millennium in Rev 20. Mentioned too much to be an actual metaphor.</span></div>
</div>
The Predestined Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01587261989476613134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197404598798041270.post-79205829511540082452015-07-14T17:55:00.000-05:002015-07-14T17:55:11.530-05:00Dispensational Cessationism - Spiritual Gifts in View of Ones EschatologyThese are just some thoughts I first had about 3 years ago and never had time to jot down.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have been thinking about the interplay between eschatology and one's view of the continuation of the spiritual gifts. There does not seem to be much written about it, so I will try and move the discussion forward.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As a quick primer, reformed/covenant theologians see the return of Jesus as the next major event in history, while dispensational theologians see the tribulation as the next major event (or the rapture depending on what camp you are in). For a more in depth discussion of eschatology see my articles here:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://thepredestinedblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/primer-on-eschatology-dispensationalism.html" style="background-color: white; color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.3999996185303px; text-decoration: none;">A Primer on Eschatology: Covenant Theology vs Dispensationalism</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://thepredestinedblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/covenant-theology-vs-dispensationalism.html" style="background-color: white; color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.3999996185303px; text-decoration: none;">Covenant Theology vs Dispensationalism: Israel and the Church</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A cessationist is someone who believes the gifts, usually the sign gifts, have stopped in the first century church. Another way to put it is that they see more discontinuity with the gifts in the current era when compared to the first century church. A continuationist/charismatic is someone who believes the gifts have continued and that there is more continuity in regards to spiritual gifts with the first century and the current church. For a more in depth discussion about this topic see my article here:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://thepredestinedblog.blogspot.com/2008/06/i-think-that-this-issue-will-become.html" style="background-color: white; color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.3999996185303px; text-decoration: none;">Cessationism - My Take</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u>The Different Categories of Views:</u></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
1. Dispensational Cessationist (my view)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This view espouses that the current dispensation does not include the sign gifts. The key point is that though they do not believe the gifts are in operation for today, they do believe (whether they know it or not!) that they will come back during the tribulation. I have given this view a specific name so as to bring this to everyone's attention. I think this view is the most attractive because it can account for why some people see the gifts stopping and why they continue. They have stopped because in the current dispensation they are not in operation, but they have not completely ended because they will be in operation during the tribulation. Why is that? After the rapture, there are no more Christians, thus God will need to have supernaturally gifted people to know Him and change the world in a mere 7 years! I suppose this view could also support concentric cessationism (see my cessationism article above for a definition) as well, since there is not a hard stop to the gifts until after the tribulation or millennial kingdom.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
2. Covenantal Cessationist</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This is the traditional view that the sign gifts have ended in the first century. There is a lot of literature about cessationism from this point of view. Since there is no tribulation period (for most covenantal theologians) and the next even in history is Christ's return, there are no role for gifts and will be no role for gifts in the future.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
3. Dispensational Continuatinist / Charismatic</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This view would state this dispensation has access to the spiritual gifts. Not sure if I can say this, but I suppose the "second wave" and "third wave" believes could say those are different dispensations where God is working in a different manner. They also believe, obviously, that the gifts will also be in operation in the tribulation. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
4. Covenantal Continuatinist / Charismatic</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This view states that the gifts have continued in the church since the early church and will continue on until Christ's coming. </div>
The Predestined Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01587261989476613134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197404598798041270.post-57062766350873676042014-11-29T14:43:00.001-06:002014-12-26T23:07:42.499-06:00Systematic Atheology: An Outline of Secular Thought<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am often annoyed when people complain that Christians are always “pushing” their beliefs on people, when they are so obliviously doing the same thing. It is probably because religious people in general like to think in categories and why organizing ones doctrine into a systematic theology for Christians is so appealing.</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-0b73a655-fd4a-a187-2776-f1f4b4647469" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is a little outline of atheist / secular materialist thought, showing it for what it really is - a religion with its own doctrines. Just because you don’t believe in God and don’t go to church does not mean you are not religious (see for a good outline of court cases endorsing atheism and secular humanism as religions see here at </span><a href="http://www.evolutionnews.org/2014/07/for_first_amend1087481.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.evolutionnews.org/2014/07/for_first_amend1087481.html</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">).</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<ol style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: upper-roman; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Theology Proper: Study of God</span></div>
</li>
<ol style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: upper-alpha; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Existence of God</span></div>
</li>
<ol style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Atheism - There is no God</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Agnosticism - God cannot be known ie Effectually no God</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Man as God</span></div>
</li>
<ol style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: lower-alpha; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Scientism as the ultimate arbiter of truth</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
</ol>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: upper-alpha; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Creation</span></div>
</li>
<ol style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Evolution </span></div>
</li>
<ol style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: lower-alpha; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cosmologic, chemical, and biological</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Materialism - Only the physical world exists</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: upper-alpha; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Morality</span></div>
</li>
<ol style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Relativism</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Autonomy as the highest form of morality</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
</ol>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: upper-roman; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Anthropology: Study of Man</span></div>
</li>
<ol style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: upper-alpha; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Man as a created process from evolution</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: upper-alpha; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Distinctions between human life, beings,and persons</span></div>
</li>
<ol style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Implication on abortion and euthansia</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: upper-alpha; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sexual norms - LGBT Normalization</span></div>
</li>
<ol style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unique definition of marriage to include homosexual unions</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Separation of gender and (genetic) sex</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
</ol>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: upper-roman; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eschatology: Study of Last Things</span></div>
</li>
<ol style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: upper-alpha; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Green revolution</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: upper-alpha; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Global warming</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: upper-alpha; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Earth will ultimately be destroyed with the destruction of the sun</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: upper-roman; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Soteriology: Study of Salvation</span></div>
</li>
<ol style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: upper-alpha; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In education</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: upper-alpha; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the expression and allowance of individual freedom</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: upper-roman; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ecclesiology: Study of the Church</span></div>
</li>
<ol style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: upper-alpha; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Anti-organized religion </span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: upper-alpha; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Separation of church and state</span></div>
</li>
<ol style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Interpreted to mean no influence of church on state</span></li>
</ol>
</ol>
</ol>
The Predestined Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01587261989476613134noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197404598798041270.post-38539663611655365632014-01-05T22:41:00.003-06:002014-02-24T21:52:06.812-06:00The Bible is Pro-Woman - The Old Testament, Misogyny, and Feminism<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I wanted to write something special for my 20,000 hits and have really wanted to write an article about women and the Old Testament (OT). The OT has been very unfairly criticized for being misogynistic and I have heard people say things like how the OT treats women like objects. It does take some time to understand many of these verses. Simple things like realizing that there were no jails and that slavery was a way of enforcing justice like paying off your debts (i.e.Bernie Madoff), really helps elucidate the whole picture. We also should remember that the Torah (the first five books of the BIble) was written about 3,400 years ago and if we compare it to the other cultures at that time, there would be no doubt that the OT is what I call “pro-woman”!</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6ba7ecdb-65d5-c942-83a3-5ebd40edf02b" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Keep in mind the big picture of how the OT views women before becoming bogged down by the small aspects of civil and ceremonial laws. As Jesus told the Pharisees in Matthew 23:23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law...”</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Bible gives men and women full ontological equality (i.e. equal in their being) in Genesis 1:27, as man and woman, are both made in His image. When they have physical union, they are united as “one flesh”(Genesis 2:24), so that sex is not just a physical act for pleasure, but one that should be used only with his wife, because it makes you one flesh. I think that it is highly significant that God made sex not just some free physical activity because women are not able to be treated as mere sex objects, as sex metaphysical unites man and woman. This was Paul’s concern in 1 Corinthians 6:16 where he says, “Or do you not know that the one who joins himself to a prostitute is one body with her? For He says, ‘the two shall become one flesh.’”</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Monogamy is also held to an incredibly high standard. Not committing adultery is one of the 10 commandments (the seventh) and in the ninth commandment “thou shall not covet” it explicitly states not to covet your neighbor’s wife. Moses, it seems, to go out of his way to make sure Kings “shall not multiply wives for himself” in Deut. 17:17. The man with the most power, the king of Israel, receives a special prohibition. Before we move on, it is important to note here that if people were perfect there wouldn't need to be laws, but as Jesus says in Matthew 19:8 “... Because of your hardness of heart Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way,” thus there are laws to enforce sins such as divorce and polygamy. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Summary: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Men and women are ontologically equal and both are created in God’s image. Monogamy is held to the highest standard with adultery making it into the 10 commandments.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">______________________</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With this view in mind let us tackle some of the some verses in the OT. Some of these cover very “pro-woman” verses and others tackle more controversial verses, in no particular order.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God gives protection for married women</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God in His own words said, “Take heed then to your spirit, and let no one deal treacherously against the wife of your youth. For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel” (Micah 2:15-16). However if it were to happen Exodus 21:10 says “If he takes to himself another woman, he may not reduce her food, her clothing, or her conjugal rights.” Furthermore, the Bible has Levirate marriages, so that if a woman had no children then the husband’s brother would have to marry her. First, it is important to note that it does not say “</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><u>his</u></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> conjugal rights” rather "</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u style="font-weight: bold;">her</u>."</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Second, it was important for women to have children so that they in return could help take care of their parents, as one got older, because of the poor economic opportunities for women, especially divorced women, who had a much more difficult time becoming remarried, as marriages were arranged. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So the conjugal rights were a protection for the women in this case. Do not think the men were excited to be able to continue intimate relations - this is a 21st century fallacy. In fact, men did not want to have have sexual relations with these women, so that they did not have to split their wealth. This is one of the reasons why Deut. 25 goes in depth of how the woman may publicly shame men who do not fulfill this role. Also, the story of Onan in Genesis 38 a tells us that he did not want to impregnate his sister-in-law and “wasted his seed on the ground</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. God saw that action and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">took his life! This is a system of alimony over 3,000 years ago designed to protect women.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are even protections for even more vulnerable women, namely, foreign women captured during war. I believe this section is one of the most pro-woman verses in the Bible. Deut 21:10-14:</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>10 “When you go out to battle against your enemies, and the LORD your God delivers them into your hands and you take them away captive, 11 and see among the captives a beautiful woman, and have a desire for her and would take her as a wife for yourself, 12 then you shall bring her home to your house, and she shall shave her head and trim her nails. 13 She shall also remove the clothes of her captivity and shall remain in your house, and mourn her father and mother a full month; and after that you may go in to her and be her husband and she shall be your wife. 14 It shall be, if you are not pleased with her, then you shall let her go wherever she wishes; but you shall certainly not sell her for money, you shall not mistreat her, because you have humbled her.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m sure in other ancient cultures they took women as slaves and concubines and gave them absolutely no rights, but this is not so in Israel. Remember, when we talked about the equality of women and the high standard of monogamy? When they conquered a nation, they could not just do with the women what they wanted. If they wanted to have intimate relations with them then they needed to marry them. The text says they needed to make the beautiful woman that captivated them his wife, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u>not slave</u></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Furthermore, to make sure you really wanted to marry the girl, she had to cut her hair and trim her nails, so that it wasn’t simply external. If you still wanted to make her your wife with how she looked after all that, then you needed to give her one month to mourn given all that has just taken place in her life. If you divorce her you cannot mistreat her and make her your slave or concubine. This is a far cry from objectification. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God gives women the ability to inherit land</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Numbers 27:6 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 7 “The daughters of Zelophehad are right in their statements. You shall surely give them a hereditary possession among their father’s brothers, and you shall transfer the inheritance of their father to them.”</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Women able to own property. Nuff said.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some Controversial Verses</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. Lev 12:1-5</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>‘When a woman gives birth and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean for seven days, as in the days of her menstruation she shall be unclean. 3 On the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. 4 Then she shall remain in the blood of her purification for thirty-three days; she shall not touch any consecrated thing, nor enter the sanctuary until the days of her purification are completed. 5 But if she bears a female child, then she shall be unclean for two weeks, as in her menstruation; and she shall remain in the blood of her purification for sixty-six days.</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Critics of the Bible complain here that b/c males have a shorter uncleanliness period, they must be more valuable than females.What is actually happening is that b/c the male have to become circumcised there is a longer wait for the female babies. In the pre-anesthesia days, this was definitely not in favor of males.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. Deut 22 28</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>“If a man finds a girl who is a virgin, who is not engaged, and seizes her and lies with her and they are discovered, 29 then the man who lay with her shall give to the girl’s father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall become his wife because he has violated her; he cannot divorce her all his days."</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is a horrible situation emotionally, spiritually, and physically. When a woman is raped or is divorced,as previously mentioned, it was extremely difficult for them to be married. Without marriage, women were in a dire economic situation. So what to do here in the instance of rape? Remember, there is no welfare or social security. Furthermore, only in recent times has society really married for romantic love. Marriages were arranged. Who in that society would arrange for their child to be married to her? Probably none, so the best thing to do for this unfortunate woman, so that her future is not totally decimated was to make the man who did this horrible thing to her take care of her forever. Note, there is an extra-stipulation here that she cannot be divorced, further reinforcing that she is taken care of by him. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Conclusion: </span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Anyone with a bias against the Bible can spin anything toward their own point-of-view. Some see OT as being hopelessly misogynistic, but I hope I have helped dispel that notion and show that much has been misunderstood, misinterpreted, or purposefully maligned. Part of the difficulty of understanding all this is having our 21st century mind has to be transported back over 3,000 years ago. As always, if we look a little deeper, we always see the justice, holiness, and love of our great God! May God give us the eyes to see the beauty of His Word. </span><br />
<span id="docs-internal-guid-6ba7ecdb-65da-bcfc-0bba-1553b38df8dd"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-6ba7ecdb-65da-bcfc-0bba-1553b38df8dd"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Psalm 119:18 Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law.</span></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-6ba7ecdb-65da-bcfc-0bba-1553b38df8dd">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span>The Predestined Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01587261989476613134noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197404598798041270.post-80854709427054897792012-07-16T10:05:00.000-05:002012-07-16T10:05:11.764-05:00The Problem of Hell and Those Who Never Heard About Jesus / The Gospel<b id="internal-source-marker_0.2558137176092714" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is one of the most frequently asked questions concerning salvation and there are several factors one must understand in order to fully appreciate the biblical answer. </span></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1) The first hindrance is the idea that we are born morally neutral, akin to a “tabula rasa,” but this is completely wrong. In reality, we are born sinful and are hence deserve the appropriate outcome for being sinners. The Bible is clear in saying that even from conception were are sinful: </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Psalm 51:5 “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity and in sin my mother conceived me.“</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and to make matters worse, we even inherited sin from our forefather Adam:</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Romans 5:12 “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned”</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2) The second idea that people have a hard time grasping is the idea of fairness. The main argument of why it is wrong for God to send people who never had a chance to hear about Jesus to hell is that it is “not fair.” Now, as we just learned, God is actually being fair because we are born into corruption and furthermore everyone has sinned:</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If everyone is born sinful and (even if they weren’t) all have sinned, God has not been unfair to anyone, but justly gives what is deserved. The only “unfair” thing God has done is that He actually let’s anyone go to heaven in the first place, because none of us deserve it! </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3) The third issue is that people say they never had a chance to know about God, but in fact the Bible makes clear that this is absolutely false. See what Paul says in the book of Romans:</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Romans 1:20 “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.”</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">See what is being said here? There is absolutely no excuse for not knowing God. In fact, even God’s invisible attributes can be seen from creation! </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4) Finally, it is a commonly held fallacy that people just go to hell for not believing in the Gospel. No one can go to heaven without accepting the Gospel, but this is different from saying the sole reason people go to hell is that they do not believe the Gospel. The reason anyone goes to hell is because of their sins. One of those sins may be that you have rejected and thus do not believe the Gospel that Jesus died for your sins and rose from the dead, however it is not the only sin for which one is sentenced to hell. The man who has genuinely never heard the Gospel, he will not be held guilty for rejecting the Gospel, but will nonetheless be guilty for the other sins he has committed. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In conclusion, </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For the one who has never heard the Gospel:</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1) In his innermost and in the totality of his being his is sinful from birth.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2) He has committed thousands, if not millions, of sins that any good judge must justly punish.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3) He has absolutely no excuse about not knowing about God’s attributes, power, or nature and is responsible for sinning despite having that knowledge.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4) Rejecting the Gospel will not be held against him, but he is still culpable for all his other sins.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Emotionally, this may at first be unsatisfying, but the truth and logic of it is sound and in accordance with the truth God has shown us. Remember that God did send His only Son to die on our behalf and that we can receive forgiveness of our sins and eternal life for free! This truth, once understood and accepted, brings more emotional and intellectual satisfaction than anything else can in the whole world.</span></b>The Predestined Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01587261989476613134noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197404598798041270.post-50249295969291288612012-07-11T11:34:00.002-05:002012-07-13T11:57:32.668-05:00I'm on Twitter Launch Article - Limited Atonement<b id="internal-source-marker_0.5521398682612926" style="font-weight: normal;"></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.5521398682612926" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></div>
<div style="display: inline !important;">
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.5521398682612926" style="font-weight: normal;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.5521398682612926" style="font-weight: normal;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.5521398682612926" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I decided for some reason or other to open a twitter account -- woohoo -- and in order to "celebrate" I have written a short article on limited atonement - Enjoy!</span></b></b></b></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"></b></div>
<div style="display: inline !important;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b></b></b></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My twitter account is <a href="https://twitter.com/PredestinedBlog">@PredestinedBlog</a> , not @thepredestinedblog, but the name of the twitter account is "The Predestined Blog" - confusing I know...</span><b id="internal-source-marker_0.5521398682612926" style="font-weight: normal;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b></b><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Quick introductory points</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is truly one of the most, if not the most, contentious petal of TULIP. One reason, I believe this is so is that limited atonement is an agreement within the Godhead (i.e. a meeting just between the Father, Son, and Spirit) itself. Whether they want to extend to atonement to all sins or to just the elect is a divine prerogative. The other 4 points are about the ability of man in some way:</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Total Depravity - Can man choose God?</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unconditional Election - Are there be conditions man must fulfill for salvation?</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Irresistible Grace - Can man refuse God?</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Perseverance of the Saints - Can man leave God?</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The most important point I want to emphasize is that for both sides of the coin (Calvinist side: Limited atonement / Particular redemption and Arminian side: Unlimited atonement / Universal redemption) the atonement is LIMITED in some aspect.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. The same amount of people go to heaven with either doctrine.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. The Calvinist side states the atonement is UNLIMITED in its power, scope, and reach, but God chooses to limit its efficacy to the elect.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. The Arminian side is LIMITED in its power because although “all sins” have been atoned for, it is not powerful enough to save all.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Repeat:</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Calvinist: The value of the atonement is unlimited and infinite because of the value of Jesus Christ, but it is efficacious only to the elect. It is like a rich person who has an infinite amount of money and has the chance to buy all the cars in the world, but decides to buy just all the American cars (to help our economy :P). He could have bought all the cars in the world, but planned to buy just the American ones. His plans are fulfilled (i.e his goal of buying all the American cars is attained).</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Arminian: The same rich person wants to buy all the cars in the world and pays for them, but is only able to obtain just the American ones, even though he really wants all of them. His plans are frustrated b/c he is limited only to the American cars (i.e he wants all the cars of the world, but cannot attain his goal).</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Main questions against limited atonement</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Q: Is it a real offer if the atonement is limited?</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A: First, Christ’s death did lead us to offer the Gospel freely. We do not know who is saved and thus Christians freely distribute the Gospel to everyone. Second, it is a true offer that we give b/c those who reject the gospel freely do so without any constraints b/c they voluntarily want to reject it. Finally, it is like a group complaining about how cruel it would be to torture unicorns. This would all be empty talk b/c there is no such thing as a unicorn! In the same way there is no one who wanted the Gospel and salvation and was not able to receive it b/c of limited atonement. Meaning, all the complaints about this not being fair falls flat b/c there is absolutely no one that wanted to be saved that was not saved. Just a lot of theory that does not approximate reality.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Q: What does take away the sins of the “whole world” and for “all men” mean?</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A: Please see here: </span><a href="http://www.thirdmill.org/files/english/html/th/TH.h.McLaughlin.LA.20.html"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">An Overview and Defense of the Reformed Doctrines of Salvation Limited Atonement, part 20 by Ra McLaughlin</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Basically, there are different uses of the “whole world” and “all men.” </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The “whole world” and “all” can have at least two senses:</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1) All without exception i.e. every single individual person</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2) All without distinction i.e. all kinds of people - men and women, Jews and gentiles, educated and uneducated, etc.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In regards to salvation, the Bible uses the 2nd definition frequently and we need to be careful not to automatically jump to either definition.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Other considerations</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. Sins of the Demons and Satan</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The sins of the demons and satan are not atoned for thus some sin is left unaccounted for in the universe. Further limiting, “unlimited” atonement. This is not an issue in the limited atonement view, but is for the universal redemption view.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. Double Jeopardy</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The idea of double jeopardy b/c God is punishing people for sins that are already paid for by Jesus. The common response of “they are being sent to hell for their unbelief” does not fly b/c unbelief in itself is a sin.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. Actuality of the Purchase</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The actuality of the purchase of Christ’s atonement. This is an important fact. When Jesus died did He actually pay for anyone’s sin? In the Arminian view, no one could be guaranteed salvation that day b/c no ones salvation was personally secured by Jesus on the cross. Your salvation is only secured after you profess faith and actually, in the true Arminian scheme, your faith is not secured even then b/c you can lose your salvation. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To clarify, in the Arminian view, if Jesus died for all sins in general, he did not die specifically for you, so on His death on the cross, He only potentially died for you, but did not actually die for you. He heroically paid for all sins, but did not specifically guarantee your salvation.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the Calvinist view, where Jesus died for the elect, Jesus actually did die for your personal sins on the cross and secured your individual salvation. Many people call this the “actuality of the purchase.” Only in the limited atonement view did Jesus secure anyone’s salvation on the cross.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4. Analogy of the Old Testament Sacrifices</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Old Testament sacrificial system, which foreshadows the cross, definitely favors a limited atonement view. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a) Individuals brought sacrifices to atone for their own personally sins and not for everyone. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">b) There were special events of the year (ie Day of Atonement / Yom Kippur) where the sacrifice was for the nation of Israel, but these were to atone for the sins of only Israel / God’s chosen people. This the perfect analogy for Christ’s death atoning for the sins of just the elect</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5. The Unpardonable Sin</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now, it makes little since for Jesus to die for a sin that cannot be pardoned. From the verses below, it is clear people who blaspheme the Holy Spirit cannot be forgiven, but if Jesus dies for their sin, why not? I believe this concept strongly favors the limited atonement view</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mark 3 28"Truly I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; 29but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin"--30because they were saying, "He has an unclean spirit."</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matthew 12</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 32"Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Verses in Support of Limited Atonement</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 Tim. 4:10 For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">especially of believers</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">John 17:9"I ask on their behalf;</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom You have given Me</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">; for they are Yours;</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matthew 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">many</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">." </span></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.5521398682612926" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-He does not give His life for all, but many </span></b></div>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.5521398682612926" style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mark 14:24 And He said to them, “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">many</span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-He does not pour out his blood for all, but many </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Links</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Additional Reading Material:</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Short: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(</span><a href="http://expositorythoughts.wordpress.com/2007/04/12/limited-atonement-sufficient-for-all-efficient-for-the-elect/"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Limited Atonement: Sufficient for All, Efficient for the Elect</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">)</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Longer:</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><a href="http://www.prca.org/fivepoints/chapter3.html"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Limited Atonement by Hoeksema</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><a href="http://vintage.aomin.org/Was%20Anyone%20Saved.html"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Was Anyone Saved at the Cross by Dr. James White</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Audio Lecture Links:</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Steve Lawson series (Highly Recommend):</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><a href="http://www.cfbcmobile.org/site/cpage.asp?cpage_id=421&sec_id=377&sa_action=mode_bible&sa_search=Ten--SPC--Reasons--SPC--Why--SPC--the--SPC--Bible--SPC--Tea"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.cfbcmobile.org/site/cpage.asp?cpage_id=421&sec_id=377&sa_action=mode_bible&sa_search=Ten--SPC--Reasons--SPC--Why--SPC--the--SPC--Bible--SPC--Tea</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">S. Lewis Johnson series (Highly Recommend):</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><a href="http://www.believerschapeldallas.org/temp/tapes/slj-69_systematic-theology/part-5.htm"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.believerschapeldallas.org/temp/tapes/slj-69_systematic-theology/part-5.htm</span></a></b>The Predestined Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01587261989476613134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197404598798041270.post-23716935470182024322011-01-08T19:58:00.005-06:002011-01-09T19:16:43.767-06:0010,000 Hits!<div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Wow, I am truly amazed, humbled, and thank God that this little website I originally created to be notes to myself has already received 10,000 hits! In commemoration, I have listed 10 online articles, online audio, and offline books, in no particular order, that have helped shaped the way I have thought and if you read them will make you smart (I promise!).</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">By the way, you really should be reading and listening to these resources instead of mine. </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Online Articles</u></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">1. <a href="http://www.biblebb.com/files/edwards/JE-sinners.htm">Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God by Jonathan Edwards</a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.19980543508698922" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2. <a href="http://www.ntslibrary.com/Salvation%20in%20the%20Old%20Testament.pdf">Salvation in the Old Testament</a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ntslibrary.com/Salvation%20in%20the%20Old%20Testament.pdf"> by John Feinberg</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3. <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/is-god-for-us-or-for-himself">Is God for Us or for Himself? by John Piper</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/articles/are-there-two-wills-in-god"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Are there Two Wills in God?</span> by John Piper</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">5.<a href="http://www.christiantruth.com/articles/bahnsen.html"> Is Sola Scriptura a Protestant Concoction </a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.christiantruth.com/articles/bahnsen.html">? by Greg Bahnsen</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">6. <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_1040382147">Justification</a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.christiantruth.com/articles/justificationandrome.html">: The Contrast Between the Biblical Teaching and Roman Catholicism By William Webster</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">7. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://vintage.aomin.org/natureofgod.html">The Nature of God - The Tri-Unity of God by James White</a></span> </div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">8. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/2404_The-Making-Disciples-of-All-Nations-Part-1?q=making+disciples+part+1"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Making Disciples of All Nations - Part 1</span> by John MacArthur</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">9. <a href="http://www.tms.edu/tmsj/tmsj14f.pdf">Spiritual Gifts: Definitions and Kinds by James F. Stitzinger</a> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">10.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="http://www.bible-researcher.com/canon1.html">A Brief Introduction to the Canon and Ancient Versions of Scripture by Michael Marlowe</a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u><span id="internal-source-marker_0.19980543508698922" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Online Audio</span></u></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1. <a href="http://www.resolved.org/media/">The Use of Your Time by Steve Lawson</a></span><span style="font-size: small;"> (go to 2005)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.resolved.org/media/">Interrogating the Legalist Within by C.J. Mahaney</a></span><span style="font-size: small;"> (go to 2005)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3. </span><span style="color: #96a4a6; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.resolved.org/media/">Why Gethsemane? by C.J. Mahaney</a> (go to 2005)</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4. <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_1040382189">History of Philosophy</a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://itunes.rts.edu/"> and Christian Thought by John Frame</a> (</span><span style="font-size: small;">access through itunes)</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">5. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.sljinstitute.net/sermons/doctrine/system_theology/systemtheo_master.html">Systematic Theology by S. Lewis Johnson</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">6. <a href="http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=82310202782">Crucifixion of Jesus by Steve Lawson</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">7.<a href="http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=52906154239"> A Sermon on </a></span><a href="http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=52906154239"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Matthew 7:13-27 by Paul Washer </span></span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">8. <a href="http://www.aomin.org/">James White’s Debates</a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.aomin.org/"> and Lectures on Textual Criticism</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">9. <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/">The Sermons of John Piper</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">10. <a href="http://www.gty.org/">The Sermons of John MacArthur</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Books</span></u></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1. Van Til’s Apologetic by Greg Bahnsen</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2. No One Like Him by John Feinberg</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3. The Many Faces of Evil by John Feinberg</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4. Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">5. The John MacArthur Study Bible by God and John MacArthur (of course!)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">6. The Cross Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">7. The History of the Work of Redemption by Jonathan Edwards</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">8. The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">9. Justification of God by John Piper</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">10. When I Don’t Desire God by John Piper</span></div>The Predestined Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01587261989476613134noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197404598798041270.post-87131915294318430282010-12-01T15:40:00.000-06:002010-12-01T15:40:08.417-06:00Quick UpdateLife has been crazy busy! So the blog has been on hold for quite some time.<br />
<br />
I have been able to squeeze out one more general article on the International House of Prayer (IHOP) that can be found on the Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry website here:<br />
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_371694408"><br />
</a><br />
<a href="http://www.carm.org/ihop">www.carm.org/ihop</a><br />
<br />
Otherwise, I have been gathering some materials I wrote for church and this blog and found I have basically completed my own (short) systematic theology, which I hope to post up here one day.<br />
<br />
If you are new to this blog the most read articles have been the ones on:<br />
<br />
1) IHOP<br />
<br />
2) Eschatology (Covenant Theology vs Dispensationalism)<br />
<br />
3) Church History and the Trinity<br />
<br />
4) Answering Gospel "Contradictions"The Predestined Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01587261989476613134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197404598798041270.post-43848029861691146092009-11-21T09:38:00.000-06:002009-11-21T09:38:54.600-06:00The Atheist AdvantageLet's say you have a population of Jewish, Muslim, Roman Catholic, and Evangelicals in a school and they wanted to be fair and not show favortism to one particular group. You could negotiate having Winter break to cover Christmas and Hanukkah. You could include Muslim holidays as vacations. Perhaps have clergy from each at the school for support. For the sake of argument, what if our nations population consisted of only these four groups? As far as the laws of the land go, we wouldn't give preference to any particular religion's ideas, in order to be fair. Take for instance marriage. For Evangelicals, divorce is allowed only on 2 grounds - one of which is adultery. We would not enforce that particular rule on everyone else b/c it is Evangelical specific. In order to be fair, the four groups would have to come up with various compromises.<br />
<br />
Now, let us consider the example of atheism/secular humanism/(radical) liberalism. This/These group(s) have their own specific philosophical ideologies, which I disagree with (obviously), however they have a benefit that the other aforementioned groups do not have and what I like to call <span style="color: black;">"</span><b><span style="color: blue;">The Atheist Advantage</span></b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">."</span></span> Though atheists have their own unique ideas, they can promote them in schools and government under the guise of "fairness" and "tolerance" b/c they are not a formal religion! Atheist's have their own creation story (evolution), own ethics (marriage), definition of life (abortion), and obviously their own metaphysic (materialism). <br />
<br />
So using our previous example, let's add on Atheists to the Jewish, Muslim, Roman Catholic, and Evangelical bunch. In schools and government, the push for evolution, marriage ethics, contraception (to a lesser degree), and prayer all just happen to benefit atheists. There is no compromise that I see and they are certainly not compromising their own beliefs, yet they want the rest of us to submit under their personal beliefs when they detest the idea of having our ideas become law. I think they would be angry if one groups agenda was being pushed all the way in the name of "tolerance", but they have no problem pushing their ideas on the rest. <br />
<br />
To make this clearer, let's take Christians vs Atheists beliefs:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Christian: Traditional Marriage vs Atheists: Homosexual Marriage<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Christian: Intelligent Design vs Atheists: Evolution<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Christian: Pro-Life vs Atheists: Pro-Choice<br />
</div><br />
The big difference between these two groups is that Christians believe in absolute truth and that marriage is between man and woman (no exceptions) and that life begins at conception. That is why it is so hard for us to budge on these topics and we are not ashamed to do so. Atheists however do not tout absolute truth, but (from what I hear anyway) is to make laws based on "tolerance, equality, and fairness" for all groups. However, as someone who holds very different views from them, it looks like they are not wanting "equality and fairness:"rather total domination. I do believe there should be compromise, for instance, I believe that homosexuals should be allowed to have civil unions and that one's partner (homosexual or straight) should be able to make health care decisions. I also believe that evolution should be taught in schools, but not as dogmatic truth (I wouldn't necessarily push teaching intelligent design even!). As for the topic of abortion there should be contraception education in schools and not just abstinence education, but furthermore there is also room for more discussions (banning 3rd trimester abortions, abortions in the case of endangerment of the mother's life, etc.). The thing that bothers me the most and the main thrust of this entry, is to point out that although atheists are promoting their own personal ideology onto the public, they are not perceived as pushing their personal beliefs b/c they are not part of an organized religion. This is what I call <b><span style="background-color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span></b><span style="background-color: white;"></span><span style="color: blue;"> <span style="color: black;">"</span><b>The Atheist Advantage</b><span style="color: black;">,"</span></span>a benefit that neither Jews, Muslims, Roman Catholics, or Evangelicals enjoy.<br />
<br />
[Note: Not all atheists of course, as there are many civil and open minded ones and I personally have had many fruitful discussions. Besides, I'm sure there are a number of atheists who have been bothered by a couple of evangelicals (yes, I'm including myself - sorry!)]The Predestined Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01587261989476613134noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197404598798041270.post-3844595871967560402009-04-29T09:39:00.001-05:002009-07-23T21:17:08.723-05:00PredestinationThis post has been long in coming. How can a theological blog named "The Predestined Blog" not have an entry on predestination you ask? Well the wait is finally over! Okay, I am fully aware that I am might be the only one that is excited. Anyways, on with the important information!<br />
<br />
There are just so so many blogs, articles, and books on this topic that I wanted to avoid simply repeating many of the arguments you can find easily via a google search. What I think would be helpful and the the goal of this entry would be to talk about the ways to approach the topic of predestination. In this post we will be discussing theological determinism and not physical/scientific determination. The question of free will in the physical sciences would be if the unchangeable laws of physics determine what molecules will do, how can humans genuinely have free will? This is also known as LaPlaceian or Russellian determinism, but we won't cover that here. <br />
<br />
<b>1) What does the Bible say?</b><br />
<br />
For Christians, the Bible is the ultimate authority and whatever it says is truth. So it is of paramount importance to find out what the Bible says. We know very well that Calvinists and Arminians have been discussing this for centuries and both sides use different verses to support their views. In short, after reading numerous books, articles, and debates what both sides boil down to is this:<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 40px;"><i>Calvinists want to glorify God by proclaiming He is the ruler and sovereign of all things<br />
<br />
Arminians want to glorify God by proclaiming that He has nothing to do with free agents going to Hell</i></div><br />
So what verses should we look at? This is where having a good approach is critical.<br />
<br />
<b>a)</b> <b>We need to examine verses that directly address the issue of predestination and not verses we can only make inferences from.</b><br />
<br />
This does not mean we do not take into consideration the other verses, only that the verses that directly tackle the topic should take priority over the others in this discussion.<br />
<b><br />
b) It is not our responsibility to reconcile predestination and free will.</b><br />
<br />
This is a very difficult topic. If they Bible teaches predestination and free will so be it! If you are not smart enough to reconcile the two it is not God's fault, especially when there are millions of books that beautifully do reconcile the two. All sarcasm aside, if we can determine that the Bible does support predestination then it is true, regardless of our intellectually ability to do so. Astrophysics or organic chemistry are still true whether we can do them or not.<br />
<br />
<b>Pertinent Bible Verses:</b><br />
<br />
Proverbs 20:24 <br />
Man's steps are <b>ordained</b> by the LORD, How then can man understand his way? <br />
<br />
Psalm 139: 16Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;<br />
And in Your book were all written<br />
<b>The days that were ordained for me,<br />
When as yet there was not one of them</b><br />
<br />
Acts 4:27"For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28<b>to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur</b>.<br />
<br />
Revelation 17:8"The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up out of the abyss and go to destruction And those who dwell on the earth, whose name has not been written in the book of life <b>from the foundation of the world</b>, will wonder when they see the beast, that he was and is not and will come<br />
<br />
Ephesians 1: 4just as <b>He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world</b>, that we would be holy and blameless before Him In love 5He <b>predestined us to adoption</b> as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, <br />
<br />
Romans 8:29For those whom He foreknew, <b>He also predestined </b>to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30and <b>these whom He predestined, He also called</b>; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. <br />
<br />
It is pretty evident that the Bible supports predestination especially when the word "predestined" is in there. Okay, yes I know English is not the original language, however both the OT and NT supports the idea that God made concrete plans before the world began and that those plans come to fruition in the world.<br />
<br />
Now a favorite trick critics tend to play is at this point to quote a millions verses describing man having free will and that they are culpable for their own sins. DO NOT FALL INTO THIS TRICK. Remember, the questions is about predestination, not man's free will. If the Bible supports both so be it. It is not our responsibility right now to reconcile the two (but we'll do that later).<br />
<br />
<b>2) Theory of Relativity</b><br />
<br />
<div>As a scientist (okay yes in biology, but I digress) this has influenced my thinking on the subject of predestination. How so? Well thanks to Einstein we know that time and space are relative. Simply put, depending on your frame of reference, what you perceive as 1 sec or 1 centimeter is not the same to someone in a different frame of reference (ie the same event can be 1 hour and 1 meter to you!) And you guys thought God's decree and man's choice was weird! To further complicate the issue the theory of relativity and quantum mechanics are not reconcilable though both have been rigorously tested and are accurate in their respective spheres. Relativity works incredibly well at a grand scale (think outer space) and quantum mechanics works well at a small scale (think subatomic), however scientists are unable to unify/reconcile them. <br />
<br />
What's the point of all this? It is that we simply do not have the metaphysical laws and principles to determine the impossibility of foreordination, man's choice, and culpability (FMCC) (more on this later). Who would've imagined 150 years ago that time and space were relative and not absolute? God is telling us that it is in fact possible for Him to decree things, yet man be free and culpable. Just as the theory of relativity has its scientific laws to explain it, FMCC has its metaphysical laws via the Bible, that explains it. </div><div></div><div>Just ponder this:</div><div></div><div>a) God is a being that no laws of science can bind b/c He is a spiritual being ie scientific laws govern only the physical universe.</div><div></div><div>b) We have no idea if God exists in time (let alone what his frame of reference is) and how it affects Him.</div><br />
Arminians love to say "If God predestined things, man cannot have genuine free will," however from what we have seen, they do not have enough metaphysical data to support that view. Besides, I believe that view does not encompass the current understanding of the relativity of time and is rooted in a poor and outdated point of view of the universe and philosophy.<br />
<div></div>Conclusion: <b>The Bible clearly supports predestination and free will and with all this taken together, we can conclude that we cannot strictly say that FMC is impossible from our frame of reference/point of view.</b><br />
<b><br />
3) Types of Will: People do not have the same definitions of free will</b><br />
<br />
I think it is important for us to ask ourselves what is free will? In this topic, one mistake I often find is that people assume they know what free will is, but when you ask them to articulate what it is, they are at a loss. That is because freedom is a very ambiguous term and as you might have guessed it is a very intellectually rigorous idea to study. We must ask and clarify how does one define free will and provide a defense. Let us examine some of the different views on what the will is. <br />
<br />
a) Libertarian Free Will <br />
<br />
This idea of the will states that all the events in the world that lead up to a point, combined with all the laws of science and metaphysics do not guarantee one possible choice.[1] No matter how strong the influences, you could always change your mind. Nothing can decisively incline the will.<br />
<br />
Nozick and Kane believe two key requirements of this idea are agent control and alternative possibilities [1]<br />
<br />
This is the enemy of predestination! However, we shall see that it is neither the only viable option, but is chocked full of incoherencies. <br />
<br />
b) Compatibilistic Free Will <br />
<br />
This idea of the will states that all the events in the world that lead up to a point and all the laws of science and metaphysics can guarantee one possible choice. [1] Sometimes circumstance and influences are so strong, you cannot just change your mind, yet that choice was something unconstrained, voluntary, and done according to ones desire. The question that is asked is <br />
<br />
<i>If free will is something other than unconstrained and voluntary actions done according to one's desire - what is it?</i><br />
<br />
We will delve more into this idea in the next section on foreordination and man's choice after we touch on a couple people who wrote great approaches to compatiblistic free will.<br />
<br />
A type of compatiblistic free will is championed by John Calvin.[1] Calvin identified 3 types of will:<br />
<br />
i) God's Will: Can only do good.<br />
<br />
ii) Pre-fall Adam & Eve's Will: Can do both good and evil.<br />
<br />
iii) Satan's Will: Can only do evil<br />
<br />
By definition, God has ultimate freedom and thus His will is the standard of true free will. Therefore of these 3 types of will, <b>the ability to do only good, is true free will</b>. The ability to do evil is a corruption of true will and is not a power in of itself. Hence, the ability to do only good is far greater freedom than the other two options. Philosophically we think that being able to do evil gives more freedom to the will, but Calvin (and I believe Augustine) were against this idea that being able to choose evil gave the will more freedom. Again, being able to do evil is a corruption of true free will.<br />
<br />
Someone might say that it sounds like God is not omnipotent b/c He cannot do evil. A helpful analogy by John Feinberg that helps us understand to understand what it means to do evil is to consider a cop shooting someone in cold blood and a cop shooting someone to save another life. [1] Although it was the exact same action, one was good and evil. So what does it mean for God to be unable to do evil? God certainly has the power to do everything, but He cannot do those actions with an evil intent. Remember in Calvin and Augustine's scheme, evil is a corrpution/lower level of goodness or power and God's actions are always perfect (ie not corrupt) and operate at the highest level of goodness and power. Obviously, Satan's will being able to do only evil is the worst.<br />
<br />
Another theologian and philosopher Jonathan Edwards (my favorite), wrote a great book called "Freedom of the Will" that I highly recommend. If you don't want to read the book, at least read this short article on it:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://thepredestinedblog.blogspot.com/2007/01/jonathan-edwards-on-freedom-of-will.html" id="m19g" title="Jonathan Edward's on the freedom of the will">Jonathan Edward's on The Freedom of the Will</a> <br />
<br />
It attacks libertarian free will in regards to how the will makes completely unhindered choices, how libertarian free will destroys virtue and vice, the misuses of philosophical vocabulary (like "impossible") in regards to the will, and the necessity of God being able to do only good and Satan being able to do only evil like Calvin.[2] He does a great job showing the incoherencies of libertarian free will.<br />
<br />
<b>4) Foreordination, Man's Choice, and Culpability (FMCC)</b><br />
<br />
When it comes to the issue of predestination there is one issue that must be addressed. <br />
<br />
It is the issue of the genuineness of our choices. If things are predetermined, do humans make choices that are their own? If not can they be held morally responsible? I call this the problem of God's foreordination, man's choice, and culpability (FMCC).<br />
<br />
One thing opponents of predestination always harp on is the idea of that free will must include alternative possibilities for true moral responsibility ie if there is only one choice to be had than the agent is not morally responsible b/c he was forced into an action involuntarily.<br />
<br />
<i>Frankfurt Situations</i><br />
<br />
Frankfurt situations argue against the thought that "we must be able to do otherwise." [1] In his influential paper appropriately titled "Alternative Possibilities and True Moral Responsibility" he discusses this topic at length. <br />
<br />
1) While sleeping Peter is taken into Paul's room. The person that took Peter there then locks the door so no one can get out, but nobody knows its locked. Peter knows that if he stays in the room when Paul wakes up, Paul will be mad. Peter decides to stay in the room. [1]<br />
<br />
2) Jones wants to kill Smith. Black wants to ensure that Jones kills Smith. Reynolds implants a device in Jones' head just in case Jones decides not to kill Smith that will make him kill Smith anyway. Jones desires to kill Smith and he does, thus Reynolds device was not used. [1]<br />
<br />
These examples are not intended to be strong or weak, but simply two examples that show just b/c the outcome would've been the same and the agent could not have done otherwise, he is still morally responsible, not to mention the fact that they were simply following their own desires.<br />
<br />
In Frankfurt's own words:<br />
<br />
"The following may all be true: there were circumstances that made it impossible for a person to avoid doing something; these circumstances actually played a role in bringing it about that he did it, so that it is correct to say that he did it because he could not have done otherwise; the person really wanted to do what he did; he did it because it was what he really wanted to do, so that it is not correct to say that he did what he did only because he could not have done otherwise. Under these conditions, the person may well be morally resonsible for what he has done." [3]<br />
<br />
Another thing we have to look into are constraints on the will that we normally do not take into account. No one would say antecedent events, natural laws, genetic makeup, and disposition are contrary to free will, yet they help determine and constrain our choices.[1] To the degree that these things limit us we should say that we are free. But therein lies the problem, these things that inherently limit our freedom, we don't count as limiting our freedom! The example I most often use is to ask yourself if you have the freedom to think like a 15th century French woman? Our will is so affected by our time, place, culture, and gender that our thoughts are constrained. This again shows that alternative choices can be limited, yet we can make genuine choices, yet be culpable.<br />
<br />
<i>Philosophical Vocabulary </i><br />
<br />
If you read the <a href="http://thepredestinedblog.blogspot.com/2007/01/jonathan-edwards-on-freedom-of-will.html">article I linked on Jonathan Edwards</a>, he mentions that people misunderstand and misuse terms such as "impossible," "can," or "cause. Also, when one word has multiple meanings, we often make the mistake of using the wrong meaning of the word.<br />
<br />
I think it is appropriate to discuss God's decree here. People often think that God's decree is a force that moves people along to do God's bidding. This is decisively wrong. God's decree is merely a blueprint, not a force pushing us to do things. <span style="color: black;">This decree is manifested via circumstances. Can God be blamed for us being in circumstances? It is hardly right to say that God should not place us in circumstances.</span><br />
<br />
Here are list of terms we misuse with their nuances. We will start off with "constraint" and "necessity."<br />
<br />
Constraint 1: Involves a force that doesn't entirely remove willing as in a bank robbery, substance induced altered mental states, etc. [1]<br />
<br />
Constraint 2: A force that removes willing altogether like being blindsided by a truck. You did not will to move from point A to be in this example. [1]<br />
<br />
Necessity 1: Things that are necessary in every possible world ie the existence of God (cannot be changed); perhaps things like the past which cannot be changed. [1]<br />
<br />
<b>Necessity 2</b>: Acting according to your internal nature. <br />
<div></div>Let's look at several examples of this. A teacher can physically remove you (1), threaten you and then you move (2), or give you an incentive such as an automatic "A" or a scholarship to leave a classroom (3). The first two (1 & 2) examples are Constraints 2 and 1 respectively, but the third one (3) is an example of Necessity 2, b/c the student was told he'd get an automatic "A" or that there was a scholarship lunch and b/c of his internal nature he was compelled to leave. <br />
<br />
Other examples of Necessity 2 is the story of the fox and the scorpion. A scorpion was swept away by the wind and had to cross a river to go back home. He saw a fox who was going to cross the river and asked for a ride. The fox was hesitant, but the scorpion told him why would he sting him if the fox is the only way across the river? The river was a little shaky, the scorpion got scared and stung the fox. The fox asked, "Why did you sting me?" And the scorpion said "I'm sorry. I got scared and I instinctively stung you. Its just my nature." Also, think about Batman and the Joker. No matter what, Batman will not kill anyone and no matter what the Joker will never be reformed no matter how many times he goes to jail or Arkham Asylum. Its necessary b/c of their internal nature.<br />
<div></div>Now<i><span style="font-style: normal;">, how can we say that w/ Necessity 2 the student, the scorpion, the Joker not held culpable? If we do things according to Necessity 2 how is God culpable? God who gives us physical, intellectual, and material blessings all over, with common grace, and yet we still sin in a Necessity 2 kind of manner. I think He is safe from blame. [1]</span></i><br />
<br />
Various factors, including one's character, disposition, experience, genes, surrounding, natural laws, etc. are antecedent to any choice, but as long as that choice is not constrained in sense 1 or 2 and is <b>done according to the agents wishes</b>, it is of one's own free will.<br />
<br />
Therefore an act can be (causally) determined, yet not constraining, and they are free b/c they are done voluntarily/according to the agents wishes<br />
<br />
What if God's ordination are like causal conditions and are not constraining in sense 1 or 2? Then we can see that man is culpable for his sins.<br />
<br />
Now let us look at the words "cause" and "can"<br />
<br />
<b>The 6 Senses of Cause by Lionel Kenner [1]</b><br />
<br />
1) Someone's comment caused me to doubt his sanity<br />
<br />
2) A police officer sent his subordinates to cause an arrest<br />
<br />
3) The causes of the fall of the Roman Empire or rise of communism.<br />
(These are instances of where giving the cause, gives the course of what is to be explained.)<br />
<br />
4) The cause of teenage pregnancy or drug addiction.<br />
(Social science sense of cause, not merely states of affairs, but motives and reasonings)<br />
<br />
5) The chance to see the Mona Lisa or the Sistine Chapel caused me to go to Europe.<br />
<br />
6) Natural causes: lightning causing a forest fire or kick to the face causing pain. <br />
<br />
Natural causes are the ones people attribute to FMCC, but we can see now that God's ordination is not analogous to a natural cause.<br />
<br />
Causes do not compel and the first five definitions of "causes" fit with FMCC model.<br />
<br />
<b>Different senses of can from John Canfield, Winston Nesbitt, and Stewart Candlish [1]</b><br />
<br />
1) I can dunk - ability<br />
2) I can go outside if I'm not in jail - opportunity<br />
3) I can drive 55 mph in a 70 mph zone - rule consistent<br />
4) I can jump off that bridge without getting hurt - ill-consequence free<br />
5) I can tell my subordinates to storm the pacific - authority<br />
6) I can spend this money b/c I have enough savings; you can't gamble with this money b/c it's all we have - reasonability<br />
7) I can go to the movies tonight - conditional<br />
8) I could've made a different choice no matter the antecedent conditions - libertarian/contra-causal "can"<br />
<br />
FMCC is compatible with 1-7, and 8 is incoherent (see the article on Jonathan Edwards').<br />
<b><br />
Conclusion</b><br />
<br />
I hope this helps brings some light onto this very difficult topic. Please read John Feinberg's brilliant "No One Like Him" to have a more complete understanding of the issue. Yes, I know I started out by saying that the goal of this entry was to give you a way of approaching this issue, but I felt we needed to have the necessary background and then go from there. So, now that you know all this, here is the outline of how to present it.<br />
<br />
1) Our priority is to determine what the Bible says not what we think.<br />
<br />
2) Explain that we need to examine verses that directly address the issue of predestination and not verses we can only make inferences from. Then pick the verses you want to present.<br />
<br />
3) Make sure to that they understand it is not our responsibility to reconcile predestination and free will, but merely find out if both are supported by Scripture.<br />
<br />
4) Talk about the theory of relativity and though intuitively time and length may seem absolute they are not and we have Einstein's theory's to show us. Likewise, predestination and freewill on the surface may seem to be incompatible, but we have the Bible that tells us otherwise.<br />
<br />
5) Mention that there are different types of wills and go over them.<br />
<br />
6) Talk about the main problem (FMCC) and then break it down. Explain that alternative choices are not necessary for free will (a la Frankfurt situations) and show how philosophical vocabulary (necessity, can, or cause) is often misused.<br />
<br />
This is not trying to be the end all for the discussion of predestination, but I hope it provided a unique approach and somethings that you were not thinking about. Hopefully, this entry will play a part in synthesizing your argument for predestination.<br />
<br />
<br />
______________<br />
<br />
Sources:<br />
<br />
[1] Feinberg, John.<i> No One Like Him. </i>Westchester, IL: Crossway Books, 2001<br />
<br />
[2] Edwards, Jonathan. <i>The Freedom of the Will</i>. 1754<br />
<br />
[3] Frakfurt, Harry. <i>Alternate Possibilities and Moral Responsibility</i>. The <i>Journal of Philosophy</i>, Vol. 66, No. 23. (Dec. 4, 1969), pp. 829-839The Predestined Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01587261989476613134noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197404598798041270.post-43792091929782630812009-02-24T09:13:00.003-06:002009-02-24T14:50:25.531-06:00Covenant Theology vs Dispensationalism: Israel and the Church<div class="MsoNormal">Review: The Church as a Replacement of Israel: An Analysis of Supersessionism: The Dissertation of Michael J. Vlach<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">Seem my post on <a href="http://thepredestinedblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/primer-on-eschatology-dispensationalism.html" id="hvd-" title="Eschatology: Covenant Theology vs Dispensationalism">Eschatology: Covenant Theology vs Dispensationalism</a> to become oriented to the issues described in this article.<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">Michael J. Vlach, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Theology at the Master's Seminary and has a website I frequent that can be found at <a href="http://www.theologicalstudies.org/">www.theologicalstudies.org</a>.<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">I was debating whether to purchase, “Continuity and Discontinuity” a festschrift for S. Lewis Johnson or Prof. Vlach’s Ph.D. dissertation. After much debate, I decided, “hey, why not get both?” I did and can say I do not regret the decision. However, if you do not have the time for both, I say get Vlach’s dissertation. It is shorter, but you get an excellent feel for the topic. One of the great things about this book is how eloquently and forcefully he argues for the other side. He almost made me covenant theologian! Okay, but seriously, he does not pull any punches and gives a very compelling and thorough presentation of the covenantal side. Point being, BUY HIS DISSERTATION by clicking <a href="http://www.theologicalstudies.org/page/page/1564212.htm" id="xjmw" title="here">here</a> .<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">I will try to briefly summarize my favorite points in his dissertation on this blog.</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">Dr. Vlach defines supersessionism (S) as "the view that the church is the new or true Israel that has permanently replaced or superseded national Israel as the people of God." (p. xv) This has been the normative perspective since very early on in the church and has recently been challenged and perhaps overtaken by nonsupersessionism. Nonsupersession (NS) is "the view that national Israel still has vital role and purpose in God's program." (p. 130) Whether one is S or NS has tremendous implications on how you read the Bible and one's own theology. The answer to this question will determine whether one is a follower of covenantal or dispensational theology.<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u>Historical Perspective<br /><br /></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">Dr. Vlach sites three main factors for the acceptance of the supersessionism in Christianity: (pp. 31-32)<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">1) The increasing Gentile composition of the church.<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">2) The church's perception of destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 and the failed Jewish revolt of Bar-Kokhba in A.D. 132 - 135 as God's judgment of the Jews.<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">3) A hermeneutical approach that allowed the church to appropriate Israel's promises to itself.</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">So, what factors have brought NS back into the spotlight?<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">1) The church's reevaluation of supersessionsim after the Holocaust and the establishment of the modern state of Israel. (pp. 70-71)<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">2) The rise of dispensational theology<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">The author makes an excellent point when he says that if S try to say "the weight of history" is on their side, than NS can say that recent history has shown that the great shift away from S should point into the favor of NS. (pp. 231-232)<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u>Biblical Perspective<br /><br /></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">In presenting the case for either side, Dr. Vlach breaks his case into two categories: hermeneutical and theological (pp. vii - xi)</div><br /><div><b>I. Hermeneutical Case for S</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>1) NT priority over the OT</b></div><div><br /></div><div>S believes that the NT writers "sometimes introduced change, alteration, or expansion to the original meaning of OT texts, including those that speak of national Israel's restoration... As a result of this priority of the New Testament, Old Testament texts that speak of Israel's restoration should not be understood literally. They should be read in the light of the New Testament." (pp. 87-88)</div><div><br /></div><div><b>2) Typological Interpretation</b></div><div><br /></div><div>S supports the use of typological interpretation which Vlach defines as "a hermeneutical approach that attempts to understand the connection between the Old and New Testaments based on the type/antitype relationships found in the two testaments." (p. 89) Critical to this idea is that the historical grammatical approach is not enough to understand what God is saying. (p. 91)</div><div><br /></div><div><b>3) Nonliteral Fulfillments of OT Passages</b></div><div><br /></div><div>S generally believes that the application of certain "Old Testament prophetic texts regarding Israel's restoration" or fulfilled in "nonliteral ways in the New Testament church." (p. 96) Verses commonly used to support this are.</div><div><br /></div>a) Acts 2:16-21 <div><br /></div><blockquote class="webkit-indent-blockquote" style="border: medium none ; margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 40px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size:xx-small;">16but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: </span><br /><span style="font-size:xx-small;">17'AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,' God says,</span><br /><span style="font-size:xx-small;">'THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND;</span><br /><span style="font-size:xx-small;">AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY,</span><br /><span style="font-size:xx-small;">AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS,</span><br /><span style="font-size:xx-small;">AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS; </span><br /><span style="font-size:xx-small;">18EVEN ON MY BONDSLAVES, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN,</span><br /><span style="font-size:xx-small;">I WILL IN THOSE DAYS POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT</span><br /><span style="font-size:xx-small;">And they shall prophesy.</span><br /><span style="font-size:xx-small;">19'AND I WILL GRANT WONDERS IN THE SKY ABOVE</span><br /><span style="font-size:xx-small;">AND SIGNS ON THE EARTH BELOW,</span><br /><span style="font-size:xx-small;">BLOOD, AND FIRE, AND VAPOR OF SMOKE. </span><br /><span style="font-size:xx-small;">20'THE SUN WILL BE TURNED INTO DARKNESS</span><br /><span style="font-size:xx-small;">AND THE MOON INTO BLOOD,</span><br /><span style="font-size:xx-small;">BEFORE THE GREAT AND GLORIOUS DAY OF THE LORD SHALL COME. </span><br /><span style="font-size:xx-small;">21'AND IT SHALL BE THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.'</span><br /></blockquote><div><br /></div><div>Here Dr. Vlach quotes Joseph A. Fitzmeyer who says of Peter's use of Joel, "Thus God's people will take a new shape under the guidance of the Spirit,; Israel itself will be reconstituted." (p.97)</div><div><br /></div><div>b) Acts 15:15-18 </div><div><br /></div><blockquote class="webkit-indent-blockquote" style="border: medium none ; margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 40px; padding: 0px;">15"With this the words of the Prophets agree, just as it is written,<br />16'AFTER THESE THINGS I will return,<br />AND I WILL REBUILD THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID WHICH HAS FALLEN,<br />AND I WILL REBUILD ITS RUINS,<br />AND I WILL RESTORE IT,<br />17SO THAT THE REST OF MANKIND MAY SEEK THE LORD,<br />AND ALL THE GENTILES WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME,'<br />18SAYS THE LORD, WHO MAKES THESE THINGS KNOWN FROM LONG AGO.<br /></blockquote><div><br /></div><div>Scholar's, like Anthony Hoekema and F.F. Bruce, support the idea that James, by quoting Amos 9:11-12 at the Jerusalem council, identifies the church as Israel. (p. 98)</div><div><br /></div><div>c) Romans 9:24-26</div><div><br /></div><blockquote class="webkit-indent-blockquote" style="border: medium none ; margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 40px; padding: 0px;">24even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles.<br />25As He says also in Hosea,<br />"I WILL CALL THOSE WHO WERE NOT MY PEOPLE, 'MY PEOPLE,'<br />AND HER WHO WAS NOT BELOVED, 'BELOVED.'"<br />26"AND IT SHALL BE THAT IN THE PLACE WHERE IT WAS SAID TO THEM, 'YOU ARE NOT MY PEOPLE,'<br />THERE THEY SHALL BE CALLED SONS OF THE LIVING GOD."<br /></blockquote><div><br /></div><div>Quoting G.E. Ladd "Paul deliberately takes these two prophecies about the future salvation of Israel and applies them to the church. The church consisting of Jews and Gentiles has become the people of God. The prophecies of Hosea are fulfilled in the Christian church." (p. 99)</div><div><br /></div><div><b>II. Theological Case for S</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>1. Permanent Rejection of Israel</b></div><div><br /></div><div>S sees the NT, describing a permanent rejection of the Jewish people and uses several verses to support this notion.</div><div><br /></div><div>a) Matthew 21:43 "Therefore I say to you, the <b>kingdom of God</b> will be <b>taken away from you</b> and <b>gi</b><b>ven to a people, producing the fruit of it.</b>"</div><div><br /></div>b) Romans 11:26 "and so <b>all Israel</b> will be saved; just as it is written, "THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB"<br /><div><br /></div><div>S generally believe that the "all Israel" here are the people of faith, "the true Israel" that is now the church.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>2. New Testament Silence</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The NT's "lack of an explicit reference to a restoration of national Israel in the New Testament is additional proof that Israel has been superseded by the church." (p. 108)</div><div><br /></div><div><b>3. Application of Israelite Imagery to the Church</b></div><div><br /></div><div>S note the use of common OT descriptions of Israel are no being applied to the church in these verses:</div><div><br /></div>a) Galatians 6:16 And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.<br /><br />b) Romans 9:6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel;<br /><br />c) Romans 2:28For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. 29But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.<br /><br />d) 1 Peter 2:9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.<br /><br />e)Galatians 3:7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham... 29And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise.<br /><div><br /></div><div><b>4. Equality Between Jews and Gentiles</b></div><div><br /></div><div>a) Ephesians 2:11-22</div><br /><blockquote class="webkit-indent-blockquote" style="border: medium none ; margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 40px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size:xx-small;">11Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by the so-called "Circumcision," which is performed in the flesh by human hands--12remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, 16and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. 17AND HE CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY, AND PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR; 18for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. 19So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, 20having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.</span><br /></blockquote><div><br /></div><div>Many S see this as the "incorporation of believing Gentiles into Israel" (pp. 122-123) and that it "argues against any future role for national Israel in the plan of God."</div><div><br /></div><div>b) Romans 11:17-24</div><br /><blockquote class="webkit-indent-blockquote" style="border: medium none ; margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 40px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size:xx-small;">17But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, 18do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. 19You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in." 20Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith Do not be conceited, but fear; 21for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. 22Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God's kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. 23And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branch</span><br /></blockquote><div><br /></div><div>These verses are used to show that "Jews and Gentiles are said to belong to the same place of blessing which includes the promises and covenants associated with Abraham and the Jewish patriarchs." (p. 124)</div><div><br /></div><div><b>5. Church's Relationship to the New Covenant</b></div><div><br /></div><div>a) Heb 8:8-13</div><br /><blockquote class="webkit-indent-blockquote" style="border: medium none ; margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 40px; padding: 0px;">8For finding fault with them, He says,<br />"BEHOLD, DAYS ARE COMING, SAYS THE LORD,<br />WHEN I WILL EFFECT A NEW COVENANT<br />WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND WITH THE HOUSE OF JUDAH;<br />9NOT LIKE THE COVENANT WHICH I MADE WITH THEIR FATHERS<br />ON THE DAY WHEN I TOOK THEM BY THE HAND<br />TO LEAD THEM OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT;<br />FOR THEY DID NOT CONTINUE IN MY COVENANT,<br />AND I DID NOT CARE FOR THEM, SAYS THE LORD.<br />10"FOR THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL<br />AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD:<br />I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR MINDS,<br />AND I WILL WRITE THEM ON THEIR HEARTS.<br />AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD,<br />AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.<br />11"AND THEY SHALL NOT TEACH EVERYONE HIS FELLOW CITIZEN,<br />AND EVERYONE HIS BROTHER, SAYING, 'KNOW THE LORD,'<br />FOR ALL WILL KNOW ME,<br />FROM THE LEAST TO THE GREATEST OF THEM.<br />12"FOR I WILL BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR INIQUITIES,<br />AND I WILL REMEMBER THEIR SINS NO MORE."</blockquote><blockquote class="webkit-indent-blockquote" style="border: medium none ; margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 40px; padding: 0px;">13When He said, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear.<br /></blockquote><div><br /></div><div>Since the original application of the New Covenant in Jeremiah 31 was to Israel, yet in Hebrews 8 it find its fulfillment with the church, many S believe see this as further evidence that the church is the new Israel. (pp. 125-126)</div><div><br /></div><div><b>III. Hermeneutical Case for NS</b></div><div><br /></div><div>1. Belief that OT texts need to be interpreted in their own right and not reinterpreted by the NT</div><div><br /></div><div>NS "assert that Old Testament texts, as understood within their historical grammatical contexts, must be the starting point for understanding God's plans for national Israel." (p. 134)</div><div><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><b>2. Progressive revelation does not cancel unconditional promises to Israel</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;">Dr. Vlach says that according to John Feinberg as saying "if an Old Testament promise is made unconditionally with a specific group such as Israel, then that promise must be fulfilled with that group." (p. 137) Then quoting Paul Feinberg "How can the integrity of the OT text be maintained?" and "How can God be truthful and change the meaning of His promises?"<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><b>3. National Israel does not function as a type that is transcended by the Church</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;">Though their may be some typological connection "unconditional promises, and the people with whom the promises were made are not types." (p. 140).<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><b>4. OT promises can have a double fulfillment or application with both Israel and the Church</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The original promises made to Israel can find extensions into the church and are not abrogated as a result. Rather, the original promises to Israel still stand.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>IV. Theological Case for NS</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>1. New Testament Keeps Israel and the Church Distinct</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Dr. Vlach points out that the NT writers, even after the establishment of the church, uses the term "Israel" as a separate entity and a name that "is related to the 'national covenant people of the OT." (p. 145)</div><div><br /></div><div><b>2. New Testament Affirms a Future for National Israel</b></div><div><br /></div>a) Matthew 19:28 (Luke 22:30)<br /><br />28And Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon <b>twelve thrones</b>, j<b>udging the twelve tribes of Israel</b>." <div><br /><div>Jesus here explains that the 12 apostles will one day rule over a national Israel.<br /><br />b) Matthew 23:37-39 (Luke 13:34-35) <div><br />37"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.<br />38"Behold, your house is being left to you desolate!<br />39"For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me <b>until you say</b>, 'BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!'"<br /><br /></div><div>The proclamation "Blessed .. name of the LORD" is from Psalm 118:26. This indicates the "joyful welcome of Jesus by the Jews with the <i>parousia</i> [second coming] and the restoration of Israel."</div><div><br />c) Luke 21:24<br /><br />24and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles <b>until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled</b>.</div><div><br /></div><div>It seems here that Jesus is affirming that God has a set time period for the gentiles that is limited in duration. After this God will start His restoration program for Israel. Paul echoes this idea in Romans 11:25 <span style="font-family:'Charis SIL';"><b><span style="font-size:xx-small;">"</span></b></span>For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery--so that you will not be wise in your own estimation--that a <b>partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles</b> has come in;"<br /><br /></div><div>d) Acts 1:6-7<br /><br />6So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, "<b>Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?</b>"<br />7He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority;</div><div><br /></div><div>Many people have pointed out that after 40 days of instruction from our Lord Jesus Christ, the disciples were still wondering about the restoration of Israel! Dr. Vlach notes that NS "also believe that the lack of correction from Jesus in Acts 1:7 is validation that the disciples were correct in their beliefs about Israel's restoration." (p. 161)<br /><br />e) Romans 11<br /></div><br /></div>This chapter is broken down into 3 main points.</div><div><br /></div><div>i) Explicit affirmation "that national Israel has not been cast aside from the plan of God" (p. 162)</div><div><br /></div><div>Romans 11:1-2a</div><div><br /></div>1 I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be!... 2God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew<br /><div><br /></div><div>ii) "Explicit declaration that Israel will experience a national restoration at some point in the future" (p. 163)</div><div><br /></div>Romans 11:26 and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written,<br />"THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION,<br />HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB."<br />27"THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM,<br />WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS."<br /><div><br /></div><div><br />iii) NS believes that "Rom 11:27-28 ties Israel's salvation and restoration to the promises of the new covenant in the Old Testament" (p. 163)<br /><br />Romans 11:27-28<br /><br />27"THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM,<br />WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS."<br />28From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God's choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers;<br /><br /></div><div><b>3. Fulfillment of New Covenant With Church and Israel</b></div><div> </div><div>a. B/c the Church participates in the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant, this does not "abrogate the remaining covenant promises of a national nature, which will find their fulfillment for [in] Israel." (p. 169)</div><div> </div><div>b. An "already/not yet" aspect of the New Covenant. (p. 169) Remember, the messianic age ushers in the New Covenant, and the church is privy to the spiritual aspects of it (ie creation of a new heart, indwelling of the Spirit, forgiveness, etc.).</div><div> </div><div>c. The Church has not received all the physical promises given to Israel only the spiritual. This is further evidence that the Church is not the complete fulfillment of the New Covenant.<br /></div><div><u><b><br />Final Analysis</b></u><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>V. Critique of S</b></div><div> </div><div class="MsoNormal">Hermeneutics</div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal">1. Precedence of the NT over the OT<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">a. Casts doubt on the integrity of the OT texts and "one may rightly wonder in what sense the Old Testament revelations were actually revelations to the original readers of the promise.(p. 178)<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">b. "Does not adequately account for Old Testament texts that explicitly promise the perpetuity of Israel as a nation." (p. 179)<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">2. National Israel as a type for the Church</div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal">b. Though there is significant connection between the two, there is insufficient evidence to show that the Church has transcended Israel. Especially, with all the verses that affirm a national restoration.<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">3. Nonliteral fulfillment of OT texts</div><br /><div>a. As we have seen, certain NT texts affirm the OT expectations for Israel.</div><div><br /></div><div>Theological<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div>1. National Israel's Permanent Rejection<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div>a. Matthew 21:43 speaks taking away the Kingdom from the ruling class and giving to the people. In v. 46 the religious leaders believe Jesus in talking about them and "Saldarini points out that theologians who interpret 'nation' as teh church 'are reading in second-century Christian theology' " b/c exegetical it is unfeasible that the "nation" whom Jesus talks about is the Church. (p. 184)<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div>b. For arguments against Romans 11:26, see Romans 11 section above.<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div>2. NT Silence<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div>a. First, it is important to note that there are statements that imply a future restoration for Israel.<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div>b. Secondly, as S. Lewis Johnson says, "There is no need to repeat what is copiously spread over the pages of the Scriptures" (p. 189) therefore matters "discussed in the Old Testament should not be taken to mean ... [they have] been dropped or transformed. (p. 189)<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div>3. Application of "Israel" language.<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div>This in no way proofs S or excludes NS. The best argument put forth comes from Galatians 6:16 with Pual's statemet "Israel of God." This does not have to mean the church and there are better explanations such as "To show that his [Paul's] harsh attitude to the Judaizers did not extend to the true Jewish believers, he reaches out to these Jewish believers and calls them the 'Israel of God.' " (p. 193)</div><div><br /><b>VI. Critique of NS<br /><br /></b></div><div> </div><div>Hermeneutics<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div>1. Belief that OT texts need to be interpreted in their own right and not reinterpreted by the NT<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div>a. Though there may be additional applications or fulfillments and even recognizing that the NT does not use the OT in ways that are entirely consistent with the OT author's intent, "Yet to maintain the integrity of the Old Testament texts and their revelatory value, the historical-grammatical contexts of these passages must be given serious consideration..." (p. 211)<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div class="MsoNormal">2. Progressive revelation does not cancel unconditional promises to Israel<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal">a. As Paul states in Romans 11:29 "for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." Dr. Vlach quotes House who says "Those who believe that the church has somehow taken over the blessings of Israel must explain the revoking of these apparently irrevocable callings of God on His people." (p. 213)<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal">b. We must keep in mind that these OT promises can have a double fulfillment: presently in the church and in the future with Israel.<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div>Theological<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div>1. Distinction between Israel and the Church<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div>a. Galatians 6:16 poses the most serious challenge, but that has been addressed above.<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div>2. NT Affirms a Future for Israel<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div>a. Matthew nor Luke never sees the Church as the "new Israel." This is almost always read back into the verses we mentioned above.<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div>3. New Covenant for both Israel and the Church<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div>a. When looking at Romans 11:27, it quotes Jeremiah 31:34. As Murray puts it, "There should be no question but [sic] Paul regards these Old Testament passages as applicable to the restoration of Israel." (p. 227).</div><div><br />VII. Conclusion<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div>From this study, I believe that NS is much closer to the Biblical witness. I'm not saying there are no problems or that S is a weak argument, but I can confidently say NS is far closer to what the Scriptures say. S seem to depend a lot on having to interpret certain verses (ie Galatians 6:16) in certain ways, when there are often other alternative (and in my estimation) better interpretations.<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div>Also, the OT verses that state that Israel and the gentiles will all worship God, take a very strange meaning if all believers are considered Israel - for who would the gentiles then be?<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Zephaniah 3:20"At that time I will bring you in,<br />Even at the time when I gather you together;<br />Indeed, I will give you renown and praise<br />Among all the peoples of the earth,<br />When I restore your fortunes before your eyes,"<br />Says the LORD.<br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Isaiah 2:3 Many peoples will come and say,<br />"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,<br />to the house of the God of Jacob.<br />He will teach us his ways,<br />so that we may walk in his paths."<br />The law will go out from Zion,<br />the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.<br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Micah 4:2 Many nations will come and say,<br />"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,<br />to the house of the God of Jacob.<br />He will teach us his ways,<br />so that we may walk in his paths."<br />The law will go out from Zion,<br />the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.<br />3 He will judge between many peoples<br />and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide.<br />They will beat their swords into plowshares<br />and their spears into pruning hooks.<br />Nation will not take up sword against nation,<br />nor will they train for war anymore.</span><br /></div><div><br />There are many other verses like these, that support NS.<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div>I would like to end with a final quote from Dr. Vlach's paper:</div><div> </div><div>"Because of the many complex issues involved with this issue and the significant number of theologians on both sides of the debate, we suggest that caution and humility permeate all discussions about superssesionism." (p. 175)<br /><br />_________________<br /><br />Vlach, Michael. “The Church as a Replacement of Israel: An Analysis of Supersessionism.” Ph.D. dissertation, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2004.<br /></div><br />All Bible quotes from the NASB via www.biblegateway.com<br /><div> </div>The Predestined Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01587261989476613134noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197404598798041270.post-8814131096193132432009-02-04T19:56:00.018-06:002009-02-24T14:54:12.758-06:00A Primer on Eschatology: Covenant Theology vs Dispensationalism<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Eschatology, which means “study of the last things” and oddly enough it is usually the topic Christians avoid and study last b/c it is so difficult. Though I am a dispensationalist, this post is not intended to be an argument for either side, rather a simple orientation so we can have a better idea of what each side believes. Hopefully, this post will help out some other confused individuals out there. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><u>I. Covenant Theology (CT)</u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The basis of CT is the idea that, as William VanGemeren puts it, “Single plan of God, confirmed in the one mediator Jesus Christ”. [1] </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">This via 3 Covenants:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">1) <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">The Covenant of Grace</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">God has one plan of salvation , one mediator, and one eschatological plan all men share. [1]</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">2) <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">The Covenant of Redemption</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"> A <span class="ds1">specific agreement between the Father and the Son that they would exalt each other in the following way: the Father would honor the Son by sending him to save lost sinners through a penal self-sacrifice leading to a cosmic reign in which the central activity would be the imparting to sinners through the Holy Spirit of the redemption he won for them; and the Son would honor the Father by becoming the Father's love-gift to sinners and by leading them through the Spirit to trust, love and glorify the Father on the model of his own obedience to the Father's will. [2]</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">3) <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">The Covenant of Works</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Whereby God undertook to prolong and augment for all subsequent humanity the happy state in which he had made the first human pair -- provided that the man observed, as part of the humble obedience that was then natural to him, one prohibition, specified in the narrative as not eating a forbidden fruit. The penal sanctions of which was the loss of good and corruption of nature. [2]</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><u>II. Continuity Between the Two Testaments</u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">CT sees a more continuous relationship between the two testaments. This stems from the idea of God having a singular plan (ie the 3 Covenants) for His elect.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">1: The Tale of Two kingdoms: The Kingdom of God vs the Kingdom of Satan</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Dr. John Currid of RTS would like for us to view the Bible with “Seed theology,” that is through an unfolding of the story between the Seed of the Woman and the Seed of the Serpent. [3] This starts from Genesis 3:15 and thus the world history as well as the Bible’s story is one that should be seen in a redemptive-historical perspective. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">2. Supersessionism: Israel and the Church are one</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Church has superseded Israel and some view Israel as a type of the Church. One of the major motivating factors of this is that God has one Kingdom who He has given the Covenants to and thus He only has one people the Church.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">3. Continuity between the Law of Moses and the Law of Christ</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">God gives His law to his covenanted people to establish a personal bond. The Law of Moses and the Law of Christ are not different. However, under Christ. the law is newly administered and more deeply expounded. There is discontinuity in its form or shape, but not in its essence. [4]<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">4. The Content of Faith</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Though both camps believe that the saving work of Jesus Christ is the basis of all salvation, CT believes that ever since Adam and Eve, the content (not basis) of saving faith was the gospel - the message that Jesus Christ would be the redeemer. Though, it was not as fully known to all, it has been the basic message of Jesus Christ as the Savior that saves throughout all generations. [5]</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">5. The Conditionality of the Biblical Covenants (Abrahamic, Davidic, etc.)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">As a gross generalization, CT sees the Biblical covenants as conditional and dispensationalists see them as unconditional.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><u>III. Hermeneutics of CT</u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Three hermeneutical beliefs [6]</p> <p class="MsoNormal">a. Precedence of the NT over the OT</p> <p class="MsoNormal">b. National Israel as a type for the Church</p> <p class="MsoNormal">c. Nonliteral fulfillment of OT texts</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><u>IV. Views on The Millenium </u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i>Note: When Christians talk about amillennialism, postmillennialism, and premillennialism, the point of reference is the second coming of Jesus Christ, not the Rapture. So a “premillennialist” would believe that the second coming is before the millennial kingdom, “post” would be believe that Jesus is coming after the millennial kingdom (though they do not believe in a literal 1,000 year kingdom), and “amillennialist” would not believe in an earthly millennial kingdom. I mention this b/c this is often confused with the terms “pretribulation”, “midtribulation”, and “postribulation” which refer to the timing of the Rapture, not the second coming.</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">i. Amillennialism [7]<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">1. Promises to Israel are spiritual and typical</p> <p class="MsoNormal">2. Promises are fulfilled in Christ's reign of the Church now and in the eternal state. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">3. Israel has lost their privilege</p> <p class="MsoNormal">4. Some believe there will be a large in pouring of Jewish believers one day.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">ii. Postmillennialism [7]<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">1. Gospel will be spread through out the earth and spiritual and material blessings will come to all people. Then Christ will come.</p><p class="MsoNormal">2. Promises to Israel are spiritual and typical</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">iii. Non-dispensational Premillennialism [7]<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">1. Literal 1,000 year reign of Christ, but without a specific Jewish Emphasis.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">2. +/- a great ingathering of Jewish believers, but not a restoration of the nation-state of Israel.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><u>V. Timeline of History</u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Both CT and dispensationalism separate the world’s history into different eras. Klooster a CT, has divided history into the following categories: [5]</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i> </i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i>Ethnic Universalism</i><br /><br />1. Pre-Fall</p><p class="MsoNormal">a. Covenant of Works<br />b. Covenant of Grace (protoevangelion)<br />c. Start the Seed of the serpent vs Seed of the woman<br /><br />2. The Fall and Two Kingdoms</p><p class="MsoNormal">a. Cain vs Abel<br /><br />3. The Flood and Babel<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">i. Flood<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">a. The sons of God and the sons of men intermingling, endangering the promise in Gen 3:15 and the Kingdom of God (remember by then only Noah was righteous), therefore God sends a flood to wipe out the kingdom of the serpent.<br />b. The Noahic covenant was not a new dispensation, but an elaboration of the ruling task of Adam, now in a postdiluvian (postflood) era.<br /><br /><i>Ethnic Particularism</i><br /><br />ii. Babel</p><p class="MsoNormal">a. The kingdom of the serpent in a new apostasy, however God promised never to flood the earth again. So He confuses their language.<br />b. End of ethnic universalism<br />c. Pentecost is the redemptive counterpart, where all the nations are now united via Christ.<br /><br />4. Abraham and the Patriarchs<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">a. God's Kingdom is now moved onto Abraham and Israel<br />b. Abraham and Israel are chosen by God to birth the Redeemer-King.<br />c. The diversity of God's actions promotes one redemptive program.<br />d. Institution of the First Sacrament - Circumcision (looks forward to Christ)<br /><br />5. Theocratic Kingdom of Israel: Exodus to the end of the OT<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">a. Institution of the Second Sacrament - Passover (looks forward to Christ)<br />b. Moses as covenant mediator with Israel parallels Christ as covenant mediator with the Church.<br /><br /><i>Intertestamental Period</i><br /><br />6. Inauguration of the Messianic Kingdom<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">a. All the covenant promises fulfilled in Christ.<br />b. With the veil torn the Levitical (Phineas) covenant was fulfilled.<br />c. New covenant starts<br />d. The new sacraments of baptism and communion instituted (looks back at Christ).<br /><br />7. Pentecost to the end of the NT<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">a. The Church is not a parenthesis, but an administrator of the covenant sacraments and keeper of the keys of the Kingdom.<br />b. Already and not yet aspects of the Kingdom.<br />c. Christ is ruling right now.<br /><br />8. The second coming and the consummation of the Kingdom<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">a. The Kingdom of Christ will win over the World and than Christ will come.<br /><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><u>I. Dispensationalism (D)<br /></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">One of the most often quoted and influential members of Dispensationalism (D) is Dr. Charles Ryrie who says there are three necessary conditions for D: [8]</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">1) The distinction between Israel and the church</p> <p class="MsoNormal">2) The usage of a system of literal hermeneutics</p> <p class="MsoNormal">3) The belief that the underlying purpose of God in the world is to produce his glory.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Dr. John Feinberg gives us a more in depth analysis of the essentials of D. [7]</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>A. Recognizing multiple senses of words like "Jew," "Israel," and "Abraham's seed."</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">i. These are used in a genetic, political, spiritual, and typological sense and no sense is more important (especially spiritual) or cancels another. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>B. Hermeneutics </b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">i. The progress of revelation and the OT vs NT priority: </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">CT as we have seen, read the OT reinterpreted in light of the NT, but this is vice versa for Dispensationalism. NT has priority for CT b/c the OT was the shadow and NT the fulfillment, so the claim that you should take the clear revelation (NT) to understand the hidden (OT). D believes that the promises of the OT (ie to Israel) are clear and not all typological and remain unfulfilled in the NT. Therefore they are not canceled b/c unconditional promises of God can never be canceled. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">ii. NT use of the OT, and typology. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Types are not allegories or symbolize that lose their meaning later. Types are rooted in historical facts. The NT writers never explicitly say that they cancel out the original meaning and different NT writers use the same OT verses differently. Double or multiple fulfillment of certain prophecies are the issue here, not their cancellation.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>C. Unconditionality of the Biblical covenants (Abrahamic, Davidic, etc.). </b> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Covenants are not only spiritual, but social, economic, and political as well. They can extend to others (ie New Covenant onto Gentiles), but its primary fulfillment is to Israel. One should not emphasize only one aspect of the covenant (ie spiritual) at the expense of the other aspects.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Again, as a gross generalization, C sees the covenants as conditional and D as unconditional.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>D. Distinctive future for ethnic Israel</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">1. A belief in premillenialism with a distinctive Jewish emphasis is prominent<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">2. OT and tribulation saints are part of the Kingdom</p> <p class="MsoNormal">3. Some believe the fulfillment is all in the future (classical D) and others believe some spiritual aspects are happening now (progressive D) ie the Kingdom here/now hypothesis.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>E. The Church is a distinctive organism (from Israel) that began at Pentecost and is united with Christ.</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>F. Philosophy of History</b></p><p class="MsoNormal">The more one stresses redemptive history to the exclusion of God's other work, the more one is C. The more one stresses God's multi-faceted work in history, the more one is D.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>G. Things Not Essential to Dispensationalism</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">a. Dispensations are not essential to dispensationalism </p> <p class="MsoNormal">b. The idea that each dispensation is a test and failure nor the number of dispensations one holds is not essential<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">c. Calvinism or Arminianism</p> <p class="MsoNormal">d. One's understanding of the law</p> <p class="MsoNormal">e. A belief in multiple ways of salvation (This is in fact a misunderstanding of D thought and emphatically denied by many). [8]</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><u>II. Discontinuity Between the Two Testaments</u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">As we can see from the essentials, D sees a more discontinuous relationship between the two testaments.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">1: The Tale of Two People: Israel and the Church</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">D believes that God has two separate programs: one for Israel and one for the Church. The predominant view is that God used Israel from Abraham until Pentecost. From Pentecost to the Rapture, God will use the Church. After the Rapture, God will restart His program with Israel and His promises for Israel will come to fruition in the Millennial Kingdom.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">2. Nonsupersessionism: Israel and the Church are separate<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">From what we have said so far, it should come to no surprise that D does not believe that the Church has replaced Israel or that Israel was a type for the Church.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">3. Discontinuity between the Law of Moses and the Law of Christ</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">D believes that the Law of Moses was temporal in its nature and fulfilled (thus abrogated) with the coming of Christ. Thus, NT believers are no longer under the Law.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">4. The Content of Faith</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">To quote John Feinberg:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The ultimate object of faith in any and every age is God Himself. The ultimate issue at any time in history is whether a man will take God at His word and exercise faith in the provision for salvation which God reveals… <span style="font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;">it is important to remember that since in each economy the content is what God has revealed, belief in the content for that age is belief in the ultimate object of faith. [8] </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">So those who adhere to D, say that though Jesus was the basis/grounds for all salvation, people in the OT could not have known about Jesus b/c God did not reveal Him until the NT times. Therefore, people in the OT were still saved by faith in whatever God had revealed to them up to that time, for how could they believe in someone they never heard about?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">5. The Unconditionality of the Biblical Covenants (Abrahamic, Davidic, etc.)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">As a gross generalization, CT sees the Biblical covenants as conditional and dispensationalists see them as unconditional and yet to be fulfilled.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><u>III. Hermeneutics of D</u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Four hermeneutical beliefs [6]</p> <p class="MsoNormal">a. Belief that OT texts need to be interpreted in their own right and not reinterpreted by the NT</p> <p class="MsoNormal">b. Progressive revelation does not cancel unconditional promises to Israel</p> <p class="MsoNormal">c. National Israel does not function as a type that is transcended by the Church</p> <p class="MsoNormal">d. OT promises can have a double fulfillment or application with both Israel and the Church</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><u>IV. Views on The Millenium </u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Premillennialism</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">D believes in that the second coming of Christ is before the start of the millennial kingdom and that it is a literal 1,000 year reign of Jesus Christ on the earth before the eternal state. Important to this idea, as previously mentioned, is that it is the fulfillment of many promises made to the nation of Israel (ie the restoration of their land, preeminence among the nations, kingship of the Messiah, etc.)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">To quote Dr. Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">While it is true that the millennium (that is, one thousand years) is found only in Revelation 20, the belief in the Messianic Kingdom does not rest on this passage alone. In fact, it hardly rests on it at all. The basis for the belief in the Messianic Kingdom is twofold. First: there are the unfulfilled promises of the Jewish covenants, promises that can only be fulfilled in a Messianic Kingdom. Second: there are the unfulfilled prophecies of the Jewish prophets. There are numerous prophecies of the Old Testament that speak of the coming of the Messiah Who will reign on David’s Throne, and rule over a peaceful Kingdom. There is a great amount of material in the Old Testament on the Messianic Kingdom, and the belief in a Messianic Kingdom rests on the basis of a literal interpretation of this massive material.[9]</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Also, the idea of the rapture and a seven year tribulation is prominent within premillennial eschatology and though there is some disagreement as to the timing of the rapture.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">i. Pretribulational rapture</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Rapture occurs before the tribulation b/c the Church is supposed to be saved from the wrath of God that He pours out during those seven years.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">ii. Midtribulational rapture</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Rapture occurs at the halfway point of the tribulation. The severity of the later half of the tribulation is much greater and is even called the “great tribulation” and this is what the Church is saved from.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">iii. Postribulational Rapture</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Rapture occurs after the tribulation, as the saints are supposed to be tested through the seven years of tribulation.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><u>V. Timeline of History</u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">D generally divides biblical history into different dispensations. Dispensations are defined by the Scofield Reference Bible as "a period of time during which man is tested in respect of obedience to some specific revelation of the will of God. Seven such dispensations are distinguished in Scripture."[12] Dr. Charles Ryrie has noted that this has caused some confusion and defines it as:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">“A distinguishable economy in the outworking of God's purpose.” [12]</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">There have been seven classical dispensations, which I believe were first described by CI Scofield. Here they are:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>The Seven Classic Dispensations (<span style="color:red;">Red</span><span style="color:black;"> are my inserts)</span></b><span style="color:black;"> [10]</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">1. Innocence (freedom) - Edenic covenant</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">This is the time before the Fall in the Garden of Eden, where Man’s responsibility to God was not to eat from the tree of Good and Evil.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">2. Consciense (moral responsibility) - Adamic covenant (protoevangelion)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">By the fall, Adam and Eve acquired and transmitted to the [human] race the knowledge of good and evil. This gave conscience a basis for right moral judgment, and hence the race came under this measure of responsibility-to do good and eschew evil. [13]</p> <p class="MsoNormal">3. Human government - Noahic covenant</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Out of the fearful judgment of the flood God saved eight persons, to whom, after the waters were assuaged, He gave the purified earth with ample power to govern it. This, Noah and his descendants were responsible to do. The dispensation of human government resulted, upon the plain of Shinar, in the impious attempt to become independent of God and closed in judgment: the confusion of tongues. [13]</p> <p class="MsoNormal">4. Promise (patriarchal rule) - Abrahamic covenant</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Out of the dispersed descendants of the builders of Babel, God called one man, Abram, with whom He enters into covenant. [13] God moves specifically to work through one man’s descendants. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">5. Law - Mosaic/Sinatic, Palestinian, (Levitical/Phineas), Davidic, New covenants</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">With the introduction of the Law, there is major shift in how God is dealing with man. Now, mankind is obligated to follow the specific regulations contained within the Mosaic Law.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color:red;">*Christ's Earthly Ministry </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color:red;"> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color:red;">Jesus describes this time as unique and one where there should be “no fasting while the bridegroom is there.” Besides, it should go without say that due to Jesus’ physical presence on earth there is a different economy between God and man (eg. whatever He said was authoritative and must be followed). In addition, specific economic shifting events such as the rejection of the Messiah by Israel and His death and resurrection occurred during this time. </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color:red;">*Apostolic Age </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color:red;"> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color:red;">The authority of Christ was laid upon the Apostles and they spoke infallibly in regards to the faith. This period is also marked by the miraculous sign gifts working prolificially within the layity of the Church and the writing of the NT.</span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal">6. The Church, Grace (Mystery Parenthesis)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Our current age that is between God’s program for Israel. God is now using the Church to spread salvation and the Kingdom into the world. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">7. The Kingdom (Millenial Kingdom)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The return of Christ on Earth with the whole world under his reign. Israel has prominence among the nations, though the whole world is now at peace and full of blessing. Although sin, unbelief, and death are weakened, they are still in existence.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color:red;">*The Eternal state </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color:red;"> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color:red;">God now dwells among His saints (cf. Rev 21:3). The the New Heavens, the New Earth, and the New Jerusalem are ushered in. Finally, sin and death are no more and all His saints will now be forever glorified and directly be with Him for all eternity.</span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><b><u>VI. Progressive Dispensationalism vs Classcial Dispensationalism</u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Currently, there is much discussion within dispensationalism. Much of this centers around the idea of progressive dispensationalism that was made popular by Drs. Darrell Block, Craig Blaising, and Robert Saucy. Though this may be a little off topic, I believe it is important to understand the difference between the two. Rev. Jack Brook has an excellent summary of the major differences between the two views: [11]</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><b>1. One plan of salvation: </b>There is only one plan of redemption, not one for Israel and a different one for Christians. There is only one New Covenant, not two. The redemptive plan is revealed through God’s covenants. It begins with Abraham’s covenant, which combines physical and spiritual promises. David’s covenant, as developed by the later prophets also has redemptive application, since the Savior would be the Son of David. The New Covenant obtains redemption in fulfillment of the Abrahamic and Davidic. The redemptive plan is <b>holistic</b>, not manifold.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><b>2. Four dispensations:</b> There are four dispensations:</p> <ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal">Patriarchal </li><li class="MsoNormal">Mosaic </li><li class="MsoNormal">Ecclesial (Church) </li><li class="MsoNormal">Zionic (subdivided into millennial and eternal-kingdom phases.) </li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;">3. <b>One people of God: </b>The Christian Church is quite distinct from Israel, but not <u>radically</u> distinct. The Church is not a mere “parenthesis” in an otherwise-Jewish divine plan. The Church is not “Plan B”. It is not a separate category of humanity, in the way the Bible speaks of Jews or Greeks. There is continuity between the Church and Israel, not discontinuity alone. All believers from all dispensations are united in one general assembly in heaven (Hebrews 12.)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><b>4. Complimentary hermeneutics: </b>The old claim that a consistent grammatical-historical method of interpretation will always produce traditional dispensationalists is demonstrably untrue. The NT doesn’t follow Charles Ryrie’s definition of “consistent literalism” in the way that it handles OT prophecy. The NT often expands upon the OT prophecies, without contradicting their original contexts. Implications are developed from words which were not developed in the OT. PD calls this a “complementary” hermeneutic: The NT adds onto the OT prophecies in a way complementary to their original context.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><b>5. Already/Not Yet: </b>The Kingdom of God’s blessings are mostly reserved for Christ’s second advent, but parts of it are manifested today through the Holy Spirit. The geo-political aspects will occur in the future. The Church is grafted into some key aspects of the New Covenant (justification, the gift of the Spirit, resurrection hope), but the geo-political features for Israel have not yet happened. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><b>6. Davidic Reign Now: </b>Christ’s Davidic reign began in part when He ascended to the right hand of the Father. Some of the Davidic promises have been fulfilled, many others must wait until Christ returns. Salvation blessings are mediated to us through Jesus, who fulfilled Psalm 110:1-2. “Christ” and “Son of God” were both Davidic titles. Jesus’ priesthood is that of Melchizedek, an office originally given to David. Jesus’ Davidic kingship was the method by which God would fulfill all of His promises to Abraham (Luke 1:55)<br /></p>________________________<br /><span style=";font-family:";" ><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></span> <p class="MsoNormal">[1] Vangemeren, Willem. “Systems of Continuity.” In <i>Continuity and Discontinuity: Perspectives on the Relationship Between the Old and New Testaments.</i> (Westchester, IL: Crossway Books, 1988), 37-62.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">[2] Packer, JI. <u>Gospel Pedlar</u>. INTRODUCTION: ON COVENANT THEOLOGY. Cited 04 Feb. 2009. <<a href="http://www.gospelpedlar.com/articles/Bible/cov_theo.html">http://www.gospelpedlar.com/articles/Bible/cov_theo.html</a>></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">[3] Currid, John. <i>Judges through Poets </i>[Online Lectures]. Retrieved from <a href="http://itunes.rts.edu/">http://itunes.rts.edu</a> audio lectures.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">[4] Chamblin, Knox. “The Law of Moses and The Law of Christ.” In <i>Continuity and Discontinuity: Perspectives on the Relationship Between the Old and New Testaments.</i> (Westchester, IL: Crossway Books, 1988), 181-202.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">[5] Klooster, Fred. “The Biblical Method for Salvation: The Case for Continuity.” In <i>Continuity and Discontinuity: Perspectives on the Relationship Between the Old and New Testaments.</i> (Westchester, IL: Crossway Books, 1988), 131-160.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">[6] Vlach, Michael. “The Church as a Replacement of Israel: An Analysis of Supersessionism.” Ph.D. dissertation, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2004.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">[7] Feinberg, John. “Systems of Discontinuity.” In <i>Continuity and Discontinuity: Perspectives on the Relationship Between the Old and New Testaments.</i> (Westchester, IL: Crossway Books, 1988), 63-88.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">[8] John S. Feinberg, “Salvation in the Old Testament” Tradition and Testament. Essays in Honor of Charles Lee Feinberg. Chicago: Moody Press, 1981. Hbk. ISBN: 0802425445. pp.39-77.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">[9] Fruchtenbaum, Arnold. <u>Pre-Trib</u><u> Research Center</u>. Premillennialism in the Old Testament. Cited 04 Feb. 2009. <></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">[10] Ross, Allen. “The Biblical Method for Salvation: The Case for Discontinuity.”In <i>Continuity and Discontinuity: Perspectives on the Relationship Between the Old and New Testaments.</i> (Westchester, IL: Crossway Books, 1988), 161-180</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">[11] Brooks, Jack. <u>EndTime.org</u>. Progressive Dispensationalism: What is it? Cited 04 Feb. 2009.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><http: org="" html=""></http:></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">[12] Ryrie, Charles. <u>Biblecentre.org.</u> What Is a Dispensation? Chapter 2 of "Dispensationalism" Cited 04 Feb. 2009. <<a href="http://www.biblecentre.org/topics/ccr_2_dispensationalism.htm">http://www.biblecentre.org/topics/ccr_2_dispensationalism.htm</a>></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">[13] Socfield, CI. <u>Biblecentre.org</u>. THE SEVEN DISPENSATIONS. Cited 04 Feb. 2009. <a href="http://www.biblecentre.org/topics/cis_rd_2_seven_disp.htm">http://www.biblecentre.org/topics/cis_rd_2_seven_disp.htm</a><a href="http://www.biblecentre.org/topics/cis_rd_2_seven_disp.htm"><http: org="" topics="" htm=""></http:></a><http: org="" topics="" htm=""><http: org="" topics="" htm=""><http: org="" topics="" htm=""></http:></http:></http:></p>The Predestined Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01587261989476613134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197404598798041270.post-18757514695944652372008-12-05T11:40:00.008-06:002008-12-05T11:50:10.368-06:00The Gospel of Mark: The Authority of Jesus Christ<u>The Gospel of Mark and the Authority of Jesus Christ</u><br /><br />As I read through the Gospel of Mark, I was struck by the beginning verses and how they seemed to form a "thesis" for the deity and authority of Jesus.<br /><br />To quote a <a title="previous entry of mine" href="http://thepredestinedblog.blogspot.com/2007/08/deity-of-christ-quick-verses.html" id="q6_q">previous entry of mine</a>:<br /><br /><b><u>Mark 1:2</u></b><br />As it is written in Isaiah the prophet:<br />"BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">YOU</span>, WHO WILL PREPARE <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">YOUR</span> WAY"<br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">+</span><br /></div><b><u>Malachi 3:1</u></b><br /><div class="MsoNormal">"Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Me </span>and the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming," says the LORD of hosts.</div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">Notice that in original quotation Malachi, God/YHWH uses the pronoun "<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Me</span>," while in Mark when referring to Jesus it is "<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">You</span>." Why is that? Because Jesus is the second person of the Godhead and so when something is attributed to God/YHWH, it is appropriate to attribute it to Jesus.</div><br />[BTW, if you're wondering why it Mark says from the prophet Isaiah, its b/c Mark puts two verses together Malachi 3:1(v2) and than Isaiah 40:3(v3), and as the literary custom of the day, he attributes the entire quote to the higher ranking prophet.]<br />*****************<br /><br />Now that we see that Jesus from the outset is equated with YHWH God, let's see how Mark develops His Authority in his Gospel:<br /><br />Mark 1:1, 1:11, 9:6 - Authority as the Son of God (Not only does Mark, but God the Father explicitly calls Him "the Son" ~ Talk about a letter of recommendation!)<div id="hm4h"><br />Mark 1:2-3 - Proclaimed as the predicted Lord and YHWH Himself<br /><br />Mark 1:27 - Authority in Himself<br /><br />Mark 1:29-34 - Authority over disease<br /><br /><div id="l1ef1">Mark 1:34, 6:7 - Authority over demons (He even could give others the authority over demons)<br /></div><br />Mark 2:5-7 - Authority to forgive sins<br /><br />Mark 2:10, 14:62 - Authority as the Son of Man<br /><br />Mark 2:28, 3:11-12 - Authority over the Sabbath<br /><br />Mark 4:41 - Authority over the creation/natural world<br /><br />Mark 5:41 - Authority over death<br /><br />Mark 6:48 - Authority over the laws of nature<br /><br />Mark 6:41 - Authority over matter and the power of creation ex nihilo (ie to create something out of nothing)<br /><br /></div><div id="hw_8"> </div><div id="hw_81">Mark 7:19 - Authority over the OT law (He declared all foods clean)<br /><br />Mark 8:29 - Authority as the Messiah/Christ<br /><br />Mark 9:2-3 - Authority of the Kingdom of God and power/The Transfiguration<br /><br />Mark 13:26 - Authority to close the End of the Age<br /><br />Mark 13:31 - Authority and eternity of His Words<br /><br />Mark 14:22-24 - Authority of the New Covenant (to initiate it and that His blood is the New Covenant)<br /><br />Mark 14:22-24 - Authority to institute new sacraments for God's people<br /><br />Mark 15:39 - Authority of His Death<br /><br />Mark 16:6 - Authority of His Resurrection<br />*****************<br /><br />This is by means no means an exhaustive list of verses, but definitely gives a good bird's eye view of Christ's authority and really His equality with God/YHWH. As best put by the Pharisees in Mark 2:7 "Who can forgive sins, but God alone?" They were right about, but failed to realize Jesus was God.<br /><br />Praise be to our Lord, <span style="font-weight: bold;">God</span>, and Savior Jesus Christ!<br /><br /></div>The Predestined Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01587261989476613134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197404598798041270.post-80617666116886123892008-10-23T16:53:00.028-05:002011-02-18T20:44:00.076-06:00The Dangers of IHOP and the "IHOP Dilemma"<u><b>My Declaration Against the International House of Prayer (IHOP)</b></u><br />
<br />
There is a big divide today in evangelical Christianity on the issue of spiritual gifts (see my post <a href="http://thepredestinedblog.blogspot.com/2008/06/i-think-that-this-issue-will-become.html" id="lcg:" title="here">here</a>). I feel the need to mention this first, because people often times mistake this question when talking about IHOP. Let me state it clearly, the issue is not whether or not there has been a continuation of the sign gifts since the early apostolic church.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>The question is whether or not the leadership and teachers of IHOP are false prophets.</b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Yes, I've chosen my words carefully. I do not want to get into an argument about spiritual gifts. What I want to get into is rather - Are the prophecies from IHOP false or true? And what are the consequences of that. Repeat this is not an argument over the existence of prophecy b/c if the sign gift of prophecy is in existence today than we need to be ever more diligent against false prophecy not less so. Am I making a big fuss over nothing? No, I am not. I am seeing this place taking over people's lives. People have quit jobs, moved from around the country, and moved from around the world to get trained there. I know people who want to move to IHOP now, who want to move based on certain "prophecies" from them, heard testimony of churches being split b/c of them, parents who have basically lost their children (there is blog out there about a mom's woes... can't find it tell me if you do), and I was even asked to translate a "prophecy" tape! Not to mention, the hordes of young people that do not have the Biblical knowledge to make a discerning judgment about them go there and even come across the country to go their youth retreats.<br />
<br />
*************<br />
<br />
I have seen several kinds of people associated with IHOP.<br />
<br />
1) There are charismatic people who simply go to IHOP to pray and have no idea what IHOP really believes.<br />
<br />
2) There are people not involved with IHOP and support them because they see passionate people who are dedicated to prayer and worship, but have absolutely no idea why they have a 24/7 prayer and music ministry (it's in connection with the bogus teachings of the "Tabernacle of David," "Harp and Bowel movement," and having to do with ushering Jesus' return - yeah i'm not joking you thought they were praying and worshiping b/c it was just a good idea, huh? - Read more go <a href="http://intotruth.org/apostasy/harp-bowl.htm" id="wg6:" title="here">here</a>)<br />
<br />
3) There are also young Christians and/or Christians who do not have a strong knowledge of the Bible who have unfortunately fallen victim to them.<br />
<br />
4) People who have left IHOP and no longer associate with them. Including Pastor Ernie Gruen, someone who is fully convinced that prophecy exists for today, has complied a 123 page manuscript of testimonies and personal experiences of the horrors of IHOP, including a death of a baby b/c of a prophesy during a home group meeting. This document can be found <a href="http://www.intotruth.org/kcp/kcp-gruen.html" id="qwur" title="here">here</a>. (I told you this is not about spiritual gifts, even charismatics are vehemently against IHOP)<br />
<br />
5) Leaders: The leadership and teachers are to be held accountable as such as it says in James 3:1 "Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment."<br />
<br />
As such, they are like the church of Thyatira in Revelation 2 with good deeds and service, but tolerating false prophets:<br />
<br />
Revelation 2:<span id="en-NASB-30737">18</span>"And to the angel of the church in Thyatira <span style="color: #3333ff;">[IHOP]</span> write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this: <span id="en-NASB-30738">19</span>'I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first. <span id="en-NASB-30739">20</span>'But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel <span style="color: #3333ff;">[the men Mike Bickle,Paul Cain, Allen Hood, Bob Jones, Rick Joyner, John Paul Jackson, Francis Frangipane] </span>who calls herself <span style="color: #3333ff;">[themselves]</span> a prophetess <span style="color: #3333ff;">[prophets]</span>, and she teaches and leads <span style="color: #3333ff;">[they teach and lead] </span>My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. <span id="en-NASB-30740">21</span>'I gave her <span style="color: #3333ff;">[them] </span>time to repent, and she <span style="color: #3333ff;">[they] </span>does <span style="color: #3333ff;">[do] </span>not want to repent of her <span style="color: #3333ff;">[their] </span>immorality. <span id="en-NASB-30741">22</span>'Behold, I will throw her <span style="color: #3333ff;">[them] </span>on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her <span style="color: #3333ff;">[them] </span>into great tribulation, unless they repent of her<span style="color: #3333ff;"> [their] </span>deeds.<br />
<br />
God has put on my heart to be compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness and truth, to forgive these people, but by no means let their sins go unnoticed (yes that's basically God's description of Himself in Exodus 34:6-7).<br />
<br />
Rember the point of bring this up is to bring these people back to or perhaps for the first time to God. Not to merely tear them down, but to the Godly rebuke that will show them the error of their ways, repent of their sins, and become closer to God (cf. Galatians 6:1 Matt 18:15, 2<br />
Cor 7:8-10)<br />
<br />
A couple of other verses I'd like to keep in mind are <span id="en-NASB-29852">:<br />
<br />
2 Timothy 2:24</span>The Lord's bond-servant must <b>not be quarrelsome</b>, but be <b>kind to all</b>, able to teach, <b>patient when wronged</b>, <span id="en-NASB-29853">25</span>with <b>gentleness</b> correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps <u style="color: red;"><i><b>God may grant </b></i></u>them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, <span id="en-NASB-29854">26</span>and they may come to their senses and <b>escape from the snare of the devil</b>, having been <b>held captive by him to do his will</b>.<br />
<br />
As Paul told Timothy, we should be kind, gentle, patient, and rely on God to grant them repentance for it is not merely a problem of the intellect, but the devil is holding them captive!<br />
<u><b><br />
</b></u><u><b>So how bad is false prophecy?</b></u><br />
<br />
Would we as a church let anyone be a leader, let alone start a church or seminary that committed adultery or murder on a weekly basis? Then why should we let anyone be a leader at a church who falsely prophesies on a weekly basis? False prophecy is one of the most heinous sins in the Bible and I'm sure the case can be made that it is worse than adultery and could give murder a run for its money. In fact it is one of the 16 things that deserved the death penalty in the OT (<a href="http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/1974" id="xyhl" title="Dave Miller, Ph.D">Dave Miller, Ph.D</a>).<br />
<u><br />
</u><u>Here are some verses highlighting the heinousness of false prophecy</u>:<br />
<br />
Deut 13:<span id="en-NASB-5274">1</span>"If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, <span id="en-NASB-5275">2</span>and the sign or the wonder comes true... <span id="en-NASB-5276">3</span>you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams; for the LORD your God <b>is testing you to find out if you love the LORD</b>... <span id="en-NASB-5277">4</span>"You shall follow the LORD your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His<br />
commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him. <span id="en-NASB-5278">5</span>"But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams <b>shall be put to death,</b><br />
<br />
Deut 18:20 'But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in My name which I have not commanded him to speak, or which he speaks in the name of other gods, that <b>prophet shall die</b>.'<br />
<br />
Jeremiah 27:15 for I have not sent them," declares the LORD, "<b>but they prophesy falsely in My name</b>, in order that I may drive you out and that <b>you may perish, you and the prophets who prophesy to you</b>."<br />
<br />
Zechariah 13:<span id="en-NASB-23062">2</span>"It will come about in that day," declares the LORD of hosts, "that I will cut<br />
off the names of the idols from the land, and they will no longer be remembered; and I will also remove the prophets and the unclean spirit from the land. <span id="en-NASB-23063">3</span>"And if anyone still prophesies, then his father and mother who gave birth to him will say to him, <b>'You shall not live, for you have spoken falsely in the name of the LORD'; and his father and mother who gave birth to<br />
him will pierce him through when he prophesies. </b><br />
<br />
<u>And sure enough there was a reason why God gave these warnings to his OT people</u>:<br />
<br />
1 Kings 18:<span id="en-NASB-9364">22</span>Then Elijah said to the people, "I alone am left a prophet of the LORD, but <b>Baal's prophets are 450 men</b>.<br />
<br />
2 Chronicles 18:<span id="en-NASB-11548">5</span>Then the king of Israel assembled the <b>[false] prophets, four hundred men</b>, and said to them, "Shall we go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I refrain?" And they said,<br />
"Go up, for God will give it into the hand of the king." <span id="en-NASB-11549">6</span>But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there not yet a prophet of the LORD here that we may inquire of him?"<br />
<br />
Ezekiel 13:9 "So My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations They will have no place in the council of My people, nor will they be written down in the register of the house of Israel, nor will they enter the land of Israel, that you may know that I am the Lord GOD.<br />
<br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;">Isaiah 9:15 </b>The head is the elder and honorable man,And the <b>prophet who teaches </b><b>falsehood</b> is the tail<br />
<br />
<u>What kind of prophesies were these false prophets making?</u><br />
<br />
Jeremiah 14:14 Then the LORD said to me, "The prophets are <b>prophesying falsehood in My name I have neither sent them nor commanded them nor spoken to them</b>; they are prophesying to you a <b>false vision, divination, futility and the deception of their own minds.</b><br />
<br />
<span id="en-NASB-19510">Jeremiah 23:25</span>" I have heard what the prophets have said who <b>prophesy falsely in My name, saying, 'I had a dream, I had a dream!'</b> <span id="en-NASB-19511">26</span>"How long? Is there anything in the hearts of the prophets who prophesy falsehood, even these prophets of the <b>deception of their own heart</b>,<br />
<br />
Zechariah 10:<span id="en-NASB-23019">2</span>For the teraphim [idols] speak iniquity,<br />
And the <b>diviners see lying visions</b><br />
And tell <b>false dreams</b>;<br />
They comfort in vain<br />
Therefore the people wander like sheep,<br />
They are afflicted, because there is no shepherd.<br />
<span id="en-NASB-23020">3</span>"<b>My anger is kindled against the shepherds</b>,<br />
<u><br />
</u><u>Here is another very important point - <b>What is the penalty for not listening to God's prophets</b>?</u><br />
<br />
Daniel 9: <span id="en-NASB-21995">6</span>"Moreover, <b>we have not listened to Your servants the prophets</b>, who spoke in Your name to our kings, our princes, our fathers and all the people of the land... <span id="en-NASB-21999">10</span><b>nor have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God,</b> to walk in His teachings <b>which He set before us through His servants the prophets</b>. <span id="en-NASB-22000">11</span>"Indeed all Israel has transgressed Your law and turned aside, not obeying Your voice;<b> so the curse has been poured out on us,</b> along with the oath which is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, for we have sinned against Him."<br />
<br />
<div id="repu4">2 Chronicles 36:<span id="en-NASB-12006">12;15-20</span> He did evil in the sight of the LORD his God; <b>he did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet who spoke for the LORD.</b><span id="en-NASB-12009">15</span><b>The LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to them again and again by His messengers,</b> because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place; <span id="en-NASB-12010">16</span><b>but they continually mocked the messengers of God, despised His words and scoffed at His prophets</b>, <b>until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people</b>, until there was no remedy. <span id="en-NASB-12011">17</span><b>Therefore He brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans </b>who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion on young man or virgin, old man or infirm; He gave them all into his hand. <span id="en-NASB-12012">18</span>All the articles of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king and of his officers, he brought them all to Babylon. <span id="en-NASB-12013">19</span>Then they burned the house of God and broke down the wall of Jerusalem, and burned all its fortified buildings with fire and destroyed all its valuable articles. <span id="en-NASB-12014">20</span>Those who had escaped from the sword he carried away to Babylon; and they were servants to him and to his sons until the rule of the kingdom of Persia</div><br />
Zechariah 1:4"<b>Do not be like your fathers</b>, <b>to whom the former prophets proclaimed</b>, saying, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, "Return now from your evil ways and from your evil deeds "' <b>But they did not listen or give heed to Me," declares the LORD. </b><span id="en-NASB-22884">5</span>"Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? <span id="en-NASB-22885">6</span>"But did not My words and My statutes, which I commanded My servants the prophets, <b>overtake your fathers?</b><br />
<br />
Zechariah 7:<span id="en-NASB-22975">12</span>"They made their hearts like flint so that <b>they could not hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets</b>; therefore <b>great wrath came </b>from the LORD of hosts.<br />
<br />
<div id="gm1-2"></div><div id="gm1-2">Nehemiah 9:30 "However, You bore with them for many years,<br />
And admonished them by <b>Your Spirit through Your prophets,</b><br />
Yet they <b>would not give ear</b>. Therefore <b>You gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands</b>. </div><div id="gm1-2">***************</div><div id="gm1-2"><b><u><br />
</u></b></div><div id="gm1-2"><b><u>The New Testament has the same attitude about false prophecy as well:</u></b></div><div id="gm1-2"></div><div id="gm1-2"><u>Heinousness of false prophesy (and teaching)<br />
</u></div><br />
Rev 2:2 [To the church of Ephesus] 'I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that <b>you cannot tolerate evil men</b>, and you<b> put to the test those who call themselves apostles</b>, and they are not, and you found them to be false...6Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which <b>I also hate</b>.<br />
<br />
Rev 2:<span id="en-NASB-30733">14 [To the church of Pergamum] </span>'But I have a few things against you, because <b>you have there some who</b> <b>hold the teaching of Balaam [who was a false prophet]</b>, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality. <span id="en-NASB-30734">15</span>'So you also <b>have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans</b>. <span id="en-NASB-30735">16</span>'Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and <b>I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth</b>.<br />
<br />
Rev 2:<span id="en-NASB-30739">20</span>'But I have this against you, that you<b> tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess</b>...'<b>Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness</b>, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds. <span id="en-NASB-30742">23</span>'<b>And I will kill her children with pestilence<br />
<br />
</b>Galatians 1:8But even if we, or an angel from heaven, <b>should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you</b>, he is to be <b>accursed</b> [go to hell]! <span id="en-NASB-29067">9</span>As we have<br />
said before, so <b>I say again now</b>, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be <b>accursed</b> [go to hell]!<br />
<br />
<u>Warnings about false prophets</u><br />
<br />
Matthew 7:15 <b>Beware of the false prophets</b>, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.<br />
<br />
<span id="en-NASB-23969">Matthew 24:11</span>"<b>Many false prophets will arise </b>and will <b>mislead many</b>...<span id="en-NASB-23982"></span><br />
<br />
Mark 13:<span id="en-NASB-24739">21</span>"And then if anyone says to you, 'Behold, here is the Christ'; or, 'Behold, He is<br />
there'; <b>do not believe him</b>; 22for false Christs and<b> false prophets will arise</b>, and <b>will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray</b>, if possible, the elect.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;">1 Corinthians 14:37</span> </b>If anyone thinks he is a <b>prophet</b> or spiritual,<b> let him recognize that the things which I write</b> to you are the Lord's commandment. 38If he ignores this,<b> he himself will be ignored</b>.<br />
<br />
1 Thess 5:20 do not despise prophetic utterances. 21But <b>examine everything carefully</b>; hold fast to that which is good;<b><br />
</b><br />
2 Thess 2:<span id="en-NASB-29664">2 </span>that you <b>not be quickly shaken</b> from your composure or be disturbed either <b>by<br />
a spirit </b>or a message or a letter <b>as if from us</b>, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.<br />
<br />
1 John 4:1 Beloved, <b>do not believe every spirit</b>, but <b>test the spirits </b>to see whether they are from God, because <b>many false prophets have gone out into the world.</b><br />
<br />
<u>What kind of false prophesies are they making</u><br />
<br />
Colossians 2:<span id="en-NASB-29513">18</span>Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, <b>taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind</b>,<br />
<br />
2 Peter 2:<span id="en-NASB-30502">1</span><b>But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you</b>, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the<br />
Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. <span id="en-NASB-30503">2</span>Many <b>will follow their sensuality</b>, and because of them the way of the <b>truth will be maligned</b>; <span id="en-NASB-30504">3</span>and in their <b>greed they will exploit you with false words</b>; <b>their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.</b><br />
<br />
2 Peter 3:<span id="en-NASB-30538">15</span>and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also <b>our beloved brother<br />
Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you</b>, <span id="en-NASB-30539">16</span>as also <b>in all his letters</b>, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the<b> untaught and unstable distort, as they do</b><b> also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.</b> <span id="en-NASB-30540">17</span>You therefore, beloved,<b> knowing this beforehand, be on your guard</b> so that<br />
you are <b>not carried away by the error of unprincipled men </b>and fall from your own steadfastnes<br />
<br />
<div id="uf9r"><u>The penalties for not listening to prophecies</u></div><br />
<div id="vt6t0"></div>Matthew 11:<span id="en-NASB-23461">1</span> When Jesus had finished giving instructions to His twelve disciples, He departed from there to teach and preach in their cities...<span id="en-NASB-23480">20</span>Then <b>He began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent</b>. <span id="en-NASB-23481">21</span>"<b>Woe to you</b>, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had occurred in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. <span id="en-NASB-23482">22</span>"Nevertheless I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. <span id="en-NASB-23483">23</span>"And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? <b>You will descend to Hades</b>; for if the miracles had occurred in Sodom which occurred in you, it would have remained to this day. <span id="en-NASB-23484">24</span>"Nevertheless I say to you that it will be <b>more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you</b>."<br />
<br />
Matthew 16: <span id="en-NASB-23691">18</span>"I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. <span id="en-NASB-23692">19</span>"I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and <b>whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven</b>."<br />
<br />
<span id="en-NASB-25380">Luke 10:16</span>"The one who listens to you listens to Me, and <b>the one who rejects you rejects Me</b>; and he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me." [In regards to the seventy He sent out that did not include the 12 apostles]<br />
<br />
Rev 22:<span id="en-NASB-31100">18</span>I testify to everyone who hears the words of the <b>prophecy of this book</b>: if <b>anyone </b><span style="color: blue;">[including IHOP]</span><b> adds to them</b>,<b> God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book</b>; <span id="en-NASB-31101">19</span>and<b> if anyone </b><span style="color: blue;">[including IHOP]</span><b> </b><b>takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy</b>, <b>God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city</b>, which are written in this book.<br />
********<br />
<u>But they're good people...</u><br />
<br />
Before we move on people love to point out their experiences and others point out that people at IHOP are "good people." I'm not going to disagree, but honestly if you compared them to many Mormons or Jehovah's Witnesses I know, they are not as good as them. Seriously, I will give credit to the Mormons and JWs, b/c they are very good people. The point being "good people" does not mean you are not into "false prophecy." Remember, the church of Thyatira with good deeds but still tolerating false prophecy? All people sin and unfortunately IHOPers' sin is false prophecy. Besides, Paul makes it absolutely clear just b/c someone seems good it means nothing:<br />
<br />
<span id="en-NASB-29003">2 Corinthians 11:13</span>For such men are <b>false apostles</b>, deceitful workers, <b>disguising themselves as apostles of Christ</b>. <span id="en-NASB-29004">1<b>4</b></span><b>No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.</b> <span id="en-NASB-29005">15</span>Therefore <b>it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness,</b> whose end will be according to their deeds.<br />
<br />
Now these guys constantly go on about the miraculous things they see, but the Bible is full of warnings like these. Many, many of their testimoneies go like this "I believe in Jesus and I heard prophesies come true, demons being cast out, and so many other miraculous things!" However Jesus gives us this amazing warning that is so dead on:<br />
<br />
Matthew 7:15 <b>Beware of the false prophets</b>, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves... <span id="en-NASB-23339">22</span>"Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, <b>did we not prophesy in Your name</b>, and <b>in Your name cast out demons</b>, and<b> in Your name perform many miracles</b>?' <span id="en-NASB-23340">23</span>"And then <b>I will declare to them, 'I never knew you</b>; <b>DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO</b> <b>PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS</b>.'<br />
<br />
It seriously strikes me as so amazing, how closely what IHOPers say and this match up. Consider this, Jesus is talking about somebody here right? I cannot think of anyone else that fits this description more perfectly than the leadership of IHOP. Often times we hear these verses in a sermon and they are (rightly so) apply to people who work for the Lord, but are not truly saved. However, the direct warning and application are about people who say they prophesy, cast out demons, and perform miracles - a direct correlation to IHOP. I pray that God would reveal to them the error of their ways and save the people hearing their destructive heresy.<br />
<br />
<u>Furthermore the Bible is super clear that miracles will and do happen at the hands of false prophets. </u><br />
<br />
Here is a short list:<br />
<br />
1) Exodus 7:<span id="en-NASB-1697">11</span>"Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers, and they also, <b>the magicians of Egypt, did the same with their secret arts</b>. <span id="en-NASB-1698">12</span>For each one threw down his staff and they turned into serpents. But Aaron's staff swallowed up their staffs." This also happens in Exodus 7:22, 8:7, and 8:18.<br />
<br />
2) Prophecies from God, but through bad people: Balaam (?and his donkey?) (Numbers 22-25); Saul (1 Samuel 10:10-12), and Caiaphas (John 11:49-52).<br />
<br />
3) The Fortune teller in Acts 16<br />
<br />
4) Remember the Judas was an apostle and performed many miracles (cf. Matthew 10:1)<br />
<br />
5) The Anti-Christ and his false prophet will be people with amazing powers!<br />
<br />
2 Thess 2:8Then that <b>lawless one</b> will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; 9that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, <b>with all power and signs and false wonders,<br />
</b><span id="en-NASB-30913"><br />
Rev 13:3</span> I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast; <span id="en-NASB-30914">4</span>they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?" <span id="en-NASB-30922">... 12</span>He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to <b>worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed</b>. <span id="en-NASB-30923">13</span><b>He performs great signs</b>, so that he <b>even makes fire come down out of heaven </b>to the earth in the presence of men. <span id="en-NASB-30924">14</span>And <b>he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs</b> which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and has come to life.<br />
<br />
No matter your interpretation of these verses, it is clear that just because people do miraculous things - IT DOESN'T MEAN ITS FROM GOD!<br />
<br />
6. Misc. <span id="en-NASB-23982"><br />
<br />
Matthew 24:24</span>"For false Christs and <b>false prophets will arise</b> and <b>will show great signs and wonders</b>, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. <span id="en-NASB-23983">25</span>"<b>Behold, I have told you in advance</b>.<br />
<br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;">Acts 13:6 </b>When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a magician, a Jewish <b>false</b> <b>prophet</b> whose name was Bar-Jesus<br />
<br />
<div id="rjzl">2 Chron 18:18 Micaiah said, "Therefore, hear the word of the LORD. I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing on His right and on His left. 19The LORD said, 'Who will entice Ahab king of Israel to go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?' And one said this while another said that. <span id="en-NASB-11563">20</span>"Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD and said, 'I will entice him.' And the LORD said to him, 'How?' </div><br />
<div id="w_a2"><span id="en-NASB-11564">21</span>"He said, <b>'I will go and be a deceiving spirit in the mouth of all his prophets</b>.' Then <b>He said, 'You are to entice him and prevail also. Go and do so.</b>' <span id="en-NASB-11565">22</span>"Now therefore, behold, t<b>he LORD has put a deceiving spirit in the mouth of these your prophets</b>, for the <b>LORD has proclaimed disaster against you</b>." [We see her God sending a deceiving spirit why - B/C its a judgment of disaster!]</div><div id="w_a2"></div><div id="gm1-2">Here is a great quote from Dr. John MacArthur from his sermon "<a href="http://www.biblebb.com/files/MAC/CHAOS1.HTM" id="kafb" title="Are Experiences a Valid Source of Truth?">Are Experiences a Valid Source of Truth?</a>"</div><div id="w_a2"></div><div id="w_a2"><br />
<i>There is the ploy they use, "Well, we would expect you to be against it since you haven't had the experience." That is Gnosticism. That is believing that you have been elevated to a higher level of comprehension which the uninitiated have no understanding. Rodman Williams, who has written a number of books and who was once the president of a local Charismatic school, and I quote said, "Any vital information concerning the Gifts of the Spirit, the Pneumatic Charismata, predisposes a participation in them. Without such a participation, whatever is said about the Gifts may only result in confusion and error." If you haven't had it, you have no right to talk about it. One pastor said to me, "You talk exactly like one who never had the experience. You are speaking out of ignorance." I wonder if they feel that way talking about Heaven, Hell, murder, adultery, homosexuality, and numerous other subjects. Do we have to have that experience too?<br />
<br />
My experience and your experience is not the test or proof of Biblical truth, it is the reverse--Biblical truth must validate or invalidate any experience. Doctrinally, it is almost impossible to define the Charismatic movement. It almost resists theology. It resists categorization because it has such a wide and growing spectrum of viewpoints. If they don't rightly divide the Word of God they are not going to come to a proper Systematic Theology. If they determine what is true because of their own experiences then there is no limit to the theology; it will take whatever form experience takes. And so what you have is a very amorphous kind of volatile changing systems of beliefs that ebbs and flows and rises and falls and refuses to find any structure.</i></div>I just want to restate Deuteronomy 13 here b/c we can now really see what God was saying:<br />
<br />
Deut 13:1"<b>If a prophet</b> or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, 2<b>and the sign or the wonder comes true...</b>3the LORD your<b> God is testing you</b> <b>to find out if you love the LORD</b>... 4"You shall <b>follow the LORD your God</b> and <b>fear Him</b>; and <b>you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him. </b><br />
<br />
<div><u style="color: red;"><b>The IHOP Dilemma<br />
<br />
</b></u></div><div></div><div id="gm1-2"></div>All that background information was necessary in order to see the incredibly HUGE dilemma on our hands. When someone comes to you and they say that God gave them a clear audible and/or visual revelation (dream, vision, prophecy, etc.) you are now in what I will call the <span style="color: red;">IHOP Dilemma<span style="color: black;">.<br />
<br />
We have seen the seriousness of false prophecy and of disobeying genuine ones. You are in an <span style="color: red;">IHOP Dilemma</span> b/c you are now forced to choose:<br />
<br />
1) Whether or not this person is proclaiming falsehood in God's name and thus incurring the steep penalty of false prophesying and being a false prophet<br />
<br />
or<br />
<br />
2) If this person is actually speaking truth from God, we are bound to listen or face incurring the steep penalty of disobeying God's very own commands and His prophet</span></span>.<br />
<br />
<div id="gm1-2"></div><div id="gm1-2">Unfortunately, this puts the rest of Christianity in a hard situation, b/c we now have to make the determination whether IHOPers are false prophets or true prophets and treat them as such. We cannot merely remain neutral either. How can we be neutral on God's revelation or on egregious sin within the church? Its like someone saying the pastor cheated on his wife or that he murdered someone and saying, "Hmm... let me think about that and get back to you later." No, you're now in a tough situation and you have to make a hard decision!</div><div id="gm1-2"></div><div id="gm1-2">Unfortunately, many IHOPers have no idea what they are doing when they supposedly are "prophesying." As I said, they do not have a strong Biblical foundation, it is truly experience driven, and their experience drives their interpretation of the Bible.</div><div id="gm1-2">*******</div><div id="gm1-2"></div><div id="gm1-2"><u>The False Prophecy of IHOP<br />
<br />
</u></div><div id="gm1-2"></div><div id="gm1-2">Now, that we have all this down, we must see the <span style="color: red;">IHOP Dilemma</span> that the leadership of IHOP has put us in by examining their "prophecies" and claims:</div><div id="gm1-2"><i><br />
</i></div><div id="gm1-2">1. <i>"Mike Bickle is really no different in this respect. On disc 7 of </i><i id="aqbd25">The Prophetic History,</i><i> Bickle describes a visitation to the throne-room of God as he is told that God will be restoring the apostles to the church. Let me preface this by saying that before getting to this point in his message, <b>Bickle described the experience as being on par with the Apostle Paul’s experience in the Third Heaven in 2 Cor. 12 as well as John’s visions.</b><br />
<br />
They’ve been told by church leadership that it is up to them to “usher in” the Second Coming of Jesus. They’ve been encouraged to do away with discernment concerning mystical experiences. They’ve been told that they are “forerunners” of Christ in the same way that John the Baptist was. They’ve been told that the orthodox views of Christianity are weak and <b>it’s up to them to restore the “true” message of the Gospel, using their new “powers from God” to start a revival that will win souls for the Kingdom."</b></i><b></b><br />
<br />
(source:<a href="http://signofjonah.wordpress.com/2006/07/13/ihop-and-cultural-influences" id="q51j" title="http://signofjonah.wordpress.com/2006/07/13/ihop-and-cultural-influences">http://signofjonah.wordpress.com/2006/07/13/ihop-and-cultural-influences</a>)</div><div id="gm1-2"></div><div id="gm1-2"></div><div id="gm1-2">2. <i>They could hear from God, and speak forth God's words,<b> prophesying of great events soon to transpire on planet earth</b>. And they could have flipped a coin as to whether what God allegedly told them would actually come true. Often they didn't come true. Some of the main prophets and/or leaders in the movement included Paul Cain, Mike Bickle, Bob Jones, Rick Joyner, John Paul Jackson, Francis Frangipane, and others...However, he was quoted as saying that the general level of prophetic revelation in the <b>movement's "prophets" had an accuracy level of about 65 percent</b>. <b>Some prophets were as low as 10 percent accurate</b>, he said, with some of the <b>"most mature" prophets having a rating "approaching 85 percent to 95 percent</b>. " (Steven F Cannon, "Old Wine in Old Wineskins: A Look at Kansas City Fellowship," The Quarterly Journal 10, no. 4 (October-December 1990): 8.)<br />
<br />
</i></div><div id="gm1-2"></div><div id="gm1-2"><i><span id="aqbd130" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span id="aqbd131" style="font-size: small;">Bob Jones claims that when he was nine years old living in Arkansas, an angel carrying a "great trumpet" came riding down from the sky on a white horse and stopped before him in the middle of a dirt road. He didn't know what to make of it until he was thirteen, when he was escorted to the very throne room of God in heaven.</span></span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span id="aqbd130" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span id="aqbd131" style="font-size: small;"></span></span><span id="aqbd133" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span id="aqbd134" style="font-size: small;">You say that you saw the throne room?" Bickle asked him in the dialogue. ". . . what did it look like?"<br />
</span></span><span id="aqbd136" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span id="aqbd137" style="font-size: small;"><br />
"It looked like gold and it looked like light and it was a light not like the light you see here which is artificial," he responded, adding that the light, the glory of the Lord, frightened him. Well, a "guide," which he identified as "the angel of the Lord ' " protected him from danger by standing between him and the throne by filtering the rays from God as if the angel was "like red sunglasses."" He said he later understood that this was God's way of calling and commissioning him for their new important earth-changing work that could go out from America's <span id="aqbd138" style="color: black;">Midwest. Many years later, in August 1975, Bob Jones claims he had a near-death experience that was caused by a severe, painful nosebleed. He was whisked into heaven. Jones said: "... all of a sudden, the pain was gone. And I was in a dark place and I looked around and I could see that I was in a cave and I looked down there and then my thoughts were, "Oh, Lord, did I get my robe clean? Did I have enough time?" And there was a man that walked beside me and he said, "You can look now, Bob, and see"and I looked down and my robe was like crystal light." 28</span></span></span> <span id="aqbd140" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span id="aqbd141" style="color: black;"><span id="aqbd142" style="font-size: small;"><br />
He then saw Jesus in the form of a light who would grab and kiss" men and women of different ages and then make them disappear by absorbing them into his body! "It was like two big ole doors right here in his heart and it'd be just that, and they was gone," Jones said. "They was in his heart He then saw people that Jesus didn't want who were on "an elevator and an escalator" to hell which was like "a cold storage place." Jesus then commissioned him to touch the leaders in a new last days church so that he could absorb "a billion souls unto myself in the last day," Jones said. 29</span></span></span> <span id="aqbd144" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span id="aqbd145" style="color: black;"><span id="aqbd146" style="font-size: small;">A short time later God "came and took me out of the body," and he descended into hell. It was "one of the most dreary, dreadful places I've ever been," Jones said. "It was like a place like a void, it had no top, bottom or nothing you could see-it was like black auto smoke and we went deeper and deeper into the depths." 30 </span></span></span></i><span id="aqbd144" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span id="aqbd145" style="color: black;"><span id="aqbd146" style="font-size: small;">(source </span></span></span><span id="aqbd212" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span id="aqbd213" style="font-size: small;">Mike Bickle with Bob Jones, <i id="aqbd214">Visions and Revelations, </i>transcript, series of five tapes from the fall of 1988</span></span><span id="aqbd216" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span id="aqbd217" style="font-size: small;">: 28. Ibid., 14, 15.</span></span> <span id="aqbd219" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span id="aqbd220" style="font-size: small;">29. Ibid., 15.</span></span> <span id="aqbd222" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span id="aqbd223" style="font-size: small;">30. Ibid., 16)</span></span><br />
<br />
Mike Bickle's Visions:<br />
<br />
<i><span id="aqbd155" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span id="aqbd156" style="font-size: small;">Later Bickle relates that during his trip to heaven Jesus commissioned him to be one of God's new generals to lead his end time army. Although Bickle claims he met with "the Lord" face-to-face, it was an out-of-body experience. It was 2:16 A.M. he said, and in a flash he was there, but it wasn't the cave where Jones earlier related he had been. Instead he was standing in a 20-by 30-foot room that "had clouds on the bottom, on the top and the walls". It was the courtroom of God. God was in the room, Bickle said, but rather than appearing as a being of light, he was a presence that Bickle wouldn't look at.<br />
</span></span><span id="aqbd158" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span id="aqbd159" style="font-size: small;"><br />
God rebuked him for not being patient enough in choosing leaders for his movement. Later the being ordered Bickle to ride in a golden chariot-one of about thirty-five-in a procession of leaders, apostles and prophets, who would be joining the movement that would someday be worldwide. Bickle said that during the trip God did not commission himas an apostle. But he said he understood the experience to mean that if he was faithful he would "have an opportunity in the grace of God to fill an apostolic calling." </span></span><span id="aqbd190" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span id="aqbd191" style="font-size: small;"></span></span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span id="aqbd190" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span id="aqbd191" style="font-size: small;">But it was behind those doors where Jones's ministry ended. Two women came forward in 1991 and told Vineyard leaders that Jones had used his prophetic authority to touch and fondle them sexually. </span></span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">(Roy Rivenburg, "A Question of Faith," <i>Los Angeles Times, </i>28 January 1992, sec. El, P. 8.</span>) <i><span id="aqbd190" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span id="aqbd191" style="font-size: small;">Jones admitted it and was removed from ministry. "In recent months, I have manipulated certain people for selfish reasons on the basis of my prophetic gifting," Jones said in a statement that he dictated and signed before the Metro Vineyard Fellowship senior leadership on November 4, 1991. "I have been guilty of sexual misconduct, and I deeply regret this. (I have not committed adultery.) "</span></span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span id="aqbd190" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span id="aqbd191" style="font-size: small;"></span></span></i></div><div id="gm1-2"></div><div id="gm1-2">(original source: <a href="http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/kcp.html" id="l8.q" title="http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/kcp.html">http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/kcp.html</a> </div><br />
3. More of Mike Bickle's "Prophecies"<br />
<br />
<i>Bickle claims that a "voice" spoke to him in September 1982, directing him to a ministry to touch the ends of the earth. (</i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Albert James Dager, <i>Vengeance is Ours</i>. Redmond, Wash.: Sword Publishers, 1990, pg. 127.) </span><i>Bickle's account is as follows:<br />
<br />
"The Lord simply said, 'I will change the understanding and expression of Christianity in the earth in one generation.'"</i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> (Mike Bickle, <i>Growing in the Prophetic</i>. Lake Mary, Fla.: Creation House, 1996, pg. 30)<br />
<br />
</span><i>Bickle carries on the tradition of his former colleague, the late faith healer John Wimber. Wimber died of cancer in spite of all his "power evangelism" and purported powers. </i><br />
<i><br />
Bickle, as noted above, endorses the false prophet Bob Jones.</i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> (Hank Hanegraaff, <i>Counterfeit Revival</i>. Dallas: Word Publishers, 1997, pp. 145 150</span><i>) He also claims to have "about 250 people" at his church in a prophetic network "who regularly receive dreams, visions and prophetic words from the Lord." (</i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Growing in the Prophetic</i>, op. cit., pg. 182)<br />
<br />
</span><i>Bickle boasts connections with other prophets as well:<br />
<br />
"At Metro Christian in Kansas City we are associated with several prophetic people of international stature. Some have lived in Kansas City, and others have been related by friendship. We also relate to about a dozen people who have full time traveling prophetic ministries and many people who regularly have prophetic dreams and visions."</i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> (Growing in the Prophetic</i>, op. cit., pg. 139)<br />
<br />
</span><i>Even more frightening is Bickle's Appendix on "God's Manifest Presence."</i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Growing in the Prophetic</i>, op. cit., pg. 196. 227)</span><i> In this section, Bickle presents a list of phenomena from contemporary experience such as:<br />
<br />
"Shaking, jerking, loss of bodily strength, heavy breathing, eyes fluttering, lips trembling, oil on the body, changes in skin color, weeping, laughing, 'drunkenness,' staggering, travailing, dancing, falling, visions, hearing audibly into the spirit realm, inspired utterances (that is, prophecy), tongues, interpretation; angelic visitations and manifestations; jumping, violent rolling, screaming, wind, heat, electricity, coldness, nausea as discernment of evil, smelling or tasting good or evil presences, tingling, pain in the body as discernment of illnesses, feeling heavy weight or lightness, trances (altered physical state while seeing and hearing into the spirit world), inability to speak normally and disruption of the natural realm (for example, electrical circuits blown)."</i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Growing in the Prophetic</i>, op. cit., pg. 209)</span><br />
<i><br />
Much of the above can be found in a cultic Ashram or a mental institution, or could be caused by sickness, drugs, sleep loss, brain damage, altered states of consciousness or, worst of all, demons. Who ever imagined there would be a day when we would be discussing the horrible mess above as viable for church worship?<br />
<br />
Bickle would have us believe that he has heard choirs of angels performing Handel's Messiah and claims:<br />
<br />
"Many people who have had heavenly encounters and returned to tell about them have spoken of the marvelous music they heard in heaven. People who have had experiences of having their ears open to the spirit realm have testified of hearing the angelic choirs and music. In fact, I had an experience like this myself."</i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Growing in the Prophetic</i>, op. cit., pg. 162)</span><br />
<br />
(original source: <a href="http://www.pfo.org/growingpains.htm" id="g0az" title="http://www.pfo.org/growingpains.htm">http://www.pfo.org/growingpains.htm</a> )<br />
<br />
There is so much much more - Just google it!<br />
*******<u><br />
</u><br />
<u>The Grossly Wrong Theology of IHOP</u><br />
<br />
Now, I don't have a professional degree in theology, but I have studied it a lot and have seen and heard many ideas. For sure there are many controversies in the church, dispensationalism vs covenant theology, Calvinism vs Arminianism, and of course cessationists vs charimastics, and though I have my own opinions and disagree with the otherside on the issues, I have found my competitors arguments to be well founded.<br />
<br />
Why do I bring this up? Because IHOP has some terribly horrendous theology. The only way I can surmise how they came up with these ideas is through false prophesy. In all earnestness, these specifics of IHOP, theologically speaking are terrible! The vast majority of Christian theologians look at this and say, "How did they ever come up with this stuff?"<br />
<br />
I put the bad theology part after prophecy - why you ask? If there is a disagreement on predestination, the Calvinist and Arminian go to the Bible and show their views and at the end of the day, we both have our convictions on who is right, b/c of what we see in the Bible. However, on these controversial (to say the least) IHOP issues, if you have regular revelations from God Himself on an issue, you must be right! For how can you argue with God?<br />
<br />
Here are the aberrant theologies that these "so-called" prophets hold on to (I got this from their <a href="http://www.ihop.org/Publisher/Article.aspx?ID=1000010561" id="ouh:" title="website">website</a>):<br />
<br />
1. The Manifest Sons of God theology<br />
<br />
2. The Latter Rain<br />
<br />
3. Dominion Theology<br />
<br />
4. Joel’s Army<br />
<br />
5. The use of Prophecy<br />
<br />
6. The Tabernacle of David<br />
<br />
7. The Bridal Paradigm<br />
<br />
8. The belief that the office of Apostle is still open (an almost unheard of teaching in evangelical Chrstianity)<br />
<br />
9. View of the Song of Solomon*<br />
<br />
10. Apostolic Pre-Millennialism/Post-tribulationalism*<br />
<br />
11. Contemplative Prayer<br />
<br />
[I recommend searching links at the bottom of this entry especially <a href="http://signofjonah.wordpress.com/2007/08/27/whats-cookin-in-ihops-kitchen/" id="y3.s" title="Sign of Jonah">Sign of Jonah</a>, <a href="http://www.intotruth.org/kcp/kcp-metro1.htm" id="tto0" title="Cross+Word: In Truth Ministries">Cross+Word: In Truth Ministries</a> , and <a href="http://www.discernment-ministries.org/JoelsArmy3.htm" id="kwcf" title="Discernment Ministries">Discernment Ministries</a>. Remember to use the search engines on the page]<br />
<br />
Numbers "9" and "10" are have a little * next to them b/c there are legitimate controversies in regarding the interpretation of the Song of Solomon in regards to its spiritualization (though they have their own unique and odd view) and post-tribulationalism. However, I must reemphasize that if you have the gift of prophecy and God talks to you and tells you a prophecy in regard to one of these controversial issues, you have the right answer and NOT B/C OF THE BIBLE, rather b/c God actually spoke to you. Now this doesn't always happen directly (though I think it has), but take for example the "prophecy tape" was asked to transcribe. One of the "prophets" quoted Song of Solomon and used a spiritualized meaning of one of the verses. Obviously, this "prophet" had no idea what he or she was doing, unknowingly gave God's stamp of approval that indeed Song of Solomon is definitely a metaphor for the Church and Christ. Dangerous stuff! (By the way this same prophet initially did not know whether a verse came from 1 or 2 Corinthians...) As for the first 7 teachings, haven't heard of them? Well you and really everone else, they are very strange, unique, and very specific to the radical charismatic movement in general and are so odd that most systematic theology texts do not even talk about them.<br />
****<br />
<br />
<u>The Denigration of the Bible and Sola Scriptura</u><br />
<br />
One of the biggest issues of this movement is not only their inappropriate use and interpretations of the Bible, but their denial of one of the bedrock doctrines of the Reformation and evangelical Christianity: Sola Scriptura or Scripture Alone. Sola scriptura is the notion that the Bible is whole revealed will of God and all that is necessary for faith (all teachings are contained within the Bible) and practice (the things we need to govern our church and everyday life). For an excellent explanation of this by Dr. Greg Bahnsen go <a href="http://www.christiantruth.com/bahnsen.html" id="r_bb" title="here">here</a>. Basically, God does not need to give us anymore revelation and this was first used in the Reformation against the Roman Catholic church that said we needed their traditions and clergy, but now it is directly under attack by IHOP. They might say they believe in it, but their actions outright deny it.<br />
<br />
Let me explain, when Christians need to know anything about God's will pertaining anywhere from the atonement of Christ to buying a used car, b/c God has given his complete revelation in the Bible, we do not need to look at another place to know what God would say. So let's say I'm buying a used car, I see the Bible says to seek counsel, be wise, be humble, be good steward of my money, and that if my conscience is good that it would be a good idea to buy the car. The Holy Spirit can definitely illuminate and convict my conscious - BUT THAT IS A FAR CRY FROM HEARING GOD'S AUDIBLE VOICE AND SEEING JESUS.<br />
<br />
When people from IHOP make decisions they do not use the Bible as the only revealed revelation from God b/c they supposedly still get direct revelations from Him, thereby denying a 100% reliance on the Bible. Now they might say all prophecy needs to be checked against the Bible, but the point is they cannot say the Bible is the whole revealed will of God. To make it more clear, just imagine yourself making a big decision, say on where to serve in the church:<br />
<br />
1st Scenario: You pray, read the Bible, find out what spiritual gift you have, what kind of strengths you have, talk to your pastor, then with a clean conscience and conviction you go ahead and serve in whatever position.<br />
<br />
2nd Scenario: You pray, read the Bible, find out what spiritual gift you have, what<br />
kind of strengths you have, talk to your pastor, then God tells you in a dream, you hear His voice, or someone prophesies that you should do this or that position. Then you go ahead and serve based on whatever God's direct revelation said.<br />
<br />
See how they are not directly and 100% dependent on the Bible?!?! They deny this very doctrine that defines the protestant and evangelical faith. Sadly this kind of story happens all the time...<br />
*******<br />
<br />
<u>Conclusion</u><br />
<br />
We have seen that the issue with IHOP is not about whether tongues and prophecy exists for today, rather it is simply are the leaders of IHOP false prophets? If so, their whole ministry which was started by these prophecies is not of God than by necessity of the devil.<br />
<br />
We have also seen that both the OT and the NT give multiple warnings about false prophets (which means they are out there) and the seriousness of the sin that false prophecy is. We should not tolerate this heinous sin. On the flip side, we have seen the multiple warnings that we must obey God's true prophets and prophecies or face severe consequences of disobeying God Himself.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately that puts the rest of Christianity in the <span style="color: red;">IHOP Dilemma</span> and by seeing the types of dreams and teachings they propound, it is obvious that they are not receiving messages from our all powerful and thrice Holy God. Many, many Christians have responded and now IHOP and Mike Bickle are questioned as a cult group (see "Apologetics Index a Christian Anti-Cult Group" click <a href="http://www.apologeticsindex.org/b56.html" id="b95o" title="here">here</a>)<br />
<br />
If you know anybody who is interested in IHOP or doesn't know what they are about please send them to this article, in order to warn them of the danger there! These guys are trying to take their false prophetic message and spread their sin and poison, not only in the US, but in Europe and Asia too. A tactic they try to ploy is, "You've never been there you gotta come and see for yourself." Do we need to go to a Mormon or JW church to know that they are wrong? NO! IHOPs beliefs have nothing to do with going there or not, they need to be defended intellectually and biblically.<br />
<br />
Remember too that Satan cannot take away your salvation, but can render you totally ineffective for God's Kingdom. Remember Ted Haggard (who was friendly with IHOP nonetheless...) was president of a national evangelical association and head pastor of a church, but b/c of sin he is totally ineffective now, though saved. I have seen people with great productive lives and immense potential to be used by God, only to be snuffed out by IHOP by giving up their careers and receiving training there.<br />
<br />
So remember that although the people there are good people, this does not mean they are not engaged in gross sin. In our hearts we care for them, but we must stay true to the Word of God and if you really do love them, bring them back to God with the Truth.<br />
<br />
I leave you with this final verses:<br />
<div id="gm1-2"></div><div id="gm1-2"></div>James 5:19My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, 20let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.<br />
<br />
<div id="gm1-2">Jeremiah 5:31 "<b>The prophets prophesy falsely,</b>And the priests rule on their own authority;And My people love it so! <b>But what will you do at the end of it</b>?"<br />
_________________</div></div></div>For more information on the dangers of IHOP: (Be sure to go to search and put in "IHOP" and/or "Mike Bickle" on these pages search engine)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.apologeticsindex.org/b56.html" id="c1g5" title="Apologetics Index an Anti-Cult Christian Group">Apologetics Index an Anti-Cult Christian Group</a><br />
<a href="http://gospelmasquerade.wordpress.com/" id="wi:i" title="Critical Issues Commentary">The Gospel Masquerade</a> *Former Staff Member! Highly Recommended*<br />
<a href="http://signofjonah.wordpress.com/2007/08/27/whats-cookin-in-ihops-kitchen/" id="y3.s" title="Sign of Jonah">Sign of Jonah</a> - *Lots of Good Info*<br />
<a href="http://www.intotruth.org/kcp/kcp-metro1.htm" id="tto0" title="Cross+Word: In Truth Ministries">Cross+Word: In Truth Ministries</a> - *Lots of Good Info*<br />
<a href="http://www.deceptionbytes.com/AberrentDoctrinesKCF">Pastor Ernie Gruen's 123 Page Documentation</a> - Lots of Personal Testimonies<br />
<a href="http://thegreycoats.com/the-vindication-of-ernie-gruen/">The Grey Coats </a><br />
<a href="http://herescope.blogspot.com/2008/09/ihop-latter-rain.html" id="n4zv" title="Discernment Research Group">Discernment Research Group</a><br />
<a href="http://www.discernment-ministries.org/JoelsArmy3.htm" id="kwcf" title="Discernment Ministries">Discernment Ministries</a><br />
<a href="http://www.biblebb.com/mac-a-g.htm" id="ljcm" title="Ministry of John MacArthur">Ministry of John MacArthur</a> - Scroll down to "Charismatic Chaos"<br />
<a href="http://cicministry.org/articles.php" id="wi:i" title="Critical Issues Commentary">Critical Issues Commentary</a><br />
<a href="http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/ihop.htm" id="x3_." title="Light House Trails Research Project">Light House Trails Research Project</a><br />
<a href="http://teampyro.blogspot.com/2007/11/something-nice.html" id="kndx" title="Pyromaniacs">Pyromaniacs</a><br />
<a href="http://www.arcapologetics.org/gibson.htm" id="r48n" title="Apologetics Research Center">Apologetics Research Center</a>The Predestined Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01587261989476613134noreply@blogger.com118tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197404598798041270.post-79834464983918047222008-10-08T13:09:00.004-05:002008-10-08T13:44:58.458-05:00Justification by Faith Alone<span style="font-size:100%;"><u><b>Fundamental Doctrine of the Faith: Justification by Faith Alone</b><b> (Sola Fide)</b></u></span><br /><u><br />Introduction</u><br /><br />What is a fundamental doctrine of the faith? It is a teaching or belief that is absolutely essentially to the identity of a religion or philosophy i.e. without adherence to that teaching or belief would automatically cause one not to be of that faith or religion.<br /><br />Justification by faith alone is that doctrine which makes us uniquely protestants and evangelicals.<br /><br />The doctrine by which the Church stands or falls – Martin Luther<br /><br /> For the doctrine of justification by faith [alone] is like Atlas. It bears a whole world on its shoulders, the entire evangelical knowledge of God the Savior – Dr. J.I. Packer<br /><br />Galatians 2:16 “nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.”<br /><br /> Romans 3:28 “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.”<br /><u><br /></u>1. <u>What is justification</u>?<br /><br />Justification is an instantaneous legal act of God in which He (1) thinks of our sins as forgiven and Christ’s righteousness as belonging to us, and (2) declares us to be righteous in His Sight. (Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology p. 723)<br /><br /> 2. Faith is a gift from God, not something we gained through works<br /><br />Romans 3:25 “being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus”<br /><br />Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”<br /><br />Romans 4:4-5 “4Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. 5But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.”<br /><br />3. <u>Imputation of Righteousness</u><br /><br />*Christ death takes away our sins (takes away our debt), but His righteousness merits favor before God (gives us credit)*<br /><br />He imputes righteousness, not imparts! <br /><br />“‘Imputation’ is different from ‘impartation.’ God does ‘impart’ to us gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit, so that we have them and they are in us growing and they are ours. But all of that gracious impartation through the Spirit is built on an even more firm foundation, namely, imputation - the work of God outside of us: God's own righteousness, not imparted to us, but imputed to us.” – Dr. John Piper<br /><br />2 Corinthians 5:21 “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him”<br /><br />Romans 3:22 “even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction”<br /><br />Romans 4:3 “For what does the Scripture say? "ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS."”<br /><br />Isaiah 61:10 “I will rejoice greatly in the LORD,<br /> My soul will exult in my God;<br /> For He has clothed me with garments of salvation,<br /> He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness,<br /> As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,<br /> And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”<br /><br /> The righteousness we have before God is not our own, but Christ’s !<br /><br />Can we really amass enough good works to get into heaven? Can we even amass enough good works to get into Harvard?<br /><br />“We are not justified because of the inherent goodness of our faith, as if our faith has merit before God. It never allows us to think that our faith in itself earns favor with God. Rather, Scripture says that we are justified ‘by means of’ our faith, understanding faith to be the instrument through which justification is given to us, but not at all an activity that earns us merit or favor with God. Rather we are justified solely because of the merits of Christ’s work” (Grudem, Systematic Theology p. 730).<br /><br />“First, notice that at the end of verse 6 and at the end of verse 11 in Romans 4 you have a very different way of expressing ‘imputation’ or crediting. At the end of verse 6 it says, ‘God credits righteousness apart from works.’ And at the end of verse 11 it says, ‘. . . that righteousness might be credited to them.’ Notice: in both of these, faith is not the thing credited as righteousness, but righteousness is the thing credited to us. ‘God credits righteousness,’ not ‘God credits faith as righteousness.’ What this does is alert us to the good possibility that when Paul says, ‘Faith is credited as righteousness,’ he may well mean, ‘God credits righteousness to us through faith.’” - Dr. John Piper<br /><br /> 4. <u>Why Faith?</u><br /><br />“When we come to Christ in faith we essentially say, ‘I give up! I will not depend on myself or my own good works any longer. I know that I can never make myself righteous before God. Therefore, Jesus, I trust you and depend on you completely to give me a righteous standing before God” (Grudem, Systematic Theology p. 730)<br /><br />To say you “don’t believe in justification by faith alone” is not just to say “I must add my own works to go to heaven,” but “I don’t believe that Jesus Christ’s work on the cross is sufficient for my salvation.”<br /><br />5. <u>Justification in Roman Catholicism<br /></u><br /> This section is meant to further highlight why justification by faith alone is a unique and fundamental doctrine to the protestant and evangelical church.<br /><br />Ludwig Ott, Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma (1974):<br /><br />“According to the teaching of the Council of Trent, justification is ‘sanctifying and renewing of the inner man’… The instrumental cause… of the first justification is the Sacrament of Baptism… As far as the content of justifying faith is concerned the so-called fiducial faith [by faith alone] does not suffice.”<br /><br />“Official Roman Catholic theology includes sanctification in the definition of justification, which it sees as a process rather than a single decisive event, and affirms that while faith contributes to our acceptance with God, our works of satisfaction and merit contribute too. Rome sees baptism, viewed as a channel of sanctifying grace, as the primary instrumental cause of justification, and the sacrament of penance, whereby congruous merit is achieved through works of satisfaction, as the supplementary restorative cause whenever the grace of God’s initial acceptance is lost through mortal sin. Congruous, as distinct from condign, merit means merit that it is fitting, though not absolutely necessary, for God to reward by a fresh flow of sanctifying grace. On the Roman Catholic view, therefore, believers save themselves with the help of the grace that flows from Christ through the church’s sacramental system, and in this life no sense of confidence in God’s grace can ordinarily be had. Such teaching is a far cry from that of Paul." – Dr. J.I. Packer<br /><br />Council of Trent (1545-1563): "If anyone says that by faith alone the sinner is justified, so as to mean that nothing else is required to cooperate in order to obtain the grace of justification . . . let him be anathema."<br /><br /> Evangelical Gospel (Justification by Faith Alone/Imputed Righteousness) vs the Roman Catholic Gospel (Justification by Faith and Works/Infused Righteousness)<br /><br /> This is the primary reason we are 2 different religions, it is because we have 2 different gospels! And as Paul says, whoever has the wrong one will be declared anathema.<br /><br /> *We do not believe it is something inherently good in us that saves, rather it is Christ alone.*<br /><br /> 6. <u>Conclusion</u><br /><br /> “One day as I was passing into the field . . . this sentence fell upon my soul. Thy righteousness is in heaven. And methought, withal, I saw with the eyes of my soul Jesus Christ at God's right hand; there, I say, was my righteousness; so that wherever I was, or whatever I was doing, God could not say of me, he wants [lacks] my righteousness, for that was just before [in front of] him. I also saw, moreover, that it was not my good frame of heart that made my righteousness better, nor yet my bad frame that made my righteousness worse, for my righteousness was Jesus Christ himself, "The same yesterday, today and, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).<br /><br />Now did my chains fall off my legs indeed. I was loosed from my afflictions and irons; my temptations also fled away; so that from that time those dreadful scriptures of God left off to trouble me; now went I also home rejoicing for the grace and love of God.” From DesiringGod.org quoting John Bunyan, Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners, [Hertfordshire: Evangelical Press, 1978, orig. 1666], pp. 90-91.<br /><br />What’s the big deal?<br /><br /> Galatians 1:8 “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed [go to hell]!”<br /><br />God receives all the glory and credit for our salvation! He elected us, sent His Son to die for us, and raised Him from the grave. What are we really going to add to His work?<br /><br />To God be all the glory! (Soli Deo Gloria)The Predestined Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01587261989476613134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197404598798041270.post-50592917602905883152008-08-08T00:27:00.002-05:002008-08-08T00:31:18.586-05:00The Gospel of Luke and Prayer As I was reading through Luke, I couldn't help, but notice Jesus' prayer life and the amazing things that happened after Luke mentions praying. A good verse to headline this entry would be:<br id="jauo"><br id="jauo0"><div id="jauo1" style="margin-left: 40px;">Luke 5:16 But Jesus Himself would <b id="yw3p">often</b> slip away to the wilderness and pray.<br id="y8w3"><br id="y8w30"></div>Admittedly, my prayer life is not the best and I'm hoping this study will help you and me become more diligent in our prayer life. I believe this is a good compliment to my recent entry on <a title="Jesus and His high view of the Scripture" href="http://thepredestinedblog.blogspot.com/2008/07/matthew-jesus-and-scripture-there-has.html" id="sh1x">Jesus and His high view of the Scripture</a>.<br id="zigc"><br id="zigc0">1. Luke 1:<span id="en-NASB-24902" class="sup">8</span>Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division, <span id="en-NASB-24903" class="sup">9</span>according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. <span id="en-NASB-24904" class="sup">10</span>And <b id="yw3p0">the whole multitude of the people were in prayer </b>outside at the hour of the incense offering. <span id="en-NASB-24905" class="sup">11</span><b id="psdz">And an angel of the Lord appeared to him,</b> standing to the right of the altar of incense.<br id="yw3p1"><br id="psdz0">After Zacharias went into to do his priestly service (and no doubt praying) and the multitude outside pleading with God, Gabriel appears and announces the birth of John the Baptist.<br id="bx9g"><br id="bx9g0">2. Luke 2;<span id="en-NASB-25010" class="sup">36</span>And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, <span id="en-NASB-25011" class="sup">37</span>and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, <b id="b62e">serving night and day with fastings and prayers</b>. <span id="en-NASB-25012" class="sup">38</span><b id="l8fd">At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God,</b> and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. <br id="yw3p2"><br id="jtt1">This woman who had an incredible prayer life was given the privilege to see Christ.<br id="jtt10"><br id="jtt11">3. <span id="en-NASB-25047" class="sup">Luke 3:21</span>Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and <b id="h4id">while He was praying, heaven was opened</b>, <span id="en-NASB-25048" class="sup">22</span>and <b id="h4id0">the Holy Spirit descended upon Him</b> in bodily form like a dove, and <b id="h4id1">a voice came out of heaven</b>, "You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased."<br id="h4id2"><br id="h4id3">This is something I did not notice before. After His baptism, while He was praying that the Spirit descended and the Father's voice came out.<br id="h4id4"><div id="jauo5"><br id="jauo6">4. <span id="en-NASB-25159" class="sup">Luke 6:12</span>It was at this time that <b id="f2ju">He went off to the mountain to pray</b>, and He <b id="f2ju0">spent the whole night in prayer</b> to God. <span id="en-NASB-25160" class="sup">13</span><b id="w6.v">And</b> <b id="w6.v0">when day came</b>, He called His disciples to Him and <b id="w6.v1">chose twelve of them</b>, whom He also named as <b id="w6.v2">apostles</b>: </div><br id="y5j:">After spending a whole night in prayer, Jesus chose the 12 Apostles on which the foundation of the church is built (cf. Eph 2:20). I can't help, but assume that He did pray for them and I noticed that before making this big decision, the Bible notes that he prayed all night long. If Jesus does this for big decisions, how much more should we?<br id="cvi4"><br id="cvi40">5. <span id="en-NASB-25320" class="sup">Luke 9:18</span>And it happened that <b id="n5cg">while He was praying alone</b>, the disciples were with Him, and <b id="n5cg0">He questioned them</b>, saying, "Who do the people say that I am?" <span id="en-NASB-25321" class="sup">19</span>They answered and said, "John the Baptist, and others say Elijah; but others, that one of the prophets of old has risen again." <span id="en-NASB-25322" class="sup">20</span>And He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" And Peter answered and said, "<b id="c412">The Christ of God</b>."<br id="v2z3"><br id="v2z30">The great confession that Jesus is the Christ came after prayer.<br id="x88f"><br id="x88f0">6. Luke 9:<span id="en-NASB-25330" class="sup">28</span> Some eight days after these sayings, <b id="l2qo">He took along Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray</b>. <span id="en-NASB-25331" class="sup">29</span>And <b id="haiv">while He was praying</b>, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming. <span id="en-NASB-25332" class="sup">30</span>And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, <span id="en-NASB-25333" class="sup">31</span>who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. <br id="haiv0"><br id="haiv1">Wow, I never noticed this, but just like in His baptism, while Jesus was praying was he Transfigured! I also noticed that Jesus took the "Big 3" with Him to pray. Can you imagine being asked by Jesus to come pray with Him? That would be so awesome, yet I must admit I keep thinking "Could I keep up with Him? What if He goes on too long? What if I fall asleep?" <br id="n5cg1"><br id="n5cg2">7. Luke 11<span id="en-NASB-25407" class="sup">:1 </span>It happened that <b id="q5zp">while Jesus was praying</b> in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, <b id="q5zp0">teach us to pray</b> just as John also taught his disciples<br id="q5zp1"><br id="l4qk">After observing Jesus pray (which must have been quite a sight) they wanted to know how to pray. Jesus instructs them:<br id="l4qk0"><br id="l4qk1">a) The Lord's Prayer<br id="l4qk2">b) To be persistent<br id="vi7i">c) To ask, seek, and knock<br id="vi7i0">d) God will definitely answer our prayers and give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him<div id="mq8n"><br id="mq8n0"></div><div id="mq8n1">8. Luke 18:1 Now He was telling them a parable to show that <b id="bs8w">at all times </b>they ought to <b id="bs8w0">pray</b> and <b id="bs8w1">not to lose heart</b>,<br id="bs8w2"><br id="bs8w3">This instruction to pray at all times (cf. 1 Thess 5:17) is followed immediately by the parable of the unrighteous judge which ended by Jesus saying in Luke 18 "6Hear what the unrighteous judge said; <span id="en-NASB-25696" class="sup">7</span>now, <b id="qj4y">will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night</b>, and will He delay long over them? <span id="en-NASB-25697" class="sup">8</span>"I tell you that <b id="qj4y0">He will bring about justice for them quickly</b>. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" <br id="zxek"><br id="zxek0">9. Jesus quoting Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11 says in Luke 19:46 "It is written, ' AND MY HOUSE SHALL BE A HOUSE OF <b id="okmu">PRAYER</b>,' but you have made it a ROBBERS' DEN." He calls the temple a house of <b id="okmu0">prayer </b>- do you think prayer might be important?<br id="okmu1"><br id="okmu2">10. Do not offer fake prayers for appearance sake b/c God knows as the Lord put in Luke 20:47 as He was warning the Pharisees, "for appearance's sake offer long <b id="y5y5">pray</b><b id="hswh">ers</b>. <b id="hswh0">These will receive greater condemnation</b>"<br id="hswh1"><br id="hswh2">11. Luke 21:<span id="en-NASB-25863" class="sup">36</span>"But keep on the alert at all times, <b id="e2je">praying that you may have strength to escape all these things</b> that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."<br id="e2je0"><br id="e2je1">The last verse of the Olivet discourse ends by Jesus telling the people to pray to escape the foreordained events that are about to follow. The way to be delivered from the terrible events that will happen is through prayer.<br id="e2je2"><br id="e2je3"><p id="fjzw">12. Luke 21:<span id="en-NASB-25864" class="sup">37</span>Now during the day He was teaching in the temple, <b id="yynr">but at evening He would go out and spend the night on the mount</b> that is called Olivet. <br id="yynr0"></p><p id="yynr1"><br id="yynr2"></p><p id="yynr3">Another glimpse into the prayer life of Jesus. During His last week, He went to pray on the Mount of Olives.</p><p id="yynr4"><br id="yynr5"></p><p id="jfwq">13. Luke 22:<span id="en-NASB-25896" class="sup">31</span>"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; <span id="en-NASB-25897" class="sup">32</span>but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." <br id="jfwq0"></p><p id="jfwq1"><br id="jfwq2"></p><p id="jfwq3">Jesus protected Peter from Satan through prayer. Not quite sure what to make of all this, but we can see Jesus believed in the power of prayer.<br id="jfwq4"></p><br id="bs8w4">14. Luke 22:40 "When He arrived at the place, He said to them, " <b id="kg27">Pray</b> that you may not enter into temptation."<br id="kg270"> Luke 22:46 "Why are you sleeping? Get up and <b id="qpin">pray</b> that you may not enter into temptation."<br id="n3em"><br id="n3em0">Echoes of the Lord's prayer ("and lead us not into temptation")? Jesus emphasizing that through prayer the apostles could be rescued from temptation or should I say delivered from evil.<br id="qpin0"><br id="qpin1">15. Luke 22:44 "And being in agony He was <b id="u3k4">praying very fervently</b>; and <b id="u3k40">His sweat became like drops of blood,</b> falling down upon the ground."<br id="u3k41"><br id="u3k42">This is Jesus at the garden of Gethsemane. You must find a copy of C.J. Mahaney's sermon from the first Resolved conference and listen to it. It is absolutely the best explanation of what was going on in this garden. Jesus knew better than anyone the Holiness and Justice of God and b/c of this He knew exactly the pain He was to endure on the Cross. In Matthew and Mark Jesus says His soul was "grieved to death" and C.J. Mahaney makes the point that given the situation, perhaps Jesus was grieved almost to the point of death. We can see that Jesus was praying so hard that His sweat was like blood! After this prayer we can see that the greatest event of all history happened, the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. <br id="s56i"><br id="s56i0">Conclusion: It is evident from Luke's Gospel the high priority Jesus placed on prayer. We can see that many important things happened during or right after Luke mentions Christ praying. We should always be praying at all times as Luke 18:1 states and to give heed to all the instruction and examples Jesus gave us regarding prayer.<br id="u3k43"></div>The Predestined Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01587261989476613134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197404598798041270.post-2241859270912527622008-07-14T09:36:00.009-05:002008-12-08T09:36:51.700-06:00The Gospel of Matthew : Jesus and the Scripture<span id="ioym" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym1" style="font-family:verdana;">There has been a lot of debate on how to study the Bible, especially in regards to its inerrancy, reliability, and how applicable it is for today. One of the best places to look would be to see how Jesus view, used, and taught the Scripture. Here is a listing of almost every Old Testament (OT) verse used in Matthew.<br /><br /></span></span><div id="c1dz1"><span id="ioym" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym2" style="font-family:verdana;">1. </span><span id="ioym3" style="font-family:verdana;"> Matthew 1:</span><span id="jig_" style="font-size:85%;">22</span><span id="en-NASB-23168" style="vertical-align: text-top;"><span id="ioym6" style="font-family:verdana;">Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet</span><span id="ioym7" style="font-family:verdana;">: </span></span>23<span id="snuh" style="vertical-align: text-top;"><span id="ioym10" style="font-family:verdana;">"BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL," which translated means, "GOD WITH US." </span></span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="y6-d"><span id="ioym" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym11" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="y6-d2"><span id="ioym" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym12" style="font-family:verdana;">This quotation is from Isaiah 9:6. As with the other prophecies, Matthew assumes the reader can fully understand and comprehend these prophetic texts (ie it has a specific meaning not "what does it means to you"). Furthermore, he ascribes, the authority of God on this text. You'd be hard pressed to say that "spoken by the Lord" does not mean inerrant.</span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="sn21"><span id="ioym" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="sn210" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="ug2y3"><span id="ioym" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym13" style="font-family:verdana;">2. Matthew 2:</span>5<span id="ioym16" style="font-family:verdana;">They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: </span></span>6<span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym20" style="font-family:verdana;">'AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH, ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH; FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER</span></span> <span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym22" style="font-family:verdana;">WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.'"</span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="ug2y5"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym23" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="ug2y8"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym24" style="font-family:verdana;">Quote from Micah 5:2. Hard to see anything, but that Matthew expects his reader to clearly see a literal fulfillment of this prophecy through Jesus. </span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="sn212"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="sn213" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="r8tz"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym25" style="font-family:verdana;">3. More prophecies 2:15 (quoting Hosea 11:1), 2:17 (Jeremiah 31:15), 2:23 (see <a href="http://www.cresourcei.org/branch.html" id="epox" title="here">here</a>, <a href="http://www.lookinguntojesus.net/ata20040118.htm" id="dj:m" title="here">here</a>, or <a href="http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/573-was-matthew-mistaken-in-the-nazarene-prophecy" id="a8qv" title="here">here</a> ), 4:15 (Isaiah 9:1). Already we see Matthew making a case for Jesus from </span><b id="sku03"><span id="ioym26" style="font-family:verdana;">the Scriptures</span></b><span id="ioym27" style="font-family:verdana;">. He is methodically using OT passages, using them as syllogisms, and appealing to the authority and perspicuity (clarity) of Scripture.</span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="s2e1"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym28" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="ioym30"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym31" style="font-family:verdana;">More fulfillments: 8:17 (Isaiah 53:4), 11:10 (Malachi 3:1), 12:18 (Isaiah 42:1-4), 13:14 (Isaiah 6:9-10), 13:35 (Psalm 78:2), Matthew 15:8-9 (Isaiah 29:13). Matthew 21:5 (Zechariah 9:9), 26:31 (Zechariah 13:7), 27:9-10 (Zechariah 11:13) </span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="s2e12"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym32" style="font-family:verdana;">4. Even the Messiah's forerunner in the OT in Isaiah 40:3 and used for a witness for John the Baptist.</span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="y6pw"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym33" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="y6pw2"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym34" style="font-family:verdana;">5. Very famous usage of Scripture via Jesus comes in Matthew 4 when He is tempted by Satan. Here he uses 3 verses from Deuteronomy: 8:3, 6:16, and 6:13. So much has been said about this, but in reference to our postmodern age (who doesn't even believe in Hell or Satan), Jesus didn't appeal to his inner strength only to fight off evil, but the authority and clarity of the Scripture. Even Satan tries to use Scripture against Jesus because the devil knows (albeit twisting them) the authority and the reverence Jesus has to it!</span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="dn_j0"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym35" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="z8da"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym36" style="font-family:verdana;">6. Matthew 5:</span>17<span id="ioym39" style="font-family:verdana;"><span id="ioym40">"</span>Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. </span>18<span id="xmid" style="font-family:verdana;"><span id="xmid0" style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span id="ioym46" style="font-family:verdana;"><span id="ioym47">"For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. </span></span></span></span>19<span id="xmid1" style="font-family:verdana;"><span id="xmid2" style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span id="xmid3" style="font-family:verdana;"><span id="xmid4"><span id="xmid5" style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span id="ioym53" style="font-family:verdana;"><span id="ioym54">"Whoever then </span></span><b id="sku07"><span id="ioym55" style="font-family:verdana;"><span id="ioym56">annuls one of the least of these commandments</span></span></b><span id="ioym57" style="font-family:verdana;"><span id="ioym58">,</span></span><b id="sku08"><span id="ioym59" style="font-family:verdana;"><span id="ioym60">and teaches others to do the same</span></span></b><span id="ioym61" style="font-family:verdana;"><span id="ioym62">, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven;</span></span><b id="sku09"><span id="ioym63" style="font-family:verdana;"><span id="ioym64">but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.</span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="dn_j3"></div><div id="cw6:3"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym66" style="font-family:verdana;">Is it important that Jesus did not want to go against what the Law and the Prophets/Bible revealed. The people in the crowd, perhaps they were awaiting the new covenant or wanting Jesus to overturn the Romans and establish a new theocracy with new laws. Now a days we sometimes think that the NT has replaced the OT, but no! Jesus came to fulfill it not to take it away and neither should we attempt to brush the OT aside. In fact Jesus' praise was so high he said no part of the Law would disappear. Even more, Christ said that one's greatness in the kingdom of heaven could depend how seriously you took it ie whether we annual some rules b/c our modern day culture will not accept it (ie homosexuality, divorce, sanctity of life, etc.) We need to ask do we have the same attitude that is in Jesus?</span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="k-2u"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym67" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="s1la2"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym68" style="font-family:verdana;">7. On the sermon on the mount Jesus goes over these verses: Exodus 20:13, 14, Deut 24:1, Numbers 30:2, Exodus 21:24, and Leviticus 19:18. We get to here Jesus explain these verses and correct the false teachings surrounding them.<br /> </span></span><br /></div><div id="iysp" style="text-align: left;"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym69" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="iysp2" style="text-align: left;"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym70" style="font-family:verdana;">Matthew 5:21 "You shall not commit murder"; </span>22<span id="ioym74" style="font-family:verdana;">"But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be </span><b id="c.n_0"><span id="ioym75" style="font-family:verdana;">guilty enough to go into the fiery hell</span></b><span id="ioym76" style="font-family:verdana;">.</span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="s-g00" style="text-align: left;"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym77" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="s-g03" style="text-align: left;"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym78" style="font-family:verdana;">Matthew 5:27 "You shall not commit adultery" </span>28<span id="ioym81" style="font-family:verdana;">but I say to you that everyone who</span><b id="c.n_2"><span id="ioym82" style="font-family:verdana;"> looks </span></b><span id="ioym83" style="font-family:verdana;">at a woman with lust for her </span><b id="c.n_3"><span id="ioym84" style="font-family:verdana;">h</span></b><b id="c.n_4"><span id="ioym85" style="font-family:verdana;">as already committed adultery</span></b><span id="ioym86" style="font-family:verdana;"> with her in his heart.</span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="s10h1" style="text-align: left;"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym87" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="k-2u2"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym88" style="font-family:verdana;">Matthew 5:31 "Whoever sends his wife away, let him give her a certificate of divorce" </span>32<span id="ioym91" style="font-family:verdana;">but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, </span><b id="c.n_6"><span id="ioym92" style="font-family:verdana;">except</span></b><span id="ioym93" style="font-family:verdana;"> for the reason of unchastity, makes her </span><b id="c.n_7"><span id="ioym94" style="font-family:verdana;">commit adultery</span></b><span id="ioym95" style="font-family:verdana;">; and whoever marries a divorced woman</span><b id="c.n_8"><span id="ioym96" style="font-family:verdana;"> commits adultery</span></b><span id="ioym97" style="font-family:verdana;">.</span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="pg_l2"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym98" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="cg1b"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym99" style="font-family:verdana;">Matthew 5:33 "You shall not make false vows, but shall fulfill your vows to the Lord" </span>37<span id="ioym103" style="font-family:verdana;">"But let your statement be, 'Yes, yes' or 'No, no'; </span><b id="c.n_10"><span id="ioym104" style="font-family:verdana;">anything beyond these is of evil</span></b><span id="ioym105" style="font-family:verdana;">.</span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="ylef0"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym106" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="ylef3"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym107" style="font-family:verdana;">Matthew 5:38 "An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth" 3</span>9<span id="ioym110" style="font-family:verdana;">"But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, <span id="sn215"><b id="rd4c">t</b></span></span><b id="c.n_12"><span id="ioym111" style="font-family:verdana;">urn the other to him also</span></b><span id="ioym112" style="font-family:verdana;">.</span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="qml10"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym113" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="qml13"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym114" style="font-family:verdana;">Matthew 5:43 "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy" ("hate your enemy" is not in the Bible and is a scribal and/or Pharisaic insertion); </span>44<span id="ioym117" style="font-family:verdana;">"But I say to you, </span><b id="c.n_14"><span id="ioym118" style="font-family:verdana;">love your enemies</span></b><span id="ioym119" style="font-family:verdana;"> and pray for those who persecute you.<br /><br /></span></span></div><div id="tosy0"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym120" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="tosy3"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym121" style="font-family:verdana;">Okay, so there really is no disagreement on v. 38 and 43 and rightfully so. Jesus surely focused on the preeminence of love. However, when was the last time you heard anybody, but true Bible believing folks, talk about hell and marriage like Jesus does in verses 21, 27, and 31? With Jesus "1 out of 2" ain't good enough. </span></span><br /><br /><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym121" style="font-family:verdana;">8. Matthew 8:2-4 </span></span></div><div id="aymu0"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="en-NASB-23348"><span id="ioym123" style="font-family:verdana;">2</span></span><span id="ioym124" style="font-family:verdana;">And a leper came to Him and bowed down before Him, and said, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." </span><span id="en-NASB-23349"><span id="ioym125" style="font-family:verdana;">3</span></span><span id="ioym126" style="font-family:verdana;">Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. </span><span id="en-NASB-23350"><span id="ioym127" style="font-family:verdana;">4</span></span><span id="ioym128" style="font-family:verdana;">And Jesus said to him, "See that you tell no one; but go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."</span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="aymu2"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym129" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="aymu4"></div><div id="aymu6"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym131" style="font-family:verdana;">What was the first thing Jesus wanted him to do? To fulfill what was written in Leviticus 14:2-4: <span id="sn216" style="font-family:Trebuchet;"><span id="en-NASB-3114"><span id="ioym132" style="font-family:verdana;">2</span></span><span id="ioym133" style="font-family:verdana;">"This shall be the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing. Now he shall be brought to the priest, <span id="ioym134" style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span id="en-NASB-3115"><span id="ioym135" style="font-family:verdana;"><span id="ioym136">3</span></span></span><span id="ioym137" style="font-family:verdana;"><span id="ioym138">and the priest shall go out to the outside of the camp. Thus the priest shall look, and if the infection of leprosy has been healed in the leper,<span id="ioym139" style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span id="en-NASB-3116"><span id="ioym140" style="font-family:verdana;"><span id="ioym141">4</span></span></span><span id="ioym142" style="font-family:verdana;"><span id="ioym143">then the priest shall give orders to take two live clean birds and cedar wood and a scarlet string and hyssop for the one who is to be cleansed.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="pg_l5"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym144" style="font-family:verdana;"> 9. Matthew 12:3-7; 40-42 - Rebuking the Pharisees with the Bible itself. He is taking their interpretation and putting it on their heads. It is evident that correct exegesis (interpreting the text), as opposed to eisegesis (your own interpretation of the text) was critical to Christ and that He believed in the historicity of the events of the OT. </span></span><br /><br /><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym144" style="font-family:verdana;"> 10. Matthew 13 and the parable of the seeds and the sower. Remember here the seed =The Word! It can bear a hundredfold in fruit. </span></span><br /><br /><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym144" style="font-family:verdana;">11. Matthew 15:<span id="plua2" style="font-family:Trebuchet;"><span id="en-NASB-23638"><span id="ioym146" style="font-family:verdana;">4</span></span><span id="ioym147" style="font-family:verdana;">"For God said, 'HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER,' and, 'HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER OR MOTHER IS TO BE PUT TO DEATH.' </span><span id="en-NASB-23639"><span id="ioym148" style="font-family:verdana;">5</span></span><span id="ioym149" style="font-family:verdana;">"But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or mother, "Whatever I have that would help you has been given to God," </span><span id="en-NASB-23640"><span id="ioym150" style="font-family:verdana;">6</span></span><span id="ioym151" style="font-family:verdana;">he is not to honor his father or his mother.' And by this you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition.<br /><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div id="ioym152"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym153" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="jj213"></div><div id="jj215"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym155" style="font-family:verdana;">The authority of Scripture (and its clarity) is set against the Pharisaic tradition. Once again, good doctrine overtakes bad doctrine.</span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="ioym156"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym157" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="da.k0"></div><div id="da.k2"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym159" style="font-family:verdana;">12. Matthew 16:</span><span id="en-NASB-23684"><span id="ioym160" style="font-family:verdana;">11</span></span><span id="ioym161" style="font-family:verdana;"> "How is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." </span><span id="en-NASB-23685"><span id="ioym162" style="font-family:verdana;">12</span></span><span id="ioym163" style="font-family:verdana;">Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees."<br /><br /></span></span></div><div id="ioym164"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym165" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="hdic0"></div><div id="hdic2"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym167" style="font-family:verdana;">Jesus hates false teaching!</span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="ioym168"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym169" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="ulen"></div><div id="ulen1"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym171" style="font-family:verdana;">13. Matthew 18:16 "But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED." </span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="ioym172"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym173" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="ioym175"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym176" style="font-family:verdana;">Jesus uses Deuteronomy 19:15 for church discipline. </span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="ioym177"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym178" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="euk:"></div><div id="euk:1"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym180" style="font-family:verdana;">14. Matthew 19:</span><span id="en-NASB-23766"><span id="ioym181" style="font-family:verdana;">3</span></span><span id="ioym182" style="font-family:verdana;"> "Some Pharisees came to Jesus, testing Him and asking, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all?" </span><span id="en-NASB-23767"><span id="ioym183" style="font-family:verdana;">4</span></span><span id="ioym184" style="font-family:verdana;">And He answered and said, "Have you not read that He </span><b id="lhn3" style="color:red;"><span id="ioym185" style="font-family:verdana;">[God]</span></b><span id="ioym186" style="font-family:verdana;"> who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE, </span><span id="en-NASB-23768"><span id="ioym187" style="font-family:verdana;">5</span></span><span id="ioym188" style="font-family:verdana;">and </span><b id="lhn30" style="color:red;"><span id="ioym189" style="font-family:verdana;">[God] said</span></b><span id="ioym190" style="font-family:verdana;">, 'FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH'? </span><span id="en-NASB-23769"><span id="ioym191" style="font-family:verdana;">6</span></span><span id="ioym192" style="font-family:verdana;">"So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore </span><b id="pmoz0" style="color:red;"><span id="ioym193" style="font-family:verdana;">God</span></b><span id="ioym194" style="font-family:verdana;"> has joined together, let no man separate."<br /><br /></span></span></div><div id="ioym195"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym196" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="l6hz"></div><div id="l6hz1"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym198" style="font-family:verdana;">This is awesome. Jesus is quoting Genesis 1:27 and 2:24 here. If you look at the bolded words, you can see Jesus, giving credit to God, not only for the creation of man, but </span><b id="vbk2"><span id="ioym199" style="font-family:verdana;">saying</span></b><span id="ioym200" style="font-family:verdana;"> Genesis 2:24! Now that's a high view of Scripture!</span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="ioym201"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym202" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="d1720"></div><div id="d1722"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym204" style="font-family:verdana;">15. Matthew 21:</span><span id="en-NASB-23842"><span id="ioym205" style="font-family:verdana;">15 "</span></span><span id="ioym206" style="font-family:verdana;">But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He had done, and the children who were shouting in the temple, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they became indignant </span><span id="en-NASB-23843"><span id="ioym207" style="font-family:verdana;">16</span></span><span id="ioym208" style="font-family:verdana;">and said to Him, "Do You hear what these children are saying?" And Jesus said to them, "Yes; have you never read, 'OUT OF THE MOUTH OF INFANTS AND NURSING BABIES YOU </span><b id="q_02"><span id="q_020" style="color:red;"><span id="ioym209" style="font-family:verdana;">[God]</span></span></b><span id="ioym210" style="font-family:verdana;"> HAVE PREPARED PRAISE FOR YOURSELF</span><b id="to4f" style="color:red;"><span id="ioym211" style="font-family:verdana;">[God/Jesus]</span></b><span id="ioym212" style="font-family:verdana;">'?"<br /><br /></span></span></div><div id="ioym213"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym214" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="oo2j"></div><div id="q_021"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym216" style="font-family:verdana;">Its kind of slick of Jesus, but you see that Jesus is getting praise from the children and then He quotes a verse (Psalm 8:2) from the Bible saying that the God prepared children to give Himself/God praise and uses it of Himself!</span></span><br /></div><div id="ioym217"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym218" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="y3we"></div><div id="y3we1"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym220" style="font-family:verdana;">16. Matthew 21:42 (from Psalm 118:22):<br /><br /></span></span></div><div id="k4:i"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="k4:i0" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="at9d"></div><div id="at9d2"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="at9d3"><span id="ioym221" style="font-family:verdana;">"</span></span><span id="ioym222" style="font-family:verdana;">Jesus said to them, "</span><u id="at9d4"><b id="at9d5"><span id="ioym223" style="font-family:verdana;">Did you never read in the Scriptures</span></b></u><span id="ioym224" style="font-family:verdana;">, </span></span></div><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym225" style="font-family:verdana;"> 'THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED,</span> <span id="ioym227" style="font-family:verdana;"> THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone;</span> <span id="ioym229" style="font-family:verdana;"> THIS CAME ABOUT FROM THE LORD,</span> <span id="ioym231" style="font-family:verdana;"> AND IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES'?"</span></span><br /><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym231" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span> </span><br /><div id="at9d10"></div><div id="at9d12"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym236" style="font-family:verdana;">Love it. Jesus straight out asked, "Didn't you read this in the Bible?"</span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="ioym237"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym238" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="zfq:"></div><div id="zfq:1"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym240" style="font-family:verdana;">17. Matthew 22:15-46</span></span></div><div id="zfq:2"></div><div id="zfq:4"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym241" style="font-family:verdana;">This is an awesome section. It shows Jesus' masterful command of the Scripture. We are taught, and rightfully so, to love as Jesus did, but we should also strive to have his reverence of Scripture as well. It consists of 5 Bible questions (3 to Jesus; 2 from Jesus):</span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="ioym243"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym244" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="tl3d3"></div><div id="tl3d5"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym246" style="font-family:verdana;">i) v.</span><span id="en-NASB-23890"><span id="ioym247" style="font-family:verdana;">17</span></span><span id="ioym248" style="font-family:verdana;"> "Tell us then, what do You think? Is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?"<br /><br /></span></span></div><div id="kaz0"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym249" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym250" style="font-family:verdana;">Jesus replies using logic. Reasoning and apologetics does have its place. I really hate it when Christians say faith and reason are separate things. No way! Jesus was a master logician and something that is worthy to be emulated.</span></span><br /><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym250" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span><span id="ioym252" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span> </span><br /><div id="tl3d6"></div><div id="tl3d8"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym255" style="font-family:verdana;">ii) If a woman marries 7 brothers according to the Law (Deut 25:5), whose wife will she be in heaven? <span id="ioym256" style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span id="en-NASB-23902"><span id="ioym257" style="font-family:verdana;"><span id="ioym258">v. 29 </span></span></span><span id="ioym259" style="font-family:verdana;"><span id="ioym260">But Jesus answered and said to them, "You are mistaken, </span></span><b id="w7o91"><u id="w7o92"><span id="ioym261" style="font-family:verdana;"><span id="ioym262">not understanding the Scriptures</span></span></u></b><span id="ioym263" style="font-family:verdana;"><span id="ioym264"> nor the power of God"<br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div id="cb9l1"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym265" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="w7o95"></div><div id="w7o97"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym267" style="font-family:verdana;">Look here, part of the problem here was their misunderstanding of Scripture! And this is particularly telling, b/c it applies to our day and age. Why do Christians have the same divorce rate as non-Christians? B/c they do not understand the Scriptures when it comes to marriage.</span></span><br /><br /><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym267" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="ioym268"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym269" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="wcnf"></div><div id="wcnf1"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym271" style="font-family:verdana;">iii) </span><span id="en-NASB-23909"><span id="ioym272" style="font-family:verdana;">v. 36 </span></span><span id="ioym273" style="font-family:verdana;">"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?"</span></span></div><div id="pqjf0"></div><div id="pqjf2"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="en-NASB-23910"><span id="ioym275" style="font-family:verdana;">37</span></span><span id="ioym276" style="font-family:verdana;">And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.'</span></span></div><div id="pqjf3"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="en-NASB-23911"><span id="ioym278" style="font-family:verdana;">38</span></span><span id="ioym279" style="font-family:verdana;">"This is the great and foremost commandment.</span></span></div><div id="pqjf4"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="en-NASB-23912"><span id="ioym281" style="font-family:verdana;">39</span></span><span id="ioym282" style="font-family:verdana;">"The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'</span></span></div><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="en-NASB-23913"><span id="ioym283" style="font-family:verdana;">40</span></span><span id="ioym284" style="font-family:verdana;">"On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets</span><span id="ioym286" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span> <span id="ioym289" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><br /><br /><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym289" style="font-family:verdana;">Just look at the mastery of Scripture here by quoting Deut 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18. It's important to note that in the OT, it never explicitly says what the greatest command is. Just put yourselves in Jesus shoes, someone asks you an incredibly loaded question on which your reputation stakes, and you have to figure out from all the rules in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, which is ithe greatest command?! Can we even name 10 laws from any of those books (besides the 10 commandments), let alone the greatest? But Jesus, not only knows, but He also knows the second greatest and than on top of that adds a little commentary "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." </span></span><br /><br /><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym289" style="font-family:verdana;">If you have ever tried to witness to someone about Christianity, you know how difficult it is to answer people's objections, but Jesus because of His mastery of Scripture just bulldozes the competition.</span><span id="ioym291" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span> <span id="ioym294" style="font-family:verdana;">iv) </span><span id="en-NASB-23914"><span id="ioym295" style="font-family:verdana;">41</span></span><span id="ioym296" style="font-family:verdana;">.. Jesus asked them a question:</span></span><br /><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym296" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span> </span><br /><div id="oidb"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="en-NASB-23915"><span id="ioym299" style="font-family:verdana;">42</span></span><span id="ioym300" style="font-family:verdana;">"What do you think about the Christ, whose son is He?" They said to Him, "The son of David." </span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="ioym301"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym302" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="w:dd"></div><div id="a3gp0"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym304" style="font-family:verdana;">Pretty straightforward, but the next question is a little harder...</span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="ioym305"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym306" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="a3gp2"></div><div id="oidb0"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym308" style="font-family:verdana;">v) </span><span id="en-NASB-23916"><span id="ioym309" style="font-family:verdana;">43</span></span><span id="ioym310" style="font-family:verdana;">He [Jesus] said to them, "Then how does </span><u id="z_v9"><span id="ioym311" style="font-family:verdana;">David in the Spirit</span></u><span id="ioym312" style="font-family:verdana;"> call Him </span><b id="z_v90"><span id="ioym313" style="font-family:verdana;">'Lord,'</span></b><span id="ioym314" style="font-family:verdana;">saying, </span></span></div><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="en-NASB-23917"><span id="ioym316" style="font-family:verdana;">44</span></span><span id="ioym317" style="font-family:verdana;">'THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD,</span> <span id="ioym319" style="font-family:verdana;"> "SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND,</span> <span id="ioym321" style="font-family:verdana;"> UNTIL I PUT YOUR ENEMIES BENEATH YOUR FEET"'? </span> </span><br /><div id="oidb4"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="en-NASB-23918"><span id="ioym324" style="font-family:verdana;">45</span></span><span id="ioym325" style="font-family:verdana;">"If David then calls Him 'Lord,' how is He his son?"</span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="oidb5"></div><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym326" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span><span id="ioym329" style="font-family:verdana;">First thing, to notice is, just the incredible recall Jesus has and how He picks the perfect verses to stump his opponents. Usually, Christians only know a couple of key verses and if someone can get passed those, we go "ugh...ummm...hmm..."<br /><br /></span><span id="ioym334" style="font-family:verdana;">Second thing is that Christ attributes Psalm 110:1 here to David and the Holy Spirit! It is the Bible is the work of God through His designated people. </span> <span id="ioym339" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />The third point, is something Dr. S. Lewis Johnson pointed out in one of his lectures on systematic theology. See how I bolded the word "</span><b id="y-.x"><span id="ioym340" style="font-family:verdana;">Lord</span></b><span id="ioym341" style="font-family:verdana;">" in v.43? Jesus is creating a point from simply a word in the Bible. It isn't just theological minutia to exam the Bible carefully even down to its words! Jesus is wanting an explanation for a single word and our love and knowledge of Scripture should try to go just as far. </span> <span id="ioym346" style="font-family:verdana;">We will never have Jesus' mastery of Scripture, but neither will we ever have the depth of His love. We constantly strive to be like Him and have no problem saying we should love, forgive, and be humble like Jesus, yet do we want to try and have His understanding and mastery of the Word? I like the way Matthew puts it in the last verse of this chapter, "</span><span id="en-NASB-23919"><span id="ioym347" style="font-family:verdana;">46</span></span><span id="ioym348" style="font-family:verdana;">No one was able to answer Him a word, nor did anyone dare from that day on to ask Him another question."</span></span><br /><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym348" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span> </span><br /><div id="ry0y"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym353" style="font-family:verdana;">18. Jesus quite frequently alluded to the OT to finish His sentences, much like the way we would use famous book or movie quotes (cf. Matthew 5:35, 7:23, 11:29, 13:43, 23:39, 24:31).</span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="ioym354"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym355" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="ye5n"></div><div id="ye5n1"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym357" style="font-family:verdana;">19. Matthew 24-25, the great Olivet discourse where our Lord talks about the future. Here he quotes several OT verses and that their fulfillment will be at the end of the age: 24:15 (Daniel 9:27), 24:29 (Isaiah 13:10), and 24:30 (Daniel 7:13). He says something amazing in 24:35 "</span><span id="ioym358" style="font-family:verdana;">Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away." This is very similar to ch 5:</span>18<span id="ioym361" style="font-family:verdana;">"For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Jesus is stating is making His words equal to Scripture and God's words.</span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="e-20"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym362" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="e-202"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym363" style="font-family:verdana;">Other future verses Jesus looked to be fulfilled in the future: 26:64 (Psalm 110:1, Daniel 7:13)</span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="zdfq"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym364" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="zdfq2"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym365" style="font-family:verdana;">20. Matthew 26:</span>53<span id="en-NASB-24109" style="vertical-align: text-top;"><span id="ioym369" style="font-family:verdana;">"Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels</span><span id="ioym370" style="font-family:verdana;">? </span></span>54<span id="ctid" style="vertical-align: text-top;"><span id="ioym375" style="font-family:verdana;">"How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?"... </span></span>56<span id="ctid0" style="vertical-align: text-top;"><span id="ioym379" style="font-family:verdana;">"</span><span id="ioym380" style="font-family:verdana;">But all this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets." Then all the disciples left Him and fled.</span></span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="q3ps"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym381" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="q3ps2"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym382" style="font-family:verdana;">In regards to His death, Jesus says He could stop it, but one of the reasons that it must take place is to fulfill the Scripture. If the Truth in Scripture can be limited to one's interpretation or that we cannot understand it due to a culture or language gap, I do not think Christ would have made such bold statements.<br /><br />As we see from Matthew 5:18 and 24:35, Jesus knew the Scripture and His words would be timeless! Another thing to notice is that the current Jewish audience that Matthew is writing to is 400 - 2,000 years removed from the writings Jesus is quoting from, not to mention the fact that the OT was written in a different language (Hebrew) than the NT (Greek).<br /><br />From the way Christ is using Scripture one cannot conclude that a) Time b) Culture or c) Language hindered anyone's understanding or was an acceptable excuse not to understand the Bible.</span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="wcfu0"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym383" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="mvj0"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym384" style="font-family:verdana;">21. Matthew 27:46 "About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?" that is, "MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?"</span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="q3ps4"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym385" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="dl1-0"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym386" style="font-family:verdana;">Such a misunderstood verse. In His darkest hour Jesus quotes the Bible (Psalm 22:1) to give Himself comfort. As a side note, I highly recommend to anyone, to read Psalm 22 when you get to this section of the Gospel and you will see Christ's utter dependence on God in times of trouble, His faith that God will deliver Him, and that He praises God even in this suffering.</span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="ux4p"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym387" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="wcfu3"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym388" style="font-family:verdana;">In conclusion from Dr. Daniel Akin's "</span><a href="http://www.sbts.edu/pdf/sbjt/SBJT_2001Summer7.pdf" id="ik2t" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153);" title="What Did Jesus Believe About the Bible"><span id="ioym389" style="font-family:verdana;">What Did Jesus Believe About the Bible</span></a><span id="ioym390" style="font-family:verdana;">"</span></span></div><div id="ejnk2"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym391" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="ry0y0"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym392" style="font-family:verdana;"><br />When we survey our Lord’s teaching in the Gospels we discover that the judgments of these scholars is confirmed. Jesus consistently treated the historical narratives of the Old Testament as straightforward records of fact. He referred to Abel (Luke 11:51), Noah (Matt 24:37-39), Abraham (John 8:56), Sodom and Gomorrah (Matt 10:15, 11:23-24), Lot (Luke 17:28-32), Isaac and Jacob (Matt 8:11), the manna (John 6:31), the wilderness serpent (John 3:14), David (Matt 22:43), Solomon (Matt 6:29, 12:42), Elijah (Luke 4:25-26), Elisha (Luke 4:27), Jonah (Matt 12:39-41), and Moses (Matt 8:4), among others. Nowhere is there the slightest hint that he questioned the historicity or accuracy of the accounts...</span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="ioym393"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym394" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="fn0f2"></div><div id="fn0f4"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym396" style="font-family:verdana;">As I grew in the faith, I came to understand that to be a Christian meant to live under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and that His Lordship should permeate every area of our lives. His Lordship included what I should think about all matters of theology, including the Bible. I told him that as I had studied Jesus’ view of the Bible, I came to the conclusion that I could do nothing other than hold to its complete truthfulness and reliability. To be anything other than that would be to set aside the Lordship of Jesus Christ. That professor simply responded by saying, “I have never thought of it like that before, but it does make a lot of sense.”</span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="j1ha"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym397" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="j1ha1"></div><div id="j1ha2"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym398" style="font-family:verdana;">John 5:39—“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of me.”</span></span><br /></div><div id="ioym399"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym400" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="j1ha6"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym402" style="font-family:verdana;">Luke 24:25-27—“Then He said to them, ‘O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?’ And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.”</span></span><br /><br /></div><div id="qnih"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym403" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></div><div id="j1ha16"><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ><span id="ioym404" style="font-family:verdana;">Luke 24:44-45—“Then He said to them, ‘These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.’ And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.</span></span></div><span id="ny-_" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Trebuchet;" ></span><br /><div id="s1la1"></div>The Predestined Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01587261989476613134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197404598798041270.post-86949509589830412082008-06-30T12:59:00.006-05:002009-01-05T18:05:03.047-06:00Cessationism - My Take<div id="f-lf" style="margin: 0px;">I think that this issue will become more and more important in today's church. With that said, I must say, many of the most Godliest Christians I know are in fact Charismatic and that this is most definitely not a litmus test for orthodoxy, however, b/c of its growing influence and recent happenings in my life I feel that I must address this issue again.<br /><br /></div><div id="ce7j" style="margin: 0px;">What is really at stake here is glory and honor of God's name and for His people to give Him the worship He deserves. Jesus said we are to worship God in spirit and in truth, what better way to do that than to find out about the spirit and the truth about it.<br /><br /></div><div id="ce7j0" style="margin: 0px;">I wrote this post to establish what I believe and the biblical and theological basis of it. In my discussions with my charismatic brethren, I noticed that I was merely reacting to their arguments and not giving the positive case for cessationism. Here we go...<br /><br /></div><div id="f-lf1" style="margin: 0px;">I. What is a spiritual gift? (From <span id="p41j" style="white-space: pre;font-family:'Lucida Grande';" ><span id="p41j0" style="white-space: normal;font-family:Verdana;" ><a href="http://audio.gracechurch.org/sc/2006notes/Thats%20the%20Spirit,%20Busenitz.pdf" id="pwxu" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139);" title="Now that's the Spirit">Now that's the Spirit)</a><br /><br /> </span></span></div><div id="ce7j1" style="margin: 0px;">Samuel Dawson (of Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary), a cessationist, provides helpful</div><div id="ce7j2" style="margin: 0px;">definitions in this regard:<br /><br /></div><div id="ce7j3" style="margin: 0px;"><b id="dzwu"><u id="dzwu0">Miracle</u></b>—For our purposes, a miracle is a supernatural act, directly or indirectly, affected by God with or without the use of human agency, that results in supernatural phenomena.<br /><br /></div><div id="ce7j4" style="margin: 0px;"><b id="dzwu1"><u id="dzwu2">Miraculous gift</u></b>—For our purposes, a miraculous gift is a gift given by God to an</div><div id="ce7j5" style="margin: 0px;">intermediary human agent who uses the gift through God’s power so that miraculous phenomena are effected, which are not capable of being duplicated by human agency alone. Miraculous gifts may include among others: healings, prophecy, tongues, interpretation of tongues. Thus, miraculous gifts must have a human agent whom God gifts to carry out an act that results in supernatural phenomena.<br /><br /></div><div id="ce7j6" style="margin: 0px;">“I am not denying by all this that there are miracles in the world today in the broader sense of supernatural occurrences and extraordinary providences. I am only saying that there are no miracles in the stricter sense. There are no miracle-workers performing miraculous signs to attest the redemptive revelation they bring from God. Though God has never locked Himself out of His world and is still at liberty to do as He pleases, when He pleases, how He pleases, and where He pleases, He has made it clear that the progress of redemptive revelation attested by miraculous signs done by miracle-workers has been brought to conclusion in the revelation embodied in our New Testaments” (Waldron, To Be Continued?, 102).<br /><br /></div><div id="ce7j7" style="margin: 0px;"><span id="lbl2" style="font-family:verdana;"><span id="hw.n" style="color:red;"><b id="qi1q2"><span id="t9j2" style=";font-family:'Times New Roman';color:black;" ><span id="rc5f13" style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >The distinction here between God performing miracles and the continued existence of sign gifts has to do with the empowerment of the individual.</span> <span id="rc5f14" style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Those who argue that the sign gifts have ceased do not argue that miracles have ceased.</span> <span id="rc5f15" style="font-size:100%;"><span id="rc5f16" style="font-size:100%;"><span id="rc5f17" style="font-family:verdana;">But they do argue that God is no longer granting individuals special powers to perform such miracles at will</span></span>.</span> (<span id="rc5f18" style="font-family:verdana;">From</span> <span id="l160" style="font-family:Verdana;"><a href="http://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=1550" id="vm1i" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139);" title="Two Views on the &amp;amp;amp;quot;Sign Gifts&amp;amp;amp;quot;: Continuity Vs. Discontinuity">Two Views on the "Sign Gifts": Continuity Vs. Discontinuity)</a><br /><br /> </span></span></b></span></span></div><div id="ce7j8" style="margin: 0px;">So, if we pray for someone and they were to be cured of cancer, AIDS, limbs healed, even raised from the dead through our prayers - that is the power of prayer NOT someone with the gift of miracles or healing and is perfectly compatible with cessationist theology. Remember, cessationist believe in the power of prayer, just not that people have the spiritual gift of healing or miracles! I hope you can see the difference b/c it is SO OFTEN misunderstood.<br /><br />II. What are the spiritual gifts?<br /><br /></div><div id="ce7j9" style="margin: 0px;font-family:Verdana;">The listings come from<span id="v7ur0"> Romans 12:6-8, I Corinthians 12:8-10, I Corinthians 12:28-30, and Ephesians 4:11.<br /><br /></span></div><div id="qoeu" style="margin: 0px; font-family: Verdana;"></div><div id="qoeu1" style="margin: 0px;font-family:Verdana;"><span id="qoeu2">I have put the gifts in 2 columns, one column that is not in question b/c for the most part whether you are charismatic or a cessationist, we don't doubt the existence of the permanent gifts, only the miraculous or "sign gifts" (from now on when I say "the gifts have ceased" I am referring only to the "sign gifts").<br /><br /></span></div><div id="ce7j11" style="margin: 0px;"><span id="hw.n0" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande';"> </span></div><div id="ce7j12" style="margin: 0px;"></div><div id="f-lf2" style="margin: 0px;"><span id="hw.n3" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande';">Courtesy of <span id="m0_2" style="font-family:Verdana;"><a href="http://thisblogchoseyou.wordpress.com/category/cessationism/page/2/" id="fdzq" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139);" title="Thisblogchoseyou">Thisblogchoseyou</a> </span></span></div><div id="ce7j13" style="margin: 0px;"></div><table id="cnr02" style="border: 1px dotted gray; font-size: 1em; line-height: inherit;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody id="cnr03"><tr id="cnr04"><td id="cnr05" style="border: 1px dotted gray;" valign="top"><i id="cnr06">Permanent Gifts</i><br /><div id="cnr08" style="margin: 0px;">Ministry</div>Pastor-Teacher<br />Evangelism<br />Helps/Ministering <br />Administration<br />Exhortation<br />Giving<br />Mercy<br />Faith</td><td id="hxio" valign="top"><br /></td><td id="hxio1" valign="top"><br /></td><td id="hxio3" valign="top"><br /></td><td id="cnr018" style="border: 1px dotted gray;"><br /></td><td id="hxio5" valign="top"><br /></td><td id="hxio7" valign="top"><br /></td><td id="kurj" valign="top"><br /></td><td id="hxio9" valign="top"><br /></td><td id="kurj1" valign="top"><br /></td><td id="kurj3" valign="top"><br /></td><td id="kurj5" valign="top"><br /></td><td id="kurj7" valign="top"><br /></td><td id="kurj9" valign="top"><br /></td><td id="cnr019" style="border: 1px dotted gray;" valign="top"><i id="cnr020">Gifts in Question/"Sign Gifts"</i><br /><div id="cnr022" style="margin: 0px;">Apostles</div>Prophets<br />Miracles<br />Healing<br />Tongues<br />Interpretation<br />Discerning of Spirits<br />Wisdom<br />Knowledge</td></tr></tbody></table><div id="ce7j14" style="margin: 0px;"><span id="p1ai" style="font-size:xx-small;"><span id="nh4r0" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande';">(Okay, so there is some talk of whether or not Apostleship is a gift or an office and if wisdom and knowledge properly belongs in the sign gifts box, but that is beyond the scope of the current discussion.)<br /><br /></span></span></div><div id="ce7j15" style="margin: 0px;font-family:verdana;"><span id="ce7j16"><span id="b7qu"> Furthermore, Paul in 1 Corinthians 12 clearly gives us the purpose of these gifts as he states in v1 </span></span>"Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware." He goes on to say that there are variety of things, but that its purpose is for the <b>common good, not of the individual</b>:<br /><br />"4Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit <b>for the common good</b>."</div><div id="ce7j15" face="verdana" style="margin: 0px;"> </div><div id="ce7j15" face="verdana" style="margin: 0px;">Paul goes onto say not everyone has the same spiritual gift:</div><div id="ce7j15" style="margin: 0px; font-family: verdana;"><br /></div>"29All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? 30All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? "<br /><div id="ce7j15" style="margin: 0px; font-family: verdana;"> </div><div id="ce7j15" style="margin: 0px; font-family: verdana;">I mention this under my "definition" section, b/c the use of such gifts should reflect their purpose, if not only to see if they are genuine. And what do we see? More often than not tongues are used to edify oneself and everyone has the gift of tongues or everyone has the gift of prophesy.</div><div id="ce7j15" style="margin: 0px; font-family: verdana;"><br /></div><div id="ce7j15" style="margin: 0px; font-family: verdana;">There are also certain properties and purposes given to some of the gifts:</div><div id="ce7j15" style="margin: 0px; font-family: verdana;"><br /></div>1 Corinthians 14:22 "So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe...27If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret; 28but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God. 29Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment. 30But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent. <span class="sup" id="en-NASB-28710">31</span>For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted"<br /><br />Acts 2:6 "And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language."<br /><br />So we know that there should <b>at least SOMETIMES</b> we see tongues and prophesy done one by one, tongues followed by interpretation, and tongues in another language, yet we seldom <b>IF EVER</b> see this.<br /><div id="ce7j15" style="margin: 0px; font-family: verdana;"><br /><span id="ce7j16"><span id="b7qu">III. More Definitions<br /><br /></span></span></div><div id="f-lf5" style="margin: 0px;">These are courtesy of <a href="http://phillipjohnson.blogspot.com/2006/01/youre-probably-cessationist-too.html" id="t3m." title="http://phillipjohnson.blogspot.com/2006/01/youre-probably-cessationist-too.html">Pyromaniacs:</a><br /><br /></div><div id="f-lf6" style="margin: 0px; font-family: verdana;">Both sides generally agree to these definitions:<br /><br /></div><div id="f-lf8" style="margin: 0px; font-family: verdana;">If you believe any of the miraculous spiritual gifts were operative in the apostolic era <i id="f-lf9">only,</i> and that some or all of those gifts gradually ceased before the end of the first century, you are a <i id="f-lf10"><b id="f-lf11">cessationist.<br /><br /></b></i></div><div id="rc5f32" style="font-family: verdana;">If you believe all the spiritual gifts described in the New Testament have continued unabated, unchanged, and unaltered since the initial outpouring of tongues at Pentecost, you are a <i id="f-lf14"><b id="f-lf15">continuationist.<br /><br /></b></i></div><div id="f-lf18" style="margin: 0px;">IV. Last of the definitions!<br /><br /></div><div id="p5bj" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Types of Cessationists: Courtesy of <a href="http://tdwotd.blogspot.com/2007/06/cessationism.html" id="vs2_" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139);" title="Theological Dictionary">Theological Dictionary</a><br /><br /></div><div id="p5bj2" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;font-family:verdana;color:black;"><span id="g4-r0" style="font-size:100%;"><span id="dzwu4">1. <u id="p1ai15">Concentric Cessationists </u>believe that the miraculous gifts have indeed ceased in the mainstream church and evangelized areas, but appear in unreached areas as an aid to spreading the Gospel (Luther and Calvin, though they were somewhat inconsistent in this position. Daniel B. Wallace is now the most prominent scholar to hold this view).<br /><br /></span></span></div><div id="ce7j17" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;font-family:verdana;color:black;"><span id="ce7j18" style="font-size:100%;"><span id="dzwu5">2. <u id="p1ai18">Classical (or "Weak") cessationists</u> assert that the miraculous gifts such as prophecy, healing and speaking in tongues ceased with the apostles and only served as launching pads for the spreading of the Gospel. However, these cessationists do believe that God still occasionally does miracle-like activities today, such as healings or divine guidance, so long as these "miracles" do not accredit new doctrine or add to the New Testament canon (Warfield, Gaffin). John MacArthur is perhaps the best-known classical cessationist.<br /><br /></span></span></div><div id="ce7j19" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;font-family:verdana;color:black;"><span id="ce7j20" style="font-size:100%;"><span id="dzwu6">3. <u id="p1ai21">Full Cessationists</u> argue that along with no miraculous gifts, there are also no miracles performed by God today. This argument, of course, turns on one's understanding of the term, "miracle."<br /><br /></span></span></div><div id="ce7j21" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;font-family:verdana;color:black;"><span id="ce7j22" style="font-size:100%;"><span id="dzwu7">4. <u id="p1ai24">Consistent Cessationists</u> believe that not only were the miraculous gifts only for the establishment of the first-century church, but the so-called five-fold ministry found in Eph 4 was also a transitional institution (i.e., There are no more apostles, prophets, but also no more pastors, teachers, or evangelists).<br /><br /></span></span></div><div id="p5bj4" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Types of Charismatics: From <a href="http://www.tms.edu/tmsj/tmsj14f.pdf" id="h2e00" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(85, 26, 139);" title="Spiritual Gifts: Definitions and Kinds"><i id="qi1q3"><u id="qi1q4"><span id="dzwu8" style="font-size:100%;">Spiritual Gifts: Definitions and Kinds</span></u></i></a><br /><br /></div><div id="ce7j23" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div face="verdana" id="ce7j24" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">1. <u id="p1ai29">Classic Pentecostalism</u> – The historic beginning of the modern tongues movement is traced to Bethel Bible School of Topeka, Kansas, founded in 1900 by Charles Parham (1873-1929). Parham encouraged his students to examine the apostolic age for a witness of the baptism of the Holy Spirit available today as an event subsequent to salvation. One of his students, Miss Agnes Ozman, requested that hands be laid on her to receive the Holy Spirit, and according to Parham, she responded by speaking only in the Chinese language, unable tospeak her native English for the next three days. Parham considered this the restoration of the Pentecostal power of the Book of Acts. Nichol points out that the significance of the Topeka event was that “for the first time the concept of being baptized (or filled) with the Holy Spirit was linked to an outward sign—speaking in tongues.” Parham began an evangelistic effort in various cities which he identified as “Pentecostal” or the “Full Gospel,” reaching as high as 25,000 Pentecostal converts in Texas alone by 1905.14 William Seymour (1870-1922) came in contact with Parham’s preaching in Houston and then was called to Los Angeles, where he lead the renowned Azusa Street Revival (1906-1909). Based at the Azusa Street M ission (312 Azusa Street), Seymour spoke intongues for the first time on April 9, 1906. Seymour’s activities associated with the Azusa Street Revival launched American Pentecostalism, and Azusa Street became a “veritable Pentecostal Mecca to which pilgrims from all over the world came and from which the news of supernatural signs and wonders was broad.<br /><br /></div><div id="ce7j25" style="font-family: verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">2.<u id="p1ai32"> The Charismatic Movement/Neo-Pentecostalism</u> - Began in the mid-1950s largely through the efforts of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International of Los Angeles, and the efforts of Assemblies of God minister David J. du Plessis (1905-1987), who promoted the Pentecostal experience to the non-Pentecostal denominations. On August 3, 1960, Episcopal priest Dennis Bennett (1917- ) of St Marks Church in Van Nuys, California, announced in his pulpit that he had been baptized of the Holy Spirit and then went on to speak in tongues. Bennett came under immediate criticism and resigned after the third of three services the same day. The matter, however, was so widely publicized that this event is often viewed as the founding the Charismatic Movement, as it spread to every major denomination and cut across all theological boundaries. Dunn observed that this new Pentecostalism “has now become a movement of world-wide importance, reckoned as a third force in Christendom (alongside Catholicism and Protestantism) by not a few leading churchmen.” In the movement, there was less concern for the nature of the new birth and great stress was placed on Spirit baptism and tongues. In the quest for expanded research and doctrinal respectability, the Society for Pentecostal Studies was formed in 1970. Important aspects include, Trinity Broadcasting Network, begun by Paul Crouch in 1973, The International Catholic Charismatic Conference in Rome, 1975, and the rise after 1980 of prominent televangelists, including Oral Roberts and son Richard, Kenneth Hagin, Pat Robertson, Rex Humbard, Jimmy Swaggart, Kenneth Copeland, Jim Bakker, and Benny Hinn.<br /><br /></div><div id="ce7j26" style="font-family: verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">3. <u id="p1ai35">Third Wave Theology</u> - This is also known as the “Signs and Wonders” or the “Third Wave” Movement, the first wave being Pentecostalism and the second the Charismatic Renewal. This group consists of largely mainline evangelicals who did not want to be identified with the first two groups and yet believed in miraculous gifts, tongues, and healings for today. They teach that the new birth and Spirit baptism occur at the same time and give great place to the miraculous gifts, viewing them as the long-buried truth that has once again come to light, generating widespread excitement. The movement was started by C. Peter Wagner of the Fuller Theological Seminary missions department. Also part of the Third Wave are John Wimber of the Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Anaheim, California and founder of the Association of Vineyard Churches, and former Dallas Seminary professor, Jack Deere. Leaders of the movement are concerned with healing and the Christian response to demonic activity.<br /><br /></div><div id="ce7j27" style="font-family: verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">4. <u id="azjm1">"Open but Cautious” Position</u> — An expression coined by Wayne Grudem,—of noted evangelical teachers, including Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Robert Saucy, John Piper, and Wayne Grudem himself, along with Chuck Smith and his Calvary Chapel movement. Charismatics are often openly critical of “third wavers.” They are unconvinced by the cessationist arguments, but are also cautious about the emphasis given to spiritual gifts by noncessationists.<br /><br />(<span id="z0ez" style="white-space: pre;">Last sentence from <a href="http://www.tms.edu/tmsj/tmsj14k.pdf" id="rc5f33">"The Hermeneutics of Noncessationism"</a>)<br /><br /></span></div><div id="p5bj6" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">V. The Cessationist Position<br /><br /></div><div id="ce7j28" style="font-family: verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I believe Dr. Daniel Wallace puts it best <a href="http://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=1550" id="csj3" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139);" title="here">here</a>:<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoBodyText" id="zk7k0" style="margin: 0px; font-family: verdana;">There are others who argue that, with reference to these gifts, there is greater discontinuity than continuity. (They are called cessationists or non-charismatics.) Part and parcel of this argument is the nature and purpose of these gifts. This view claims that these gifts were essentially poured out on select individuals for the purpose of authenticating that God was doing something new. Surely the coming of Christ and the doing away with the Law and the inclusion of uncircumcised Gentiles into the spiritual community was radical stuff. When Jesus cleansed the temple and when he taught, his religious opponents wanted a sign. They knew that he was challenging the status quo. He had better back up his message with some miracles. So he gave them one big miracle: his own resurrection. End of discussion. Something new was afoot in Israel. God authenticated his message by raising him from the dead. Jesus invested supernatural authority in his own apostles (Matt 28:16-20) to bring this good news to the world. These apostles and certain others in the early church had a measure of some of these gifts. Whether they represent all Christians of all time or whether theirs was a special time and a special gift is the question.<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoBodyText" id="zk7k16" style="margin: 0px; font-family: verdana;">I belong to the latter group. That is, I believe in a sufficient amount of discontinuity to warrant speaking of the sign gifts as having ceased. I will argue, in fact, that every true Christian <i id="zk7k19">has</i> to belong to this latter category to some degree. I will offer two theses below, followed by several specific arguments backing them up.<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoBodyText" id="zk7k22" style="margin: 0px; font-family: verdana;"><b id="zk7k23"><i id="zk7k24">Thesis One: To the extent that we see discontinuity between the first century and the twentieth in terms of the sign gifts, to that extent we are cessationists.<br /><br /></i></b></div><div class="MsoBodyText" face="verdana" id="ce7j29" style="margin: 0px;"></div><div class="MsoBodyText" id="zk7k27" style="margin: 0px; font-family: verdana;"><b id="zk7k28"><i id="zk7k29">Thesis Two: The m</i></b><b id="ce7j30"><i id="ce7j31">ore we see discontinuity, the more we affirm that the purpose of the sign gifts was authentication rather than a display of normative Christianity.<br /><br /></i></b></div><div class="MsoBodyText" id="zk7k31" style="margin: 0px; font-family: verdana;">All Christians hold to some measure of discontinuity, just as all Christians hold to some measure of continuity. But that there is any discontinuity at all is most significant: it indicates the Spirit of God is not working in exactly the same way today as he was in the first century. If so, then we must immediately ask: How normative is the book of Acts? Indeed, how normative are the sign gifts?<br /></div>Furthermore from <a href="http://phillipjohnson.blogspot.com/2006/01/youre-probably-cessationist-too.html" id="poaq" title="Phil Johnson">Phil Johnson</a>:<br /><br /><div class="post-body" id="rc5f34"><br /><dd class="comment-body" id="f-lf22"><div id="f-lf23" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Dan's right; every major point brought up in the flood of charismatic comments lately added to this thread <a href="http://teampyro.blogspot.com/search/label/da%20Gifts" id="f-lf24" rel="nofollow">has been answered</a> <a href="http://teampyro.blogspot.com/search/label/leaky%20Canon" id="f-lf25" rel="nofollow">before.</a></div></dd><dt><br /></dt><dd class="comment-body" id="f-lf22">I've repeatedly <a href="http://phillipjohnson.blogspot.com/2006/01/youre-probably-cessationist-too.html" id="f-lf28" rel="nofollow">explained</a> why it's facile, self-contradictory, and inadequate for charismatics on the one hand to acknowledge that the gifts supposedly operating today are not apostolic-quality manifestations (a point conceded by everyone but the rank charlatans in the charismatic movement), while on the other hand rejecting every argument for cessationism other than air-tight proof-texts. Because there is no airtight proof-text saying that the apostolic-quality gifts would cease and be replaced by lesser gifts, either.As I've suggested many times before, that belief makes charismatics de facto cessationists (albeit cessationists of a different kind) anyway. So they have already conceded the cessationist argument in principle, and when it comes to exegetical support for their position, they face the very same hurdle they claim is insurmountable for full-fledged cessationists. In other words, the position refutes itself.It's also irrational and inconsistent for charismatics to insist on exclusively exegetical proofs for cessationism, while they are insisting that cessationists must exegete the charismatics' anecdotal accounts of private, subjective experiences.</dd><dd class="comment-body" id="ce7j32"><br /></dd><dd class="comment-body" id="ce7j33"><b id="f-lf35">Note:</b> the miracles, dreams, and visions recorded in Scripture are comparatively rare and never trivial. They always signalled something important that God was doing. If charismatics were producing miracles of that sort, we wouldn't be having this debate.As it is, the anecdotal, trifling, hit-and-miss (mostly miss) phenomena charismatics are pointing to and demanding explanations for strike me as the exact parallel of a file drawer full of material I used to keep when I was acquisitions editor at Moody Press. The drawer held a sheaf of manuscripts sent to me by people who insisted these were verbally-inspired messages they got directly from God—i.e., new Scripture.But I'm a cessationist for exactly the same reason I believe the canon is closed. It's not because I can cite chapter and verse saying how and when the NT would be complete, but because for roughly two thousand years there simply have not been any credible claimants who could do the things Jesus and the apostles did.<br /><div id="ce7j34" style="margin: 0px;">_________</div></dd><dd class="comment-body" id="ce7j35"><br /></dd></div><div id="ce7j36" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Main points:<br /><br />The sign gifts were for given by God for the founding of the church (cf. Ephesians 2:20) and was used to confirm the Apostolic movement (cf. Hebrews 2:3-4). With the full revelation of God in the Bible (cf. Jude 3) and the closing of the canon (cf. Revelation 22:18-19), the gifts in their confirmatory and foundational capacity ceased (c.f 1 Corinthians 13;8). [For fuller treatment of these verses see below]<br /><br /></div><div id="ce7j37" style="margin: 0px;">This way in cessationism, no one can add to the Bible, b/c the God no longer gives verbal, auditory, or visual revelations b/c those things ended with the Apostles and prophets in the first century and we no longer need those revelations b/c we have God's full revelation to us in the completed canon of the Bible that promises us "that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for <b id="rc5f35">every good work</b>." (2 Timothy 3:17). We have everything we need to have a relationship with God and do His work simply with the Bible, prayer, and the church and do not need miraculous gifts.<br /><br /></div><div id="f8gz" style="margin: 0px;"></div>Cessationism is also consistent b/c we are able to account for the lack of gifts (remember we believe in miracles) throughout church history at least from the 200 - 1900 A.D. Charismatics <b id="rc5f36">must account</b> for the nonexistence of gifts for 1700 years and than their sudden appearance<b id="rc5f37"> BIBILICALLY, not experientially</b>. They also must <b id="rc5f38">biblically account</b> for the fact the quality, character, and power of the gifts are so much different than before. Finally, they must <b id="rc5f39">show biblically</b> that God will only stop the apostleship and adding on to the Bible (almost every one in Evangelical Christianity agrees that the apostleship and the adding on to the Bible has stopped and only fringe groups believe otherwise). As mentioned above, if you did have such miraculous gifts, would their really be any doubt amongst fellow Christians...? Also, let's not forget that the gifts were given for the purpose of building each other up, but we usually see people edifying themselvs. There are supposed to be a variety of gifts allocated to everyone, but we usually see everyone speaking tongues and/or prophesying and NEVER see the other gifts of interpretations, people with the gift of miracles, knowledge, wisdom, or apostles. There are specific things that gifts are for that we never see (i.e. tongues being interpreted or in another language). Finally, please realize we never see these things being done at the same level as we see in the Bible or in the public places.<br /><br />I encourage charismatics to look deeply into the Bible and to see if your view is really just from your experience and not the Bible. Our experiences should be subjected under the authority of the Bible, and not vice versa, besides the church's overwhelming experience as well as a cessationist's experience would point to cessationism. In my personal experience, I have met many people who have had incredible events happen to them or seen incredible things only on the mission field, this is compatible with cessationism! Remember the crux of the question is if certain people are gifted within the church in general and in settings for everyday worship and life. So technically, if you believe you have spoken in tongues just once or had just one prophecy (though I would contest that) and believe these things are rare instances, you are really closer to cessationist than charismatic theology b/c you do not think certain people are given those gifts on a more permanent basis! Cessationist say that people do not have those gifts in an on going fashion, but that miraculous experiences do happen.<br /><div class="post-body" id="ce7j38"><br /><dl id="comments-block"><dt id="f-lf40">VI. Verses that support cessationism:</dt></dl><div id="v201" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">1. <b id="rc5f40">Ephesians 2:20</b> - <span id="aofp" style="font-family:'Charis SIL';"><span id="dzwu9">having been built on the </span><b id="dzwu10"><u id="dzwu11">foundation of the apostles and prophets</u></b><span id="dzwu12">, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone<br /><br /></span></span></div><div id="ce7j39" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div id="ce7j40" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;font-family:verdana;"><span id="q5c4">a. Eph. 2:20—Paul makes it clear that the apostles and the prophets (contextually and </span><span id="q5c40">grammatically he can only be speaking of New Testament prophets here, contra </span><span id="q5c41">Grudem, cf. O’Brien and others) were for the foundation of the church. Now that the </span><span id="q5c42">foundation stage has been laid, neither of the two groups is needed. </span><span id="q5c43">Ephesians 2:20 could not be more clear. The verse contains no difficult words, </span><span id="q5c44">nor any difficult or unusual grammatical constructions. The grammatical </span><span id="q5c45">construction of one article preceding two nouns joined by “and” is a familiar and </span><span id="q5c46">well-known construction. Any alleged complexities in interpreting this verse arise </span><span id="q5c47">not from the verse itself but from the presuppositions of the interpreter (Edgar, </span><span id="q5c48">Satisfied by the Promise of the Spirit, 78–79). (From <span id="jca7"><a href="http://audio.gracechurch.org/sc/2006notes/Thats%20the%20Spirit,%20Busenitz.pdf" id="ce7j41" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139);" title="Now that's the Spirit">Now that's the Spirit)</a><br /><br /><span id="jylr1" style="font-size:x-small;"> </span></span></span></div><div id="ce7j42" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div id="ce7j43" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span id="lmcz1" style="font-size:x-small;"><span id="uq9s1" style="font-family:Verdana;"><span id="uq9s2" style="font-family:verdana;"><span id="rc5f41"><span id="n10c"><span id="qpru">b. Ephesians 2:20 clearly refers to the universal church, not to some local church or mission field. Paul's predominant usage of ejkklhsiva elsewhere in Ephesians demonstrates this. In 3:5 he wrote that the apostles and prophets were closely related to the foundational revelation that Gentiles as well as Jews would be united in the one universal body of Christ (cf. v. 10). He also used this universal sense in 3:21. In 5:23-27 the illustration of the husband and wife shows Christ's relationship to the universal church. This universal church is described as "His body" (v. 30) and also as a mystery (v. 32), referring back to 3:5. Paul's words therefore cannot be properly applied to local or national churches throughout this age, inasmuch as Paul's representation of the church throughout this passage and elsewhere describes the church in the most universal and pervasive of terms (e.g., "God's people" and "God's household" in 2:19). Therefore Paul was referring to the foundation of the universal church in Ephesians 2:20. This foundation, by implication and by its very nature, can be laid only once since foundations are necessarily laid only once at the beginning of any structure. (From</span></span></span></span></span></span> <span id="ce7j44" style="font-family:Verdana;"><span id="ce7j45" style="font-family:verdana;"><span id="dok9" style="font-family:'Charis SIL';"><span id="lmcz3" style="font-size:x-small;"><a href="http://www.efg-hohenstaufenstr.de/downloads/bibel/prophecy04.html" id="ognc" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139);" title="When Will the Gift of Prophesy Cease?"><span id="dok90">When Will the Gift of Prophesy Cease?</span>)</a><br /><br /></span> </span></span></span></div><div id="jca70" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div id="ce7j46" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;font-family:verdana;"><span id="qtz4"><span id="qtz40">c. Ephesians 2:20 has been the “thorn in the flesh” for all noncessationists. </span></span><span id="qtz41"><span id="qtz42">No one has successfully countered the verse’s supp ort for cessationism. Since the </span></span><span id="qtz43"><span id="qtz44">gift of prophecy is paired with the gift of apostleship as the foundation for the “holy </span></span><span id="qtz45"><span id="qtz46">temple”—the church—and since apostleship is a temporary gift, prophecy is </span></span><span id="qtz47"><span id="qtz48">obviously a temporary revelatory gift just like apostleship. Noncessationist Jon </span></span><span id="qtz49"><span id="qtz410">Ruthven acknowledges that “Pentecostal or charismatic scholars generally have </span></span><span id="qtz412">failed to treat this cessationist argum ent [i.e., the support for cessationism from Eph </span><span id="qtz414">2:20] to any significant or adequate degree.” He agrees with cessationists that </span><span id="qtz416">Grudem’s explanation is unconvincing, and offers his own rebuttal to the verse’s </span><span id="qtz418">proof of cessationism. He rejects the idea that apostles and prophets were </span><span id="qtz420">repositories for Scriptural revelation and contends that apostleship along with </span><span id="qtz422">prophecy continues functioning until the second coming of Christ. Ruthven’s case </span><span id="qtz424">falters, however, in light of the clearly delineated NT teaching about apostolic </span><span id="qtz426">authority in the NT and early church and how that authority played a part in </span><span id="qtz428">delivering and preserving the body of truth that is contained in the NT books.</span></div><div id="ce7j47" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span id="lrqr" style="font-family:Verdana;">(From <span id="vxf2" style="white-space: pre;font-family:'Lucida Grande';" ><span id="vxf20" style="white-space: normal;font-family:'Charis SIL';" ><a href="http://www.tms.edu/tmsj/tmsj14k.pdf" id="cwos" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139);" title="The Hermeneutics of Noncessationism">The Hermeneutics of Noncessationism)</a><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div id="chgi1" style="margin: 0px;">2. <b id="rc5f42">Hebrews 2:3-4 - </b>how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us <span id="jt9h"><b id="ce7j48">by those who heard</b></span>, God also testifying <span id="jt9h0"><b id="ce7j49">with them</b></span>, both <span id="jt9h1"><b id="ce7j50">by</b></span> signs and wonders and by various miracles and <span id="jt9h2"><b id="ce7j51">by</b></span> gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.<br /><br /></div><div id="ce7j52" style="margin: 0px;font-family:verdana;color:black;"><div id="hxio11"><span id="qg8:" style="line-height: 19px;">a. The argument that this text refers to the cessation of certain gifts is based on an inference in the text, viz., that since the first generation of Christians were explicitly eyewitnesses to certain sign gifts, the second generation of Christians was not...All in all, <a class="scripturized" href="http://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=1487#" id="zp-5"><u id="ce7j53">Hebrews 2:3-4</u></a> seems to involve some solid inferences that the sign gifts had for the most part ceased. Further, it offers equally inferential evidence of the purpose of the sign gifts: to confirm that God was doing something new. The whole argument of Hebrews rests on this assumption: there is a new and final revelation in Jesus Christ (cf. 1:1-2). He is the one to whom the whole OT points; he is the one who is superior to the Aaronic priesthood, to prophets, and to angels. He is indeed God in the flesh. Is it not remarkable that in this exquisitely argued epistle, the argument turns on Scripture over against experience? The strongest appeal the author makes to the audience’s experience is to what they were witnesses to in the past. If the sign gifts continued, shouldn’t we expect this author (like Paul in <a class="scripturized" href="http://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=1487#" id="zp-51"><u id="ce7j54">Gal 3:5</u></a>) to have employed such an argument? (From <span id="c40t" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=1487" id="naqc" title="Hebrews 2:3-4 and the Sign Gifts">Hebrews 2:3-4 and the Sign Gifts)</a><br /><br /></span></span></div><div id="hxio12"></div><span id="hxio15" style="line-height: 19px;"><span id="hxio16" style="line-height: normal;"> </span></span></div><div id="ce7j55" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">3.<b id="rc5f43"> Jude 3</b> - Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was <span id="nsgs"><b id="ce7j56">once for all handed down</b></span> to the saints.<br /><br /></div><div id="ce7j57" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div id="ce7j58" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">a. Jude 3 is a crucial passage on the completeness of our Bibles. This statement, penned by Jude before the NT was complete, nevertheless looked forward to the completion of the entire canon... In the Greek text the definite article preceding “faith” points to the one and only faith. There is no other. Such passages as Gal 1:23 (“He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith”) and 1 Tim 4:1 (“In latter times some will fall away from the faith”) indicate this objective <span id="jbaa">use of the expression “the faith” was common in apostolic times. Greek scholar Henry Alford wrote that the faith is “objective here: the sum </span><span id="jbaa1">of that which Christians believe.” Note also the crucial phrase “once for all” in Jude 3 (KJV). The Greek </span><span id="jbaa3">word here is hapax, which refers to something done for all time, with lasting results, </span><span id="jbaa4">never needing repetition. Nothing needs to be added to the faith that has been </span><span id="jbaa5">delivered “once for all.” George Lawlor, who has written an excellent work on Jude, made the </span><span id="jbaa7">following comment:<br /><br /></span></div><div id="ce7j59" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div id="ce7j60" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span id="jbaa8">The Christian faith is unchangeable, which is not to say that men and women of every </span><span id="jbaa9">generation do not need to find it, experience it, and live it; but it does mean that every </span><span id="jbaa10">new doctrine that arises, even though its legitimacy may be plausibly asserted, is a false </span><span id="jbaa11">doctrine. All claims to convey some additional revelation to that which has been given </span><span id="jbaa12">by God in this body of truth are false claims and must be rejected.</span><br /><br /></div><div id="ce7j61" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div id="ce7j62" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span id="jbaa13">Also important in Jude 3 is the word “delivered.” In the Greek it is an </span><span id="jbaa14">aorist passive participle, which in this context indicates an act completed in the past </span><span id="jbaa15">with no continuing element. In this instance the passive voice means the faith was </span><span id="jbaa16">not discovered by men, but given to men by God. </span><span id="jbaa17">And so through the Scriptures God has given us a body of teaching that is </span><span id="jbaa18">final and complete. Our Christian faith rests on historical, objective revelation. That </span><span id="jbaa19">rules out all prophecies, seers, and other forms of new revelation until God speaks </span><span id="jbaa20">again at the return of Christ (cf. Acts 2:16-21; Rev 1:1-13). </span><span id="jbaa21">In the meantime, Scripture warns us to be wary of false prophets. Jesus said </span><span id="jbaa22">that in our age “false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs </span><span id="jbaa23">and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect” (Matt 24:24). Signs and </span><span id="jbaa24">wonders are no proof that a person speaks for God. John wrote, “Beloved, do not </span><span id="jbaa25">believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because </span><span id="jbaa26">many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).<br /><br /></span></div><div id="ce7j63" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div id="ce7j64" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span id="jbaa27">Ultimately, Scripture is the test of everything; it is the Christian’s standard. </span><span id="jbaa28">In fact, the word canon means “a rule, standard, or measuring rod.” The canon of </span><span id="jbaa29">Scripture is the measuring rod of the Christian faith, and it is complete. </span></div><div id="ce7j65" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span id="ft:l">(From <span id="dt42"><a href="http://www.tms.edu/tmsj/tmsj14h.pdf" id="xbky" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139);" title="Does God Still Give Revelation?">Does God Still Give Revelation?)</a><br /><br /></span></span></div><div id="ce7j66" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">4. <b id="rc5f44">Revelation 22<span id="xw11"><b id="ce7j67">:</b></span>18-19</b><b id="ce7j68"> - </b>I testify to everyone who hears the words of the <span id="h4yt"><b id="qpru0">prophecy of this book</b></span>: if anyone <b id="ce7j69">adds to them</b>, <b id="ce7j70">God will add to him the plagues</b> which are written in this book; and<span id="h4yt0"><b id="qpru1"> if anyone takes away</b></span> from the words of the <span id="h4yt1"><b id="qpru2">book of this prophecy</b></span>, <span id="c5ue"><b id="qpru3">God will take away his par</b></span>t from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.<br /><br /></div><div id="ce7j71" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div id="ce7j72" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;font-family:Verdana;"><span id="ywz3">From James Lee - Candidate for MDiv at the Master's Seminary:<br /><br /></span></div><div id="ce7j73" style="font-family: Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" id="myhz" style="margin: 0px; text-indent: 0in;font-family:Verdana;"><div id="aji9"><span id="t9iw"><span id="t9iw0">An understanding of the historical background of John’s apocalyptic writing will disclose the motivation for the warning of verse 22:18.</span></span> <span id="t9iw3"><span id="t9iw4">In the late A.D. 90’s, false teaching and prophecies ran amuck within the church (cf. Rev. 2:2.)</span></span> <span id="t9iw7"><span id="t9iw8">The </span></span><span id="t9iw9"><span id="t9iw10">church</span></span><span id="t9iw11"><span id="t9iw12"> of </span></span><span id="t9iw13"><span id="t9iw14">Thyatira</span></span><span id="t9iw15"><span id="t9iw16"> had tolerated the teachings of the false prophetess Jezebel (Rev. 2:20,) and some in the </span></span><span id="t9iw17"><span id="t9iw18">church</span></span><span id="t9iw19"><span id="t9iw20"> of </span></span><span id="t9iw21"><span id="t9iw22">Pergamum</span></span><span id="t9iw23"><span id="t9iw24"> adopted the teaching of the Nicolaitans (Rev. 2:15) and of Balaam (Rev. 2:14).</span></span> <span id="t9iw27"><span id="t9iw28">Also, “John’s commendation of others in Thyatira who had not known “the deep things” (</span></span><span id="myhz8" lang="EL"><span id="t9iw29"><span id="t9iw30">τὰ</span></span></span> <span id="myhz10" lang="EL"><span id="t9iw33"><span id="t9iw34">βαθέα</span></span></span><span id="t9iw35"><span id="t9iw36">) of Satan (2:24) may indicate prophetic activity whose source was satanic.”</span></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=2197404598798041270&postID=8694950958983041208" id="myhz11" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span id="myhz12"><span id="myhz13"><span id="myhz14"><span id="myhz15" style="line-height: 200%;"><span id="t9iw37"><span id="t9iw38">[1]</span></span></span></span></span></span></a> <span id="t9iw41"><span id="t9iw42">The epistles of John, which were written not too long before the book of Revelation, also reveal the threat of false teaching and prophecy.</span></span> <span id="t9iw45"><span id="t9iw46">In 1 John 4:1-6, the Apostle commands the readers to test the spirits.</span></span> <span id="t9iw49"><span id="t9iw50">John is most likely referring to the secessionist deceivers who were deceiving the church.</span></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=2197404598798041270&postID=8694950958983041208" id="myhz19" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span id="myhz20"><span id="myhz21"><span id="myhz22"><span id="myhz23" style="line-height: 200%;"><span id="t9iw51"><span id="t9iw52">[2]</span></span></span></span></span></span></a> <span id="t9iw55"><span id="t9iw56">Because of all the threats of false prophecy, John knew it was necessary to pen the warnings of Revelation 22:18-19.</span></span> <span id="t9iw59"><span id="t9iw60">He was not just concerned with the addition and subtraction to the specific book of Revelation, but false teaching in general.</span></span> <span id="t9iw63"><span id="t9iw64">Since false prophets claimed divine authority, they challenged God’s true messenger, Apostle John, in disclosing divine truths.</span></span> <span id="t9iw67"><span id="t9iw68">Therefore, the warning in Revelation may be seen as a way of ending any confusion over prophetic authority – it anticipated the completion of revelation after the closure of the book. </span></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=2197404598798041270&postID=8694950958983041208" id="myhz28" name="_ftnref3" title=""><span id="myhz29"><span id="myhz30"><span id="myhz31"><span id="myhz32" style="line-height: 200%;"><span id="t9iw69"><span id="t9iw70">[3]</span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div></div><div id="aji90"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=2197404598798041270&postID=8694950958983041208" id="ce7j74" name="_ftnref3" style="font-family: Verdana;" title=""></a><span id="myhz33" style="line-height: 200%;font-family:Verdana;" ><span id="t9iw73"><span id="t9iw74">The expectancy of prophetic cessation is not only demonstrated in John’s motivation for writing Revelation 22:18-19, but the warning itself gives reason to believe that divine revelation has ceased.</span></span> <span id="t9iw77"><span id="t9iw78">In John’s Apocalypse, revelatory elements extend from the lifetime of John until eternity future.</span></span> <span id="t9iw81"><span id="t9iw82">Therefore “[a]ny type of prophetic utterance would intrude into the domain of this coverage and constitute either an addition to or subtraction from Revelation’s content.</span></span> <span id="t9iw85"><span id="t9iw86">So the final book of the Bible is also the concluding product of the NT prophecy.”</span></span> <span id="myhz38"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=2197404598798041270&postID=8694950958983041208" id="myhz39" name="_ftnref4" title=""><span id="myhz40"><span id="myhz41"><span id="myhz42" style="line-height: 200%;"><span id="t9iw89"><span id="t9iw90">[4]</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></span></div><div id="myhz43" style="font-family: Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div id="aji91"></div></div><hr id="myhz45" face="Verdana" align="left" size="1" width="33%"><div id="aji92"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=2197404598798041270&postID=8694950958983041208" id="myhz47" name="_ftn1" face="Verdana" title=""><span id="myhz48"><span id="myhz49"><span id="myhz50"><span id="myhz51" style="line-height: 200%;"><span id="t9iw97"><span id="lqk7">[1]</span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span id="t9iw99" style="font-family:Verdana;"><span id="lqk70"> David Farnell, “Is the Gift of Prophecy for Today?</span></span> <span id="t9iw103" style="font-family:Verdana;"><span id="lqk72">Part 1: The Current Debate about New Testament Prophecy,” </span></span><i id="myhz53" style="font-family:Verdana;"><span id="t9iw105"><span id="lqk73">Bibliotheca</span></span></i> <i id="myhz54" style="font-family:Verdana;"><span id="t9iw109"><span id="lqk75">Sacra</span></span></i><span id="t9iw111" style="font-family:Verdana;"><span id="lqk76">, 149:595 (Jul 92): 283.</span></span></div><div class="MsoFootnoteText" id="myhz61" style="margin: 0px;font-family:Verdana;"><div id="aji93"><span id="ce7j75"><span id="lqk79"><span id="lqk710"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=2197404598798041270&postID=8694950958983041208" id="myhz56" name="_ftn2" title=""><span id="myhz57"><span id="myhz58"><span id="myhz59"><span id="myhz60" style="line-height: 200%;"><span id="t9iw113"><span id="lqk711">[2]</span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span id="t9iw115"><span id="lqk712"> Ibid, 282-283.</span></span></span></span></span></div></div><div id="ftn4" face="Verdana" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div id="aji94"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=2197404598798041270&postID=8694950958983041208" id="myhz62" name="_ftn3" title=""><span id="myhz63"><span id="myhz64"><span id="myhz65"><span id="myhz66" style="line-height: 200%;"><span id="t9iw117"><span id="lqk713">[3]</span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span id="t9iw119"><span id="lqk714"> Ibid, 284.</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoFootnoteText" id="myhz67" face="Verdana" style="margin: 0px;"><div id="aji95"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=2197404598798041270&postID=8694950958983041208" id="myhz68" name="_ftn4" title=""><span id="myhz69"><span id="myhz70"><span id="myhz71"><span id="myhz72" style="line-height: 200%;"><span id="t9iw121"><span id="lqk715">[4]</span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span id="t9iw123"><span id="lqk716"> Thomas, Robert L. </span></span><i id="myhz73"><span id="t9iw125"><span id="lqk717">Revelation 8-22: An Exegetical Commentary </span></span></i><span id="t9iw127"><span id="lqk718">(Chicago: Moody Press, 1992), 517.</span></span></div></div>____________<br /><div id="v2014" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /><br />5. <b id="rc5f45">1 Corinthians 13:8</b> -<span id="wqif" style="font-family:'Charis SIL';"> <span id="wqif0">Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, <span id="weqe"><b id="ce7j76">they will be done away;</b></span> if there are tongues, <span id="weqe0"><b id="ce7j77">they will cease</b></span>; if there is knowledge, <span id="weqe1"><b id="ce7j78">it will be done away. </b></span></span></span></div><div id="ce7j79" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div id="ce7j80" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span id="wy3b" style="font-family:'Charis SIL';">Many scholars believe that the section here talks about gift ceasing with either the closing of the canon or the maturation of the church.<br /><br /></span></div><div id="ce7j81" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div id="ce7j82" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span id="wqif3" style="font-family:'Charis SIL';"> For treatments on this text go to<a href="http://www.tms.edu/tmsj/tmsj14g.pdf" id="xb44" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139);" title="Cessationism in 1 Corinthians 13:8-12"> </a><a href="http://www.tms.edu/tmsj/tmsj14g.pdf" id="ce7j83" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139);" title="Cessationism in 1 Corinthians 13:8-12">Cessationism in 1 Corinthians 13:8-12</a><br /><br /></span></div><div id="ce7j84" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span id="io2." style="font-family:'Charis SIL';">VII. The Testimony of History </span></div><div id="ce7j85" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div id="ce7j86" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span id="uiw91" style="font-family:'Charis SIL';">The greatest persons in church history after the early overwhelming agree on cessationism. In fact, all the greatest events in church history happened without spiritual gifts and miracles ie the Reformation, the Great Awakening, etc. </span></div><div id="ce7j87" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div id="ce7j88" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span id="yu9t1" style="font-family:'Charis SIL';">From <span id="uiw92" style="font-family:Verdana;"><a href="http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/01/12/a-friday-filler/" id="p4e:" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139);" title="SF Pulpit">SF Pulpit</a><br /><br /></span></span></div><div id="ce7j89" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span id="ro37" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19px;font-family:verdana;" ><b id="yu9t6" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">John Chrysostom</b> (c. 344–407):</span></div><div id="ce7j90" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div id="yu9t8" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t9" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span id="yu9t10" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">This whole place [speaking about 1 Corinthians 12] is very obscure: but the obscurity is produced by our ignorance of the facts referred to and by their cessation, being such as then used to occur but now no longer take place. <a href="http://faithandpractice.blogspot.com/2005/11/footnotes-for-cessationisms-noble.html" id="yu9t11" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><span id="yu9t12" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">[1]</span></a></span></span></div><div id="yu9t14" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t15" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span id="yu9t16" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">*****</span></span></div><div id="yu9t18" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t19" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b id="yu9t20" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Augustine</b> (354–430):</span></div><div id="yu9t21" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t22" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">In the earliest times, “the Holy Ghost fell upon them that believed: and they spake with tongues,” which they had not learned, “as the Spirit gave them utterance.” These were signs adapted to the time. For there behooved to be that betokening of the Holy Spirit in all tongues, to shew that the Gospel of God was to run through all tongues over the whole earth. That thing was done for a betokening, and it passed away. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/" id="yu9t23" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><span id="yu9t24" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">[2]</span></a></span></div><div id="yu9t25" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t26" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span id="yu9t27" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">***** </span> </span></div><div id="yu9t29" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t30" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b id="yu9t31" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Theodoret of Cyrus</b> (c. 393–c. 466):</span></div><div id="yu9t32" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t33" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">In former times those who accepted the divine preaching and who were baptized for their salvation were given visible signs of the grace of the Holy Spirit at work in them. Some spoke in tongues which they did not know and which nobody had taught them, while others performed miracles or prophesied. The Corinthians also did these things, but they did not use the gifts as they should have done. They were more interested in showing off than in using them for the edification of the church. . . . Even in our time grace is given to those who are deemed worthy of holy baptism, but it may not take the same form as it did in those days. <a href="http://faithandpractice.blogspot.com/2005/11/footnotes-for-cessationisms-noble.html" id="yu9t34" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><span id="yu9t35" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">[3]</span></a></span></div><div id="yu9t36" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t37" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">*****</span></div><div id="yu9t38" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t39" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b id="yu9t40" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Martin Luther</b> (1483–1546):</span></div><div id="yu9t41" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t42" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">[Rather than acknowledging the availability of the miraculous gifts of the Spirit, as the spiritual enthusiasts of his time did, Luther (in his <i id="yu9t43" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Large Catechism</i>) defined the Holy Spirit’s gifts as:]</span></div><div id="yu9t44" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t45" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span id="yu9t46" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">· the holy Christian Church,· the communion of saints,· the forgiveness of sins,· the resurrection of the body, and· the life everlasting</span><span id="yu9t51" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">[Thus in the <i id="yu9t52" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Large Catechism</i>, he writes:]</span></span></div><div id="yu9t54" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t55" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Learn this article, then, as clearly as possible. If you are asked, What do you mean by the words, “I believe in the Holy Spirit”? you can answer, “I believe that the Holy Spirit makes me holy, as his name implies.” How does he do this? By what means? Answer: “Through the Christian church, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.” In the first place, he has a unique community in the world. It is the mother that begets and bears every Christian through the Word of God. The Holy Spirit reveals and preaches that Word, and by it he illumines and kindles hearts so that they grasp and accept it, cling to it, and persevere in it” <a href="http://faithandpractice.blogspot.com/2005/11/footnotes-for-cessationisms-noble.html" id="yu9t56" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><span id="yu9t57" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">[4]</span></a></span></div><div id="yu9t58" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t59" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">[As <i id="yu9t60" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Encyclopedia of Religion</i> concludes: “Both Luther and Calvin wrote that the age of miracles was over and that their occurrence should not be expected.”]</span></div><div id="yu9t61" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t62" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">*****</span></div><div id="yu9t63" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t64" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b id="yu9t65" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">John Calvin</b> (1509–1564):</span></div><div id="yu9t66" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t67" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Though Christ does not expressly state whether he intends this gift [of miracles] to be temporary, or to remain perpetually in the Church, yet it is more probable that miracles were promised only for a time, in order to give lustre to the gospel while it was new or in a state of obscurity. <a href="http://faithandpractice.blogspot.com/2005/11/footnotes-for-cessationisms-noble.html" id="yu9t68" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><span id="yu9t69" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">[5]</span></a></span></div><div id="yu9t70" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t71" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“…the gift of healing, like the rest of the miracles, which the Lord willed to be brought forth for a time, has vanished away in order to make the preaching of the Gospel marvellous for ever.” <a href="http://faithandpractice.blogspot.com/2005/11/footnotes-for-cessationisms-noble.html" id="yu9t72" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><span id="yu9t73" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">[6]</span></a></span></div><div id="yu9t74" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t75" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">*****</span></div><div id="yu9t76" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t77" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b id="yu9t78" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">John Owen</b> (1616–1683):</span></div><div id="yu9t79" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t80" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“Gifts which in their own nature exceed the whole power of all our faculties, that dispensation of the Spirit is long since ceased and where it is now pretended unto by any, it may justly be suspected as an enthusiastic delusion.” <a href="http://faithandpractice.blogspot.com/2005/11/footnotes-for-cessationisms-noble.html" id="yu9t81" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><span id="yu9t82" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">[7]</span></a></span></div><div id="yu9t83" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t84" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span id="yu9t85" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span id="yu9t86" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;color:black;" >*****</span></span></span></div><div id="yu9t87" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t88" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b id="yu9t89" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Thomas Watson</b> (c 1620–1686):</span></div><div id="yu9t90" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t91" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“Sure, there is as much need of ordination now as in Christ’s time and in the time of the apostles, there being then extraordinary gifts in the church which are now ceased.” <a href="http://faithandpractice.blogspot.com/2005/11/footnotes-for-cessationisms-noble.html" id="yu9t92" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><span id="yu9t93" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">[8]</span></a></span></div><div id="yu9t94" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t95" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">*****</span></div><div id="yu9t96" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t97" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b id="yu9t98" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Matthew Henry</b> (1662–1714):</span></div><div id="yu9t99" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t100" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">What these gifts were is at large told us in the body of the chapter [1 Corinthians 12]; namely, extraordinary offices and powers, bestowed on ministers and Christians<i id="yu9t101" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> in the first ages</i>, for conviction of unbelievers, and propagation of the gospel. <a href="http://faithandpractice.blogspot.com/2005/11/footnotes-for-cessationisms-noble.html" id="yu9t102" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><span id="yu9t103" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">[9]</span></a></span></div><div id="yu9t104" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t105" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The gift of tongues was one new product of the spirit of prophecy and given for a particular reason, that, the Jewish pale being taken down, all nations might be brought into the church. These and other gifts of prophecy, being a sign, have long since ceased and been laid aside, and we have no encouragement to expect the revival of them; but, on the contrary, are directed to call the scriptures the more sure word of prophecy, more sure than voices from heaven; and to them we are directed to take heed, to search them, and to hold them fast, 2 Peter 1:29. <a href="http://faithandpractice.blogspot.com/2005/11/footnotes-for-cessationisms-noble.html" id="yu9t106" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><span id="yu9t107" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">[10]</span></a></span></div><div id="yu9t108" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t109" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">*****</span></div><div id="yu9t110" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t111" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b id="yu9t112" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Conyers Middleton</b> (1683–1750):</span></div><div id="yu9t113" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t114" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">We have no sufficient reason to believe, upon the authority of the primitive fathers, that any such powers were continued to the church, after the days of the Apostles.<a href="http://faithandpractice.blogspot.com/2005/11/footnotes-for-cessationisms-noble.html" id="yu9t115" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><span id="yu9t116" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">[11]</span></a></span></div><div id="yu9t117" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t118" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span id="yu9t119" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span id="yu9t120" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;color:black;" >*****</span></span></span></div><div id="yu9t121" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t122" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b id="yu9t123" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">John Gill</b> (1697–1771):</span></div><div id="yu9t124" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t125" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">[Commenting on 1 Corinthians 12:9 and 30:]</span></div><div id="yu9t126" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t127" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Now these gifts were bestowed in common, by the Spirit, on apostles, prophets, and pastors, or elders of the church, in those early times: the Alexandrian copy, and the Vulgate Latin version, read, “by one Spirit”. <a href="http://faithandpractice.blogspot.com/2005/11/footnotes-for-cessationisms-noble.html" id="yu9t128" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><span id="yu9t129" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">[12]</span></a></span></div><div id="yu9t130" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t131" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">No; when these gifts were in being, all had them not. When anointing with oil, in order to heal the sick, was in use, it was only performed by the elders of the church, not by the common members of it, who were to be sent for by the sick on this occasion. <a href="http://faithandpractice.blogspot.com/2005/11/footnotes-for-cessationisms-noble.html" id="yu9t132" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><span id="yu9t133" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">[13]</span></a></span></div><div id="yu9t134" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t135" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">*****</span></div><div id="yu9t136" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t137" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b id="yu9t138" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Jonathan Edwards</b> (1703–1758):</span></div><div id="yu9t139" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t140" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">In the days of his [Jesus’] flesh, his disciples had a measure of the miraculous gifts of the Spirit, being enabled thus to teach and to work miracles. But after the resurrection and ascension, was the most full and remarkable effusion of the Spirit in his miraculous gifts that ever took place, beginning with the day of Pentecost, after Christ had risen and ascended to heaven. And in consequence of this, not only here and there an extraordinary person was endowed with these extraordinary gifts, but they were common in the church, and so continued during the lifetime of the apostles, or till the death of the last of them, even the apostle John, which took place about a hundred years from the birth of Christ; so that the first hundred years of the Christian era, or the first century, was the era of miracles. But soon after that, the canon of Scripture being completed when the apostle John had written the book of Revelation, which he wrote not long before his death, these miraculous gifts were no longer continued in the church. For there was now completed an established written revelation of the mind and will of God, wherein God had fully recorded a standing and all-sufficient rule for his church in all ages. And the Jewish church and nation being overthrown, and the Christian church and the last dispensation of the church of God being established, the miraculous gifts of the Spirit were no longer needed, and therefore they ceased; for though they had been continued in the church for so many ages, yet then they failed, and God caused them to fail because there was no further occasion for them. And so was fulfilled the saying of the text, “Whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.” And now there seems to be an end to all such fruits of the Spirit as these, and we have no reason to expect them any more. <a href="http://faithandpractice.blogspot.com/2005/11/footnotes-for-cessationisms-noble.html" id="yu9t141" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><span id="yu9t142" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">[14]</span></a></span></div><div id="yu9t143" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t144" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Of the extraordinary gifts, they were given in order to the founding and establishing of the church in the world. But since the canon of Scriptures has been completed, and the Christian church fully founded and established, these extraordinary gifts have ceased. <a href="http://faithandpractice.blogspot.com/2005/11/footnotes-for-cessationisms-noble.html" id="yu9t145" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><span id="yu9t146" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">[15]</span></a></span></div><div id="yu9t147" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t148" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">*****</span></div><div id="yu9t149" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t150" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b id="yu9t151" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">George Whitefield</b> (1714-1770):</span></div><div id="yu9t152" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t153" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">[After being accused of practicing the miraculous gifts of the Spirit, said:]</span></div><div id="yu9t154" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t155" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I never did pretend to these extraordinary operations of working miracles, or speaking with tongues [since] the karismata, the miraculous gifts conferred on the primitive church . . . have long since ceased. <a href="http://faithandpractice.blogspot.com/2005/11/footnotes-for-cessationisms-noble.html" id="yu9t156" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><span id="yu9t157" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">[16]</span></a></span> </div><div id="yu9t161" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t162" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span id="yu9t163" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span id="yu9t164" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;color:black;" >*****</span></span></span></div><div id="yu9t165" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t166" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b id="yu9t167" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">James Buchanan</b> (1804-1870):</span></div><div id="yu9t168" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t169" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The miraculous gifts of the Spirit have long since been withdrawn. They were used for a temporary purpose. They were the scaffolding with God employed for the erection of a spiritual temple. When it was no longer needed the scaffolding was taken down, but the temple still stands, and is occupied by his indwelling Spirit; for, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you” (I Cor. 3:16). <a href="http://faithandpractice.blogspot.com/2005/11/footnotes-for-cessationisms-noble.html" id="yu9t170" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><span id="yu9t171" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">[17]</span></a></span></div><div id="yu9t172" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t173" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">*****</span></div><div id="yu9t174" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t175" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b id="yu9t176" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Robert L. Dabney</b> (1820–1898):</span></div><div id="yu9t177" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t178" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">After the early church had been established, the same necessity for supernatural signs now no longer existed, and God, Who is never wasteful in His expedients, withdrew them. . . . Miracles, if they became ordinary, would cease to be miracles, and would be referred by men to customary law. <a href="http://faithandpractice.blogspot.com/2005/11/footnotes-for-cessationisms-noble.html" id="yu9t179" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><span id="yu9t180" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">[18]</span></a></span></div><div id="yu9t181" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t182" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">*****</span></div><div id="yu9t183" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t184" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b id="yu9t185" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Charles Spurgeon</b> (1834–1892):</span></div><div id="yu9t186" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t187" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">[The believers mentioned in the book of Hebrews] had attained the summit of piety. They had received “the powers of the world to come.” <i id="yu9t188" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Not miraculous gifts, which are denied us in these days, but all those powers with which the Holy Ghost endows a Christian.</i> And what are they? Why, there is the power of faith, which commands even the heavens themselves to rain, and they rain, or stops the bottles of heaven, that they rain not. There is the power of prayer, which puts a ladder between earth and heaven, and bids angels walk up and down, to convey our wants to God, and bring down blessings from above. There is the power with which God girds his servant when he speaks by inspiration, which enables him to instruct others, and lead them to Jesus; and whatever other power there may be—the power of holding communion with God, or the power of patient waiting for the Son of Man—they were possessed by these individuals. <a href="http://faithandpractice.blogspot.com/2005/11/footnotes-for-cessationisms-noble.html" id="yu9t189" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><span id="yu9t190" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">[19]</span></a></span></div><div id="yu9t191" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t192" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The works of the Holy Spirit which are at this time vouchsafed to the Church of God are every way as valuable as those earlier miraculous gifts which have departed from us. The work of the Holy Spirit, by which men are quickened from their death in sin, is not inferior to the power which made men speak with tongues. <a href="http://faithandpractice.blogspot.com/2005/11/footnotes-for-cessationisms-noble.html" id="yu9t193" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><span id="yu9t194" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">[20]</span></a></span></div><div id="yu9t195" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t196" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">[Speaking of the office of the apostles,] an office which necessarily dies out, and properly so, because the miraculous power also is withdrawn. <a href="http://faithandpractice.blogspot.com/2005/11/footnotes-for-cessationisms-noble.html" id="yu9t197" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><span id="yu9t198" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">[21]</span></a></span></div><div id="yu9t199" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t200" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">*****</span></div><div id="yu9t201" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t202" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b id="yu9t203" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">George Smeaton</b> (1814–1889):</span></div><div id="yu9t204" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t205" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The supernatural or extraordinary gifts were temporary, and intended to disappear when the Church should be founded and the inspired canon of Scripture closed; for they were an external proof of an internal inspiration. <a href="http://faithandpractice.blogspot.com/2005/11/footnotes-for-cessationisms-noble.html" id="yu9t206" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><span id="yu9t207" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">[22]</span></a></span></div><div id="yu9t208" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t209" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">*****</span></div><div id="yu9t210" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t211" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b id="yu9t212" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Abraham Kuyper</b> (1837–1920):</span></div><div id="yu9t213" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t214" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Many of the charismata, given to the apostolic church, are not of service to the church of the present day. <a href="http://faithandpractice.blogspot.com/2005/11/footnotes-for-cessationisms-noble.html" id="yu9t215" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><span id="yu9t216" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">[23]</span></a></span></div><div id="yu9t217" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t218" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">*****</span></div><div id="yu9t219" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t220" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b id="yu9t221" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">William G. T. Shedd</b> (1820–1894):</span></div><div id="yu9t222" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t223" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The supernatural gifts of inspiration and miracles which the apostles possessed were not continued to their ministerial successors, because they were no longer necessary. All the doctrines of Christianity had been revealed to the apostles, and had been delivered to the church in a written form. There was no further need of an infallible inspiration. And the credentials and authority give to the first preachers of Christianity in miraculous acts, did not need continual repetition from age to age. One age of miracles well authenticated is sufficient to establish the divine origin of the gospel. In a human court, an indefinite series of witnesses is not required. “By the mouth of two or three witnesses,” the facts are established. The case once decided is not reopened. <a href="http://faithandpractice.blogspot.com/2005/11/footnotes-for-cessationisms-noble.html" id="yu9t224" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><span id="yu9t225" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">[24]</span></a></span></div><div id="yu9t226" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t227" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">*****</span></div><div id="yu9t228" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t229" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b id="yu9t230" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Benjamin B. Warfield</b> (1887–1921):</span></div><div id="yu9t231" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t232" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">These gifts were not the possession of the primitive Christian as such; nor for that matter of the Apostolic Church or the Apostolic age for themselves; they were distinctively the authentication of the Apostles. They were part of the credentials of the Apostles as the authoritative agents of God in founding the church. Their function thus confined them to distinctively the Apostolic Church and they necessarily passed away with it. <a href="http://faithandpractice.blogspot.com/2005/11/footnotes-for-cessationisms-noble.html" id="yu9t233" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><span id="yu9t234" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">[25]</span></a></span></div><div id="yu9t235" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t236" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">*****</span></div><div id="yu9t237" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t238" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b id="yu9t239" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Arthur W. Pink</b> (1886–1952):</span></div><div id="yu9t240" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span id="yu9t241" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">As there were offices extraordinary (apostles and prophets) at the beginning of our dispensation, so there were gifts extraordinary; and as successors were not appointed for the former, so a continuance was never intended for the latter. The gifts were dependent upon the officers. We no longer have the apostles with us and therefore the supernatural gifts (the communication of which was an essential part of “the signs of an apostle,” II Cor. 12:12) are absent. <a href="http://faithandpractice.blogspot.com/2005/11/footnotes-for-cessationisms-noble.html" id="yu9t242" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><span id="yu9t243" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">[26]</span></a></span></div></div>The Predestined Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01587261989476613134noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197404598798041270.post-33046735998608019182008-03-08T00:16:00.021-06:002008-08-03T01:44:29.815-05:00Theodicy: The Problem of Evil and God - ||Work in Progress||-<b><u>Theodicy</u></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><font size="1"><br />
</font></span><br />
<div style="font-style: italic;">I was hesitant to put this article online in an unpolished form, but it is in response to a recent lecture we had in medical school about spirituality and medicine. The speaker posed this question to our class and I had to go back and think about it. This is something I came up with some time ago, but never got around to putting the finishing touches on it (so please forgive the mess!).</div><div style="font-style: italic;"></div>I am indebted to Dr. John S. Feinberg for his book where I was blessed with most of these ideas:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Many-Faces-Evil-Theological-Problems/dp/1581345674/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1204951173&sr=8-1" id="pnlt" title="The Many Faces of Evil: Theological Systems and the Problems of Evil">The Many Faces of Evil: Theological Systems and the Problems of Evil</a><br />
<br />
I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who seriously wants to tackle this problem. All page references are to this book.<br />
<br />
First things first, we must ask ourselves Does God owe us anything? In fact, Christians claim that we only deserve His righteous judgment. So any suffering that does come our way is far less than what we deserve and any blessing far more than we ever merited. One of the major problems we have is that are natural disposition is to feel that God is entitled to give us a basic minimum, when this is simply not the case (and even harder to show logically that He is entitled).<br />
<br />
In a nutshell:<br />
<br />
If we deserve something from God --> If He doesn't satisfy that minimum, He is evil or probably does not exist (at least not as the Christian God)<br />
<br />
If we deserve nothing from God --> We cannot blame Him for not giving us something nor when bad things befall us<br />
<br />
With that said...<br />
<br />
*************************<b><br />
What is theodicy? </b><br />
<br />
In short how can an omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent God allow evil?<br />
<br />
The problem of evil must first be separated out into two different aspects:<br />
<br />
1. The real purpose of all evil - maybe possible to answer (Would have to get the answer straight from God)<br />
<br />
2. Possible explanation of why it exists - definitely possible to answer (We could come up with logical scenarios as to why God would allow evil, though they might not be the absolute real reason or simply part of the reason)<br />
Another important aspect to remember is that there are many problems of evil not just one. The problem most people refer to is the logical problem of evil, however there is:<br />
<br />
a) The religious/personal problem of evil (Why is this happening to me?)<br />
<br />
b) The evidential problem (Evil used as evidence against God)<br />
<br />
c) The problem of natural evil (Evil in nature)<br />
<br />
d) The problem of hell<br />
<br />
Remember the logical problem of evil is asking if it is coherent that God can be omnipotent, omniscient, omnibenevolent, and let evil exist (David Hume's critique). This is the problem most people bring against Christianity and thus will be the main topic of this blog (with some additional comments on the other problems.) If we show that the above mentioned statements are logically non-contradictory, we have settled the argument, regardless if the opponent is displeased or disagrees with the answer, for all we need to show is that God and evil can be logical coherent.<br />
<br />
It is super important to keep in mind that the logical answer to the problem of evil will not necessarily help out someone who is struggling with the religious/personal problem of evil. So don't try to comfort someone who is in pain by saying "Hey, I know how to logically reconcile your situation and an omnibenevolent God" b/c it probably won't help.<br />
<br />
It is also crucial that the problem of evil be addressed within the various theological systems (i.e Calvinism and Arminism each answering for itself). The great thing is, even if you don't agree with the system (in fact I really don't agree with Hicks and Adams) it can still answer the problem of evil and accomplish our goal.<br />
<br />
<b><u>The Free Will Defense</u></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><br />
</span><br />
<u>Major Proponents: Augustine & Plantinga</u><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><br />
</span><br />
<u>Is it required of God to remove moral evil?</u><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br />
</span><br />
1. Free will is a good thing and God bestowed it upon humans (and fallen angels). It is impossible to have free will without the chance to do evil. God gave man (Adam) all the blessings and easiest opportunities to prove himself, but he made a wrong choice. In this way, when Adam and Satan fell, evil entered the world through their agency, thus evil in no way had its origin in God.<br />
<br />
2. Moral evil is the product of human willing, which is permitted by God (pg 61). All evil comes from sinners and not God. Should God take away our choices and make us robots? Is it fair for God to let us reap the rewards or punishments of our choices. Why should He come in and stop us and would we want to live in a world where He restricted our freedoms like that?<br />
<br />
3. Free will is a gift to us to use for good and for God to reward us. Should God be at fault for our misuse of it? - Augustine<br />
<br />
Extra Notes:<br />
<br />
a. Augustine also said that God's foreknowledge does not necessitate man's sin.<br />
<br />
b. Plantinga notes that "God creates a world containing evil and has good reason for it." We don't have to know the exact reason, but simply understand there is one. <br />
<br />
c. Freedom + evil is better than being a robot <br />
<br />
d. Take away moral evil, you have to take away some good. [Things like courage and hope could not exist w/o evil.]<br />
<br />
<b><u>Theonomy</u></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><br />
</span><br />
<u>Major Proponent: William Ockham</u><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><br />
</span><br />
1. God is not bound by moral laws, therefore by def. he cannot do evil<br />
<br />
2. God voluntarily submits himself to the moral laws his creatures have to follow and if He has never violated one of those laws, He is cleared, as long as He is not obligated to remove all evil (and He does not). Thus God is neither impotent nor evil.<br />
<br />
On free will (off-topic):<br />
<br />
a. He would answer <a href="http://www.paradoxes.info/NewcombsParadox.html" id="wd2q" title="Newcomb's paradox">Newcomb's paradox</a> by saying you would choose whatever God predicted, however were you not free in that choice at the same time?<br />
<br />
b. God's foreknowledge has no causal power to perform an act.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Leibnizian Rationalism/Most Metaphysical Rich World<br />
</u></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><br />
</span><br />
1. In making a world God could've made one all good, all evil, or a mix of both. In a sense the all good and evil world's are "incomplete" and thus making a world that contains both good and evil is more "complete" and better (metaphysically) - it has the most "reality." This holds especially true if the evil can be used for didactic purposes, to prevent other evils, or to highlight the good (as in consequential ethics).<br />
<br />
2. God is omniscient therefore He knows every possible idea even though they may not be realized (ie God can't know what a round square is, but He does know about evil b/c it is possible). In this way God did not create evil, it is just a possibility.<br />
<br />
3. This world wasn't made for man's maximal happiness and in fact. A world in which man is maximally happy is not necessarily the best, therefore God should rather make the world that is better than the "happy world." Leibniz believed God didn't make the world for man's happiness, b/c God was interested in making the best possible world, which was not a world of maximally happy men. God knows all possible worlds and when He chose to form ours He knew it was the best one - better than one without evil.<br />
<br />
4. The world is best in toto, but not in its parts. Looking at an isolated piece of evil may leave you asking questions, but if you could step back and see the whole picture it makes sense.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Hick's Soul Binding Theodicy</u></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><br />
</span><br />
Is the world the type of environment that fits its primary purpose "soul binding" (building up one's soul). People with (libertarian) freedom is part of this world and it is not God's fault if they don't exercise that gift within this environment.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Marilyn Adams<br />
<br />
</b></u>God's beatific vision for us to suffer and grow closer to Him and to understand Him (to suffer righteously as He did) more.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Feinberg</u></b><br />
<br />
1. The way men are created they are built in with desire. Desire gone astray (James 1:15-17) produces sin. Some of the surrounding conditions may be brought about by God, but "the temptation to evil and the actual willing of evil stem not from God, but from man."<br />
<br />
2. Humans are not sub or superhumans ie we are what we are. "Why not make a another creature who is unable to do evil?" - God intended to make non-glorified human beings. In Christian theology, glorified human beings cannot sin (think in heaven). However, it was not God's intention for us, while on Earth to be like that. It is important to remember we are, in God's eyes, the pinnacle of creation. The point here is we are created with a high intrinsic value already and cannot fault God for making us less than perfect. (Think complaining of about a $50,000 engagement ring b/c you want a million dollar one)<br />
<br />
3. Though Satan may tempt us, the problem originates in us and saying "Satan made me do it" will not hold up on judgment day.<br />
<br />
4. If God were to remove all evil right now, we would still sin - Adam did why not us? Remember, we would all be frozen if God removed all evil and even our well intentioned deeds that would lead to evil (like accidents) would have to be frozen.<br />
<br />
5. Everyone says that God can make some better world or could have made the eternal state now. But this is better in what way? God could've had a reason to make this world. God can't make the non-glorified human he made and also accomplish the goals he has achieved by creating our world.<br />
<br />
6. One of the general points of this view (modified rationalism) is that our universe is one of the good universes. It may not necessarily be the best, in fact, Feinberg might ask "Does it make sense to even ask 'What the Best Universe' is? And according to who?' " Therefore evil has an important purpose in the universe and without it our particular universe could not exist (ie to show the love of Christ on the Cross among other things). We don't have to like the reason God uses evil, but remember this is about logically coherency, NOT IF WE AGREE WITH GOD.<br />
<br />
<u><b>(Unattached) Natural Evil (ie acts of nature)</b></u><br />
<br />
1. Some natural evil could be caused by humans (and as a logical possibility demons)<br />
<br />
2. God made the world perfect and it is by virtue of the fall that nature is afflicted.<br />
<br />
3. Everyone will die and death is meted out by different causes (genetic, natural, moral/human acts)<br />
<br />
4. No one deserves grace and God is (by def. of grace) not required to give it and in fact probably does hold back a lot.<br />
<br />
5. Nature's processes are good and regular (cf. miracle intervened world). Remember, what's the difference btwn a good rain and a drought or a flood - too little or too much.<br />
<br />
6. God does not and should not remove natural processes<br />
<br />
<u><b>Evidential Case of Evil<br />
</b></u><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><br />
</span><br />
In a nutshell, it says that the very existence of evil negates God or that it is rational (i.e. probability wise) to be an atheist<br />
<br />
1. Many atheist philosophers agree that it is God and evil are logically consistent and that theist can argue against Hume's points.<br />
<br />
2. Go the Van Tillian (presuppositional) route and say one cannot define evil without God - For than what defines good and evil?<br />
<br />
<br />
3. The probabilities will always be in dispute depending on your presuppositions. Think about the intelligent design vs evolution debate.<br />
4. Must consider all the background evidence, not just evil's existence to when considering the nonexistence of God. Evil counts against God and is given some -% value, but design in nature, the cosmological argument, the moral argument are all +%. See Plantinga's example of Frisian swimmers on page 209. Depending on your presuppositions, you will give different %.<br />
5. We do not have to be cognizant of God's purposes for evil and we may not rationally have epistemic access to it.<br />
<br />
6. Our reactions to evil and our feelings of disgust don't (logically) negate God's existence b/c we would feel the same way if He did not exist (ie our personal dislike/feelings for evil do not logically negate His existence).<br />
<br />
7.Wykstra's Parent Argument (suffer now for some later good see #8 below) + Core Naturalism (the believe where evil has no purpose b/c the whole world is purely physical) and then someone shifts to Core Theism (That evil has purpose) = Good argument pg 233 [This is really complex, so I'm not even going to try to explain it here...]<br />
<br />
8. Atheists want to know the why there is seemingly pointless evil, but they must show an actual instance of pointless suffering b/c we all have experiences where are hardships made us stronger. Consider someone who missed a plane for the birth of their child and was super angry yelling at God "What was the point of me missing this?!" only to find out that plane crashed. Point is there may be no pointless suffering.<br />
9. Can flip the argument on them and say b/c there are so many numinous/divine experiences it is doubtful God does not exist. (Presuppositions are key*)<br />
10. Our noetic structure will make us assign different probabilities to variable regarding the evidence for or against God's existence. Why can't God be properly basic identity that defies evidence. B/c of our biased presuppositions all probability arguments are purely autobiographical.<br />
11. If God were to come down and intervene every time an evil act or thought would occur - what kind of world would this be? And would it even be a better world? <br />
<br />
<b><u>Gems/Personal Insights (may be unrelated):</u></b><br />
<br />
0. Relational view of God and His desire to show His whole character to us.<br />
1. Flew's Freewill = unconstrained, able to make other choices, can be casually determined. Think of Dennet's example. If you had to kill someone to protect the whole world, you are compelled to do it, but you could freely choose to do otherwise - you freely will to kill the person based on the consequences. As opposed to, someone who hates the world and thus doesn't care if it goes away, but scientists knowing this decide to control him with some sort of brain manipulating device. In this instance you to kill the person even though you don't will it, thus it is not freewill.] <br />
Remember randomness in making decisions (incompatibalism) is not good*<br />
2. The Two Utopias Hypothesis: Eden and Heaven. Heaven; Eden, Heaven is not possible w/o Sin and Christ.<br />
3. If a person can freely choose God, theoretically he can do so for every choice.<br />
4. Humans in heaven never sin and b/c Jesus was fully human and never sinned (assuming impeccability) always choosing good in not incompatible w/ humanity nor free will.<br />
5. Frankfurt style + compatibilism defense of free will = Don't need alternate possibilities + Able to be causally determined and still have alternate choices <br />
6. The problem of incompatibilism and omniscience = If incompatiblism is correct and there aren't antecedent conditions.<br />
7. Boethian Free Will: God sees all of time (all is "present"), but we don't know and we are bound by the 4 dimensions.<br />
8. Glorified beings in the eternal state do not possess the same kind of human nature as ours.<br />
9. Augustinian vs Irenian Tradition:<br />
a) Augustinian tradition tries to put the responsibility of evil away from God unto man.<br />
b) Irenian tradition tries to justify God's ultimate reason for evil.<br />
10. God voluntarily steps into time, so does it even make sense to question what predestining in atemporality is?<br />
11. Evil is allowed for the "common good" (like necessary for the eternal state) see #2.<br />
12. We are not responsible for creating our nature it is by def. forces external to us that do (whether evolution or God). We are built in with a natural inclination toward God, the eternal state can be a place where all barriers (sin) are removed from that natural inclination.<br />
13. There are only oh so many ways for God to remove evil from this world, why not through Christ and the eternal state? Comparatively speaking our world is way less than 1% of known history. Remember it is not a question of if God will get rid of evil, only when. <br />
14. We don't necessarily have to show the morally sufficient reason why God created this world, just that this is a good world. To say that their is a better world God could've made is beyond what is necessary for the logical problem of evil.<br />
15. God's chief end is to bring Himself glory and to show His goodness to creation. All creation is made to Glorify God.<br />
16. Satan & Co. may take some responsibility for natural and other evils.<br />
17. If God created a world where miraculously intervened: a) would destroy predicted regularity.<br />
18. If God created a world with less evil (no evil) how do you show that the world would be significantly better? Must show<br />
19. Who has the burden of proof with the evidential problem of evil. The atheist is the one who is saying that evil is evidence against God, than all theists need to do is defend instead of making a positive case for theism.<br />
20. If God had permitted less evil than He has actually permitted whatever free creatures He had would have acted less well (or less free?) than His actual free creatures actually do.<br />
<br />
******************** <br />
Personal Notes<br />
<br />
1. I am a compatibalistic in term of free will and a consequentialist in terms of my ethics (though I have nonconsequentialist inklings)<br />
2. My theodicy is that God wanted to make Himself known to us and enter into a full relationship with us and that entailed revealing His love for us on the Cross.<br />
3. My defense is [for now] the value of free will (I think incomp. free will is logically incoherent) and that God has a sufficient moral reason for allowing evil and we don't need to know it b/c this is a good world (but perhaps the best - if there is such a notion).<br />
4. Remember Romans 9 God can do what he wants.<br />
5. See John Piper's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0801070791/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img">Justification of God</a> for more on Romans 9<br />
6. Remember Adam brought this upon himself - the test was so easy!<br />
7. Realize there are severe consequences and the eality of sin.<br />
8. Angels are superhuman beings and it is difficult to ascertain the capacities of their free will.<br />
9. Human beings sin caused their lifespan to be 120 (evidence of God withholding evil, along w/ government and the role of the Holy Spirit)<br />
10. God did make everything perfect! The Fall has definite effects ie death. Everyone must die whether its from disease (slow or fast), genetic, or from nature. This was God's warning to Adam. Does it make God worse to mete out one death versus another.<br />
11. No one deserves grace! All have sinned and fall short!<br />
12. Against the evidential argument for evil: Is there a ontological necessity between the existence of (grautitous) evil and the non-existence of God? No, rather evil can only be explained by God.<br />
13. Quantum Mechanics and Relativity Resolution: The theories are not reconcilable, however are perfect in regards to describing their associated phenomenom. God's sovereignty and our free will are an instance of this "paradox," rather resolution.The Predestined Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01587261989476613134noreply@blogger.com1