13-The Amillennial Position Explained ECLEA Videos 2020-11-09 | This lecture discusses why the amillennial position is the most biblically accurate eschatological view. This is based on the "two age" biblical eschatological structure and the significance of the second coming of Christ. Further, in this lecture we discuss the reasons why Revelation 20 parallels Revelation 19 instead of following it chronologically. Further, the significance of the "first-second" schema of Revelation 20 (pertaining to the "first resurrection" and the "second death") is highlighted.
7-Naturalism is self-refuting ECLEA Videos 2024-06-28 | Although many people think that Christianity is at odds, if not at war, with science, historians of science point out that Christianity was, in fact, necessary for the rise of modern science. Christians past and present have been and are leaders in science. However, in the years following Darwin’s publication of On the Origin of Species, there was a philosophical or metaphysical change, among many in science, to the worldview of naturalism. In this lecture I introduce the primary alternative to Christianity (and theism in general), namely, naturalism (a/k/a materialism or physicalism). This is the worldview being aggressively promoted by the “new atheists” such as Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, and Sam Harris. I note the implications of this “universal acid” (Dennett’s phrase). I begin with skeptic David Hume’s assessment of the fact that naturalism cannot justify itself or provide any basis for abstract universals such as the regularity of nature, the laws of logic, or truth. Only theism, particularly Christianity, provides an adequate basis for such regularity, the reliability of reason, and abstract universals. I look at C. S. Lewis’s argument from reason and Alvin Plantinga’s similar evolutionary argument from reason to flesh this out.
2-The Bible: its nature, development, and reliability ECLEA Videos 2024-06-28 | In this lecture I discuss the nature and development of the Bible, the wealth of manuscript evidence that shows us we can be confident that the Bible we have conforms to the original writings, and show why we know it has not been corrupted. I discuss how archaeology has corroborated what the Bible says. I conclude by observing that if Jesus is who he said he is (God come to earth as a man), that provides an independent means of knowing that the Bible is reliable, because he accepted its reliability
16-Possible reasons for the existence of evil; the existence of hell; and conclusion ECLEA Videos 2024-06-28 | Although many people think that we are central, and God must have created the world to bring about the best state for humanity, that is incorrect. God is the greatest good that could possibly be, and he created the world primarily for his own glory. Sin and evil are necessary in order that all aspects of God's nature and character are properly revealed. Humans are very important in-and-of-themselves and to God. God could not eliminate evil without at the same time eliminating human beings and the world as we know it. Further, the evil that God allows and ordains ultimately serves to bring about the greater good of creation, which will be fully revealed at the consummation. Even now, however, evil serves as part of the testing, discipling, disciplining, sanctifying, and other processes for people. This lecture also discusses the existence of hell, which can be viewed both as a matter of justice and of God's respect for human integrity and choice, and is not inconsistent either with God's justice or his goodness.
15-Gods relationship to evil, part 2 ECLEA Videos 2024-06-28 | 15-Although God is sovereign over everything (including evil), God stands against evil. In fact, he chose to enter the world as a human being in the person of Jesus Christ and himself be subject to evil suffering (far more than all humans and animals combined have ever endured). Through what Jesus accomplished, he can destroy evil without destroying us. Further, he will come again to put an end to all evil and death and give his people glorious new resurrection bodies in a glorious new world. This has momentous consequences for us here and now. Finally, this lecture briefly considers two other ways of looking at God's relationship to sin and evil.
11-Naturalism cannot account for the existence of life or the universe ECLEA Videos 2024-06-28 | In this lecture we look at the science which demonstrates that naturalism and naturalistic processes cannot account for the origin of life or the existence of the universe itself. I consider the latest theories of the universe (M-theory and the multiverse).
5-The crucifixion of Jesus Christ ECLEA Videos 2024-06-28 | In this lecture I consider the significance of the historical evidence that indicates, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Jesus was crucified, just as he said he would be. The two alleged alternative explanations which I discuss are the “substitution” theory (favored by many Muslims) and the “swoon” theory.
1-Introduction ECLEA Videos 2024-06-28 | In the introduction I raise the “big questions” of life that everyone asks, e.g., Why is there something rather than nothing? Is there a God? Why is there so much evil in the world? I list the major views that compete with Christianity and give an overview of the scope and argument of this book. I also note the practical implications of what I will be discussing, “If, as is asserted and argued for here, Christianity is true, that will have implications for the lives and eternal destinies of those who currently are not Christians and also for those who claim to be Christians but who are not living in conformity with their faith.”
14-Responses to the problem of evil, part 2; and Gods relationship to evil, part 1 ECLEA Videos 2024-06-28 | In raising the issue of the existence of evil, atheists often cite the existence of natural evils, the apparent gratuitousness of much evil, and the quantity of evil as reasons for doubting God's existence. These issues are addressed as is the fact that God wasn't required to actualize any world, and it is only through him that we are alive at all. This lecture then looks at God's relationship to evil. We see that God has an asymmetric relationship with good and evil. While God is wholly sovereign (even over evil), that does not negate human responsibility for the choices we make; Biblical examples thus indicate that there is a "compatibilistic" notion of human freedom.
9-Naturalistic evolution: the development of new organs, forms, functions, and organisms ECLEA Videos 2024-06-28 | In this lecture I discuss how science demonstrates that naturalistic processes (e.g., mutations and natural selection) do not have the capacity to generate even one cell, let alone new organs, forms, functions, and organisms. Indeed, many scientists and philosophers now conclude that the theory of evolution and natural selection are not even proper scientific theories at all, but are simply tautologies.
17-The Gospel ECLEA Videos 2024-06-28 | In this lecture I lay out the basics of the Gospel, i.e., how we are all sinners, cannot save ourselves, and must turn in faith to Jesus Christ, who did for us what we never could do for ourselves. I show five reasons why it is impossible for anyone to do enough “good deeds” or perform other actions to save him or herself and why God could not just say “I forgive you,” but had to go to the cross in the person of Jesus. I conclude by discussing the implications of the Gospel for our lives.
8-Naturalistic evolution: the fossil record; and microbiological evidence ECLEA Videos 2024-06-28 | In this lecture I consider the major contemporary alternative to Christianity, the theory of naturalistic (i.e., unguided) evolution. I consider both the fossil record and the amazing scientific data in the area of microbiology, both of which contradict what Darwin's theory predicts.
12-Naturalism cannot account for supernatural and post death experiences ECLEA Videos 2024-06-28 | in this lecture I discuss the fact that there are thousands of well-documented and corroborated accounts of supernatural experiences (including encounters with God, angels, miracles, etc.) and post-death experiences. All such experiences contradict what naturalism posits.
6-The resurrection of Jesus Christ ECLEA Videos 2024-06-28 | Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection go to the heart of Christianity. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then no rational person should follow him, but if he did rise from the dead, that event confirms his radical claim (to be God come to earth as a man). These issues are not matters of “faith” but of historical fact—either he did or he didn’t—and can be investigated and assessed as such.In this lecture I consider the historical evidence, which indicates, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Jesus bodily rose from the grave, just as he said he would. The alleged alternative explanations which I discuss are: Jesus’ resurrection is only a “legend” that developed later; psychological explanations; Jesus’ resurrection was only “spiritual”; the disciples were hallucinating or had visions; and the body was moved or taken.
18-Who created God? ECLEA Videos 2024-06-28 | This final lecture responds to the question posed by Richard Dawkins, “If God created the universe, then who created God?” I show that the question is actually rather facile, since it presupposes a created “god,” unlike the true God of the Bible. I also give a number of reasons to show how belief in God is “properly basic.”
4-Jesus fulfillment of prophecy ECLEA Videos 2024-06-28 | In this lecture I look at how Jesus fulfilled multiple prophecies concerning his messiahship and his death, prophecies made hundreds of years before Jesus was born and that he could not have “faked” or contrived to fulfill. I also consider probability analysis of his fulfillment of prophecies, which mathematically demonstrates, beyond any reasonable doubt, that the Bible is the word of God and that Jesus is exactly who he said he is.
10-Naturalism cannot account for mind, morality, or human rights ECLEA Videos 2024-06-28 | This lecture considers how naturalism cannot account for anything, including the origin consciousness and mind, of morality, and human rights; one mark of naturalism's falseness is that no one, not even naturalists, is able to live in accordance with the precepts of naturalism.
3-Jesus demonstrates that he is God come to earth as a man ECLEA Videos 2024-06-28 | In this lecture I look at the wealth of biblical data which demonstrate that Jesus is more than “just a man.” These data include multiple statements and actions from both the OT and the NT. These include: Jesus' equating himself with God; his sinless life; the same names, titles, and other attributes that are applied to God in the OT or NT are applied to Jesus in the NT; prophecies and statements pertaining to God are applied to Jesus; and those who knew him best (and thus were the last people to believe that any human being is actually God) worshiped him as God.
13-The Problem of Evil: introduction and responses, part 1 ECLEA Videos 2024-06-28 | The "problem of evil" essentially is: How can an omnipotent, omniscient, good God ordain and allow such rampant evil? Atheists use this issue to argue that God's existence is improbable. However, atheists cannot even coherently raise the issue, because the only basis for there being absolute or universal right and wrong and moral obligation necessitates the existence of God. Since God is all good, one may infer that, although we may not know what it is, he has a "morally sufficient reason" for ordaining and allowing evil. Further, in assessing the probability of God's (or anything else's) existence, one need to consider all the relevant evidence bearing on the subject, not just one fact (the existence of evil). Additionally, given our minuscule knowledge compared to God's, we are not in a position to accurately assess why evil exists and therefore are not in a position to accuse God.
Esther-Introduction ECLEA Videos 2024-01-24 | The story of Esther takes place in in Susa, the capital of the Persian Empire, during the reign of the Persian king Ahasuerus (also known as Xerxes I), who ruled from 486-465 BC. Esther is the one book of the Bible in which God is never named. The circumstances and actions appear purely “natural,” without God’s overt appearance or supernatural interventions. Nevertheless, God is clearly present “behind the scenes.” The existence of multiple “coincidences,” irony, and ironic reversals necessary to the story, show that God is the one driving the plot. In these ways, Esther mirrors the book of Ruth, the only other book in the Bible named after a woman. Both Esther and Ruth involve God’s salvation of his people from actual or threatened disasters. Esther also explains the origin of the Jewish feast of Purim. Esther raises, but does not necessarily answer, important issues concerning how we should act in a pagan culture. It also includes a number of veiled foreshadows of the church and the gospel.
Esther 1:1-22-The Kings banquet and Queen Vashti ECLEA Videos 2024-01-24 | The story begins with the king holding a lavish banquet where he shows off his wealth for 180 days. He commands his wife, Queen Vashti, to appear and display her beauty to his (pr3obably largely drunk) guests. She refuses. His advisors tell him that the queen needs to be deposed and an edict issued to the entire kingdom commanding wives to honor their husbands.
Esther 5:1-7:10-Esthers banquets; Mordecais honor; Hamans execution ECLEA Videos 2024-01-24 | Esther goes to the king. He raises his scepter to her, thus showing her his favor, and asks her what is her request. She requests that he and Haman join her that night for a banquet which she will host. The king agrees. At the banquet the king again asks Esther what is her request. She asks the king and Haman to come to another banquet the next night, when she will tell the king her request. Haman is overjoyed to be so favored by the king and now the queen, but on his way home he sees Mordecai again who does not pay homage to him. He regales his wife and friends with all the honors bestowed on him but also tells of Mordecai, whom he hates. His wife and friends suggest that he construct a gallows 50 cubits high and then get the king ot order Mordecai to be hanged on it. He thinks that is a great idea. That night, however, the king cannot sleep. He orders that the book of the chronicles of his kingdom be read to him. The portion read to him includes an account of how Mordecai had saved the king's life by exposing a plot against the king. The king also learned that nothing had been done to honor Mordecai. The following morning, Haman arrives at the palace to ask the king to hang Mordecai, but the king first asks, "What should be done to honor the man the king wishes to honor?" Haman thinks the king is desiring to honor him, so he says that such a man should be dressed in royal robes, seated on the king's horse, and one of the nobles should lead the man through the city square proclaiming how the king honors him. The king thinks this is a wonderful idea and orders Haman to lead Mordecai through the city square! Haman does this and then returns home in mourning. His wife tells him that, if Mordecai is a Jew, Haman will surely fall. Haman is then taken to Esther's second banquet where she requests of the king that her life and the lives of her people be given to her as her request, because they have been slated for annihilation. The king asks who has done this, and Esther replies, "A foe and an enemy is this wicked Haman!" The king is furious and goes outside to the garden. Haman starts to beg the queen for his life and falls onto the couch where Esther is reclining. At that moment the king returns, thinks that Haman is trying to sexually assault Esther, and orders that Haman be hanged on the very gallows he had had constructed for Mordecai. Haman is then led off and hanged.
Esther 2:1-23-Esther becomes the new queen ECLEA Videos 2024-01-24 | King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) agrees to have a kingdom-wide beauty pageant to select the new queen to take the place of the deposed Vashti. Girls from all over the Persian Empire are rounded up, including a young, orphaned Jewish girl, Hadassa (i.e., Esther), who has been taken in and cared for by her older cousin Mordecai. Esther adheres to all of the requirements of the beauty pageant and finds favor of the eunuch in charge of the women and then the king's favor. The king makes Esther the new queen, but on the advice of Mordecai, she does not disclose that she is a Jew.
Esther 8:1-10:3-The Jews triumph; Purim is instituted; Mordecais greatness ECLEA Videos 2024-01-24 | Because the laws of the Medes and Persians could not be revoked, even though Haman had been executed, the Jews were still in peril. The king gave Mordecai and Esther permission to draft a new edict giving the Jews permission to defend themselves and kill their enemies. This edict is issued and, on 13 Adar, the Jews triumph over their enemies. per Esther's request, in the city of Susa the Jews are also granted an extra day to kill their enemies. The Jews celebrate their victory, and Mordecai and Esther write to the Jews all over the Empire initiating the festival of Purim to commemorate this great deliverance and a perpetual celebration. The book closes with a short description of Mordecai's greatness as "one who sought the good of his people and one who spoke for the welfare of the whole nation."
Esther 3:1-4:17-Hamans plot against the Jews ECLEA Videos 2024-01-24 | Haman had been promoted by the king to the number two position in the Persian Empire. The king had ordered that all people bow to Haman and pay homage to him. Mordecai, however, refused to do so. This infuriated Haman who, when he learned that Mordecai was a Jew, decided that he did not only want to kill Mordecai but wanted to kill all the Jews in the entire Empire. He told the king that there was a "certain people" who did not obey the king's laws and should be eliminated. Without inquiring who the "certain people" were, the king gave Haman permission to draft an edict as he saw fit. Haman cast lots (the "Pur") and determined that 13 Adar would be the day of the annihilation of the Jews, and he drafted an edict to that effect. Mordecai learned of this edict and was distraught. He got word to Queen Esther and implored her to go to the king on behalf of the Jews. She replied that the king had not summoned her in the last 30 days, and anyone who went into the king's presence without being summoned risked death. Mordecai told her that if she did not go to the king, help would come from some other source, but Esther and her household would not escape the fate of the Jews. He then added, "And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for a time such as this?" Esther agreed tto go to the king, called for a three-day fast, and said, "And if I perish, I perish."
Biblical Literacy Course-Part 2 ECLEA Videos 2023-12-21 | This is part 2 of the OT overview. It is entitled "Where Do They Fit?" It describes where the OT books fit in the biblical timeline. It is in three sections: section 1 includes a review and covers the United Kingdom; section 2 covers the Divided Kingdom; and section 3 covers the Exilic and Post-Exilic periods.
Eph 6:10-24-Spiritual warfare; prayer; closing ECLEA Videos 2023-07-21 | This last substantive section of the epistle to the Ephesians raises the issue of spiritual warfare and how to fight it. This is in keeping with what Paul has been saying, to the effect that all of life, whether marriage, the family, employment, or another other area of life, ultimately is spiritual. Our lives are played out in the physical realm of relationships, work, politics, economics, etc. Nevertheless, all of these things are the outward and visible manifestations of spiritual issues and forces behind the scenes. We need to be aware that, even though we may not be able to see or otherwise sense them, demonic forces are real and are active and are trying to adversely affect our lives and stop the spread of the gospel.Each of the pieces of "the full armor of God" Paul lists represents an important Christian doctrine or essential aspect of Christianity. One could summarize what putting on the “full armor of God” is by saying that it amounts to “putting on Christ” or “putting on Christlikeness.” Paul concludes the substance of his epistle by stressing the importance of prayer. Prayer essentially is communication with God. It is based on our faith and trust in him. While it certainly includes making requests to him, it also involves listening to him. Paul’s ending the substantive part of his epistle with this discussion of prayer should challenge us. How does our prayer life compare with how he says we should be praying? The forces of spiritual warfare that we face are just as present and active in our lives and our circumstances as they were in Paul’s. In particular, how many of us pray for boldness, as Paul twice asked for here?In his closing, Paul reveals his pastoral concern for the church he had started. He ends this epistle with the grace which our Lord Jesus Christ bestows on those who love him, his adopted sons and daughters, whom he has redeemed through his blood and sealed with his Spirit. In light of all that, how can we not love him with incorruptibility, in sincerity, undecayingly?
Eph 1:3-14-Our blessings in Christ ECLEA Videos 2023-07-21 | This section reveals that God planned to have a relationship with us from before the foundation of the world (vv. 4-5). He paid the price for that relationship (v. 7), and then sustained that relationship, making it active, living, and guaranteeing its future (vv. 13-14). Paul emphasizes at least 11 times that what God has done for us has been done “in Christ” (or “through Christ” or “in Him” or similar expressions). Nowhere does this passage say or imply that any action on our part was a condition for his choosing or blessing us. In this section we see the Trinity. Although there is a certain overlap, the focus primarily is as follows: God the Father who chose us (vv. 3-6); God the Son who redeemed us (vv. 7-12); and God the Holy Spirit who has sealed us (vv. 13-14). These verses also show us God’s plan, and our part in it, from its foundation in eternity past (v. 4) to its everlasting future realization (v. 14).
Eph 5:18-33-Being filled with the Spirit; wives and husbands ECLEA Videos 2023-07-21 | This section is the capstone of Paul’s discussion of how we are to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called” (4:1). Specifically, in order to live this kind of life, we are to “be filled with the Spirit” (5:18). There are four aspects of v. 18 we should be aware of: (1) “be filled with the Spirit” is an imperative—a command; (2) it is in the present tense, i.e., it is ongoing, something that should continually occur; (3) it applies to all Christians, not just a select few; (4) it is in the passive voice, i.e., we do not fill ourselves with the Spirit, but the active agent who fills us is God. Hence, we are to continually come to him in faith, trusting him to fill us. Being “filled with the Spirit” is characterized by four participles: “speaking” in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (v. 19); “singing” and making melody with your heart to the Lord (v. 19); “giving thanks” for all things to God (v. 20); and “being subject [submitting] to one another” (v. 21). Paul then applies what he has said to specific circumstances, first to marriage; specifically: 5:22-24—responsibilities of wives; 5:25-33—responsibilities of husbands. In contrast to both the inferiority of women in traditional Greek, Hebrew, and Roman societies, Eph 5:22-33 “is a manifesto for a radically new society. Because the household was a microcosm of the entire believing community, it provides a concrete model for how Paul’s readers can carry out the command in Eph. 5:18-21 to be ‘the household of God’ . . . While Paul does not here call for the overthrow of patriarchy, he does indeed call for the relationship between husbands and wives to be oriented according to the New Humanity” (Gombis 2005: 322, 328). Consequently, the household is no longer for the benefit of the patriarch, and wives are no longer considered inferior; headship is based on self-giving and the cross, and authority is to be used for the good of those in subordinate positions; husbands are not to dominate their wives, but to love them (a command that appears in no other ancient household code); those in positions of subordination are to be subordinate “from the heart,” again, based on the cross; the entire passage is patterned on the relationship of Christ and the church, which radically reorients how marriage is to be understood, making it theologically rich and meaningful” (Gombis 2005: 324-28).
Ephesians-Introduction and Eph 1:1-2 ECLEA Videos 2023-07-21 | Ephesians is an epistle of the apostle Paul, probably written in AD 60-61 while he was imprisoned in Rome. It is likely that it was a “circular letter” to be distributed to the churches in the Roman province of Asia (the western part of modern Turkey). The book is both theologically deep and very practical. It deals with: who Christ is and our blessings in Christ; the nature, means, and purpose of salvation and the nature of the church; and the oneness of Jews and Gentiles in Christ. The second half of the book emphasizes our Christian walk: how we are to demonstrate unity and maturity; the characteristics of being filled with the Holy Spirit; our responsibilities in marriage, the family, and at work; and how we should stand with each other and against the devil and his minions in spiritual warfare.In his salutation (1:1-2), Paul raises, and we look at, the idea of an "apostle," along with the concepts of grace, saints, justification, sanctification, and faithfulness.
Eph 6:1-9-Children; parents; slaves (employees); masters (employers) ECLEA Videos 2023-07-21 | Paul now discusses the responsibilities of children in the family. Paul quotes the Septuagint’s translation of the Fifth of the Ten Commandments (Exod 20:12 see also Deut 5:16). However, in the latter part of the quotation he changes the wording of Exod 20:12 which had talked about prolonging one’s days “in the land.” This is consistent with the fact that the church is no longer located in the nation of Israel, but is composed of people “from every tribe and tongue and people and nation” in the entire world (Rev 5:9). There was nothing in the ancient world that imposed responsibilities on a husband and father analogous to what Paul says in 5:25-33 and 6:4. Unlike in Roman society, Eph 6:4 “is a demand for fathers to act with a view to the best interests of their children. Further, it demands that the dignity and desires of the children be considered, for provocation to anger would result from fathers frustrating the goals and desires of their children, acting only in the perceived best interest of family honor and exploiting the weaker position of their children [as typically was done in Roman society]. Instead of taking advantage of their powerful position, fathers must train their children in the way of the Lord, another reminder of the stewardship given to fathers and of their accountability to the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Gombis 2005: 328-29) Consequently, “The gospel introduced a fresh element into parental responsibility by insisting that the feelings of the child must be taken into consideration. In a society where the father’s authority (patria potestas) was absolute, this represented a revolutionary concept.” (Wood 1978: 81) The economy of the Roman Empire was based on slavery. However, in some important respects there is an analogy (i.e., a significant similarity) between slavery and modern employment: in each case someone (slave/employee) is working for someone else (master/employer). In this passage, Paul is pointing out that, since the obedience of slaves (employees) is “as to Christ” and “as to the Lord,” it is no longer absolute. Paul gives reciprocal instructions and obligations to masters (employers). As was true with respect to husbands and wives and parents and children, these obligations on the masters were unprecedented and were highly counter-cultural. The obligations of the master served to elevate the status of the slave and decrease the authority of the master. Just as Paul reminded slaves that they really were “slaves of Christ” (v. 6), so he reminds masters that they, as well as their slaves, have a true “Master . . . in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.” All of this served as a revolution by indirection against the root of the sin of slavery. Although the abolition of slavery around the world took time, it is because of this Christian ethic—that in Christ Jesus there is neither slave nor free, but we are all one as brothers and sisters—that Christians led the fight against slavery until it was abolished.
Eph 4:1-16-The church should demonstrate unity and maturity ECLEA Videos 2023-07-21 | Chapter 4 marks the beginning of a new section of the book and moves from emphasizing doctrine to emphasizing application. The statement in v. 1, “walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,” is the theme not only of the chapter but of the rest of the book. Church leadership is to be active and is concerned with the leader’s responsibility, not his position. The mission and purpose of the church is found in equipping the saints for the work of the ministry—in other words, producing mature disciples who will actively serve others.
Eph 4:17-5:17-The Christian walk ECLEA Videos 2023-07-21 | Beginning with 4:17 and continuing until almost the end of the book, Paul discusses the specifics of how we can “walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called.” In order to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,” the first thing we need to do is to “lay aside” (or, “put off”) our “old self.” We are no longer to “walk as the Gentiles walk.” This means that we should no longer think of ourselves primarily as whites or blacks, Americans or Africans. Our tribe, occupation, or any other “external” characteristic is simply that: it is “external” to us. Our primary identity is found in Christ—we are Christians first and foremost. Paul then gives us the antidote to living corrupt, futile lives. We not only are to put off the old self, but we also are to “put on the new self” (see also Rom 12:1-2). This is not merely refurbishing our old nature but is a “new self . . . in the likeness of God” which has been “created.” “Be imitators of God” (5:1) summarizes the totality of the ethical demands of Christianity in one imperative “mimic” (Greek = mimētēs), i.e., imitate God. Our Christian ethic is a positive one to please the Lord with whom we are in a close, loving relationship: his character we long to share and his will to understand (5:1, 17). Because we are the light, we are not merely to refrain from evil but are positively to do good by exposing the deeds of darkness (vv. 11-13), walking wisely (v. 15), and redeeming our time (v. 16; see also Col 4:5).
Eph 3:1-21-The mystery; Pauls prayer; and Doxology ECLEA Videos 2023-07-21 | In v. 1, Paul begins by saying, “For this reason.” He returns to that thought in v. 14, “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father.” In vv. 2-13, Paul discusses the “mystery of Christ,” which is the fact that the Gentiles are one with the Jews as members of the body of Christ and heirs of the promises, and his ministry to the Gentiles. Paul’s prayer for the church in vv. 14-19 may be seen as a follow-up or continuation of his prayer for the church in 1:15-19a. In fact, both passages begin with “For this reason.” His prayer builds step-by-step to a glorious conclusion.The conclusion of Paul’s prayer for the church is a doxology (a hymn or statement praising and glorifying God). It brings to a close the first half of the book. In fact, it forms the spiritual high point of the entire book, since the remainder of the book concentrates on practical outworkings for the Christians’ lives. This doxology reveals Paul’s absolute confidence in God: God is able to do far more abundantly beyond everything we ask; he is able to do far more abundantly beyond everything we think. There are no limits on what he can do. Hence, to him alone belongs all the glory forever and ever.
Eph 2:1-10-The nature, means, and purpose of salvation ECLEA Videos 2023-07-21 | In this section, Paul discusses the deep nature, means and purpose of our salvation. Our salvation is nothing less than our passing from death to life. In vv. 1-6 he points out that our salvation is 100% caused by God, who has done this out of his great love, mercy, and grace toward us. We have gone from a state of being walking dead people who by nature were under God’s wrath to being made alive, raised, and seated with Christ in the heavenly places. Verse 7 reveals that God has done this so that in the ages to come he might show us “the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” The means by which we appropriate this salvation is through faith (vv. 8-9). The practical outworking of our salvation is that we now walk in the good works God has prepared for us to do (v. 10).
Eph 1:15-23-Pauls prayer for the church ECLEA Videos 2023-07-21 | In this section Paul gives thanks for the believers and prays that God will give them wisdom, revelation, and knowledge of Him. He specifically prays that they will know the hope of His calling, the riches of the glory of His inheritance, and the surpassing greatness of his power which is available for them. He closes this section by focusing on Christ, who is the greatest demonstration of that power, namely, he has been raised and seated in the heavenly places, far above all other powers and authorities, as head of the church. As was true with vv. 3-14, vv. 15-23 forms one very long sentence in the original Greek.
Eph 2:11-22-The nature of the church ECLEA Videos 2023-07-21 | In this section, vv. 11-12 discuss the natural state of all Gentiles before the coming of Christ. However, these verses also summarize the state of everyone in his or her natural state. Verses 13-22 then describe what is so radical about the gospel and Christianity, especially to Jews. The Jews had been God’s “chosen people”—but no longer. Now the “chosen people” are all people, Jews and Gentiles alike, who have been chosen by God in Christ. Verse 14 says that Christ “broke down the barrier of the dividing wall” which separated Jews from Gentiles. Verse 15 goes further; it says that Christ not only “broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,” but he also “made the two into one new man.” What Christ has done affects relationships both “horizontally” (relationships between people) and “vertically” (the relationship between people and God). Without Christ, there is enmity between people because they emphasize their differences from each other. Now, in Christ, the enmity is eliminated because the people become one; the result is peace (vv. 14-15). In vv. 19-22 the focus is the joining together of God’s people—the relational aspect of the church. These verses show the inclusion of Gentiles into the same body of Christ with Jewish believers by using three metaphors: kingdom; household or family; and building/temple. Common to all three metaphors or descriptions is a fundamental unity: there is one kingdom; one family; one building. Each of the three entities manifests an overall unity despite the diversity of its component parts. Each citizen, family member, or building component is an integral part of the whole. The issue this confronts us with is how can the church demonstrate love and acceptance of each of its members and cause each of its members to utilize his or her gifts and thrive and thereby lead to the health, strength, and well-being of the church as a whole?
Jonah 4:5-11-Gods interaction with Jonah and the plant; the lessons of the book ECLEA Videos 2022-08-23 | This last section brings all of the main issues of the book to a climax. Jonah is primarily concerned about his personal well-being, so God appoints a plant to give him shade. But God then appoints a worm to kill the plant the next morning, and Jonah goes from great happiness to extreme anger. God uses that to confront Jonah (and us) with four fundamental issues: (1) concerning the nature and character of God; (2) concerning our relationship with the world and the things of the world; (3) concerning our relationship with people, especially those "different" from us; and (4) concerning our relationship with God.
Jesus and the sign of Jonah (Matt 12:38-41; Matt 16:1-4; Luke 11:29-32) ECLEA Videos 2022-08-23 | The only prophet Jesus directly compared himself to was Jonah, and the only "sign" he said would be given was the "sign of Jonah." Many people think only of the correspondence between Jonah's three days in the fish and Jesus' three days in the grave. That is part of the sign, but the "sign of Jonah" is far greater and deeper than that, as this lecture discusses.
Jonah 2-Jonahs prayer from inside the fish; he is then vomited onto dry land ECLEA Videos 2022-08-23 | While in the fish, Jonah prays a lengthy prayer. It has been called a "psalm" by many and does have a large number of quotations from or similarities to several of the psalms in the book of Psalms. Jonah's wording in his prayer recognizes that, although God uses secondary agents to accomplish his purposes, God himself is behind what is going on. They prayer shows us that God is everywhere, and we do not have to go to some "special" or "holy" place to be near to and heard by God. Jonah's being vomited by the fish after three days is typologically pointing to the resurrection of Jesus Christ; indeed, Jonah is the only prophet to whom Jesus compared himself.
Jonah 1-Jonah tries to flee to Tarshish, is cast into the sea and swallowed by a great fish ECLEA Videos 2022-08-23 | God told Jonah to Nineveh (east of Israel), but Jonah took a ship heading in the opposite direction to Tarshish (probably in the western Mediterranean). Nevertheless, God was still in charge and brought about a great storm. Ultimately, the sailors throw Jonah into the sea, and the sea became calm. There are lessons for us in this chapter, as all of us try to "run from God" from time to time, but God pursues us, as he pursued Jonah. The chapter also indicates that our faith is not to be simply a private matter for our own edification but is to be used for the good of others.
Jonah: Introduction; author; structure; themes ECLEA Videos 2022-08-23 | Jonah was a prophet from the northern kingdom of Israel, and prophesied during the reign of Jeroboam II (782-753 BC). The information in the book could only have come from Jonah himself, and Jesus accepted the book as historical. The book is intricately structured, which shows the great skill of the author. The book deals with a number of fundamental themes that are central to all people and are central to our faith.
Jonah 3:1-4:4-Jonah proclaims to Nineveh; Nineveh repents; God relents; Jonah is angry ECLEA Videos 2022-08-23 | God calls Jonah a second time to go to Nineveh, and this time Jonah obeys. He proclaims God's message, and the Ninevites believe God and repent. God sees that they have turned from their evil ways and spares the city. This makes Jonah angry enough to want to die. His "prayer" amounts to a bitter diatribe against God, even using God's own character to attack God.
6-4:13-22-The birth of Obed; restoration of Naomi; and the genealogy of king David ECLEA Videos 2022-06-02 | This final lecture deals with the conclusion of the story. Boaz and Ruth marry and give birth to Obed, the grandfather of king David. Verses 13-17 focus on Naomi's restoration to wholeness, and bring the story full circle back to (and in contrast with) the beginning. Lessons for Christians who might draw a false conclusion are discussed. Verses 18-22 provide a coda to the book--a ten-generation genealogy leading to king David. David, however, is not an end in himself. Because of the Davidic Covenant, David points beyond himself to the greater son of David, the Messiah, Jesus Christ. This is discussed in some detail, and the conclusion of the book, and the conclusion we should draw, is also discussed.
5-4:1-12-Boaz redeems Naomis property and acquires Ruth ECLEA Videos 2022-06-02 | In this scene, Boaz goes to the city gate where he meets with the nearer kinsman and the city elders to state his case regarding the redemption of Naomi's property and the necessity to marry Ruth. The nearer kinsman initially agrees to redeem the property, but he declines when he learns he must marry Ruth the Moabitess. Boaz thereupon agrees to redeem the land and marry Ruth. The fact that Ruth was a Moabitess is crucial to the story, and the lecture discusses the implications of the four women listed in Matthew's account of Jesus' genealogy--Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba. Two certainly are, and the other two probably are, Gentiles. They are in the genealogy for a reason: Jesus the Messiah is savior of Jew and Gentile alike; and tribalism, racism, and ethnic discrimination is absolutely contrary to the gospel.
4-3:1-18-Ruth proposes to Boaz ECLEA Videos 2022-06-01 | Ruth's meeting with Boaz and his kindness to her gave Naomi hope. She,who had been bitter and passive up to now, begins thinking of others and comes up with a plan. Her plan involves Ruth's going to the threshing floor at night and symbolically proposing marriage to Boaz. There is risk to this plan, but, again, we see God's hand "behind the scenes." Boaz agrees to Ruth's proposal, but there is a snag: a nearer kinsman (i.e., who by law and custom would be the required go'el) exists; thus, the nearer kinsman would have the first obligation to redeem Naomi's property and marry Ruth in order to restore clan wholeness. The chapter there fore ends in suspense.
3-2:1-23-Ruth and Boaz meet ECLEA Videos 2022-06-01 | In chapter 3, Ruth and Boaz meet. We learn more about the character of Ruth and learn about the character of Boaz. We see how God works through seemingly "natural" means and "coincidental" or "accidental" circumstances to orchestrate events in accordance with his will. The importance of work is discussed, and the concepts of the go'el (kinsman-redeeemer) and levirate marriage are introduced.
2-1:6-22-Naomi returns to Bethlehem with Ruth ECLEA Videos 2022-06-01 | After the death of her husband and sons in Moab, Naomi decides to return to her native Bethlehem. Her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, accompany her. Naomi persuades Orpah to return to her home in Moab, but Ruth attaches herself to Naomi and becomes a follower of Yahweh. The important concept of hesed (relationship-based loving commitment) is introduced. Naomi's grief makes her very bitter, with the result that she cannot see God's providential involvement with her. Lessons for Christians and the church are discussed.
1-Introduction; 1:1-5-The setting, characters, and tragedy ECLEA Videos 2022-06-01 | This lecture introduces the book of Ruth: its author, date, and placement in the OT. We discuss the themes of the book and its very interesting structure. We then discuss verses 1-5 which describes the family tragedy, which sets the stage for the rest of the book.
1 Pet 2:11-3:6-Living righteous lives: all believers; servants; wives ECLEA Videos 2022-03-27 | The next two major sections of the epistle, 2:11-4:11 and 4:12-5:11 focus on living righteous lives in all our situations and circumstances. Each major section begins with "Beloved" and ends with "Amen." In this lecture, Peter begins by giving instructions for all believers about how, in light of our salvation which he discussed in detail in 1:3-2:10, we should live as "resident aliens" in the world. He then gives instructions to specific groups within the church, beginning with servants and then wives.
1 Peter: Introduction and 1 Pet 1:1-2-Salutation ECLEA Videos 2022-03-27 | 1 Peter was written by the apostle Peter, probably in AD 62-63. The themes of salvation, Christian living (i.e., applying our salvation), the church, suffering, and important aspects of the person and work of Jesus Christ are prominent in 1 Peter. Salvation is discussed from God’s perspective, from our perspective, historically, theologically, and in relation to how we live as Christians (i.e., practically). Our salvation should affect us mentally and behaviorally. Peter addresses how all Christians should live and gives specific instructions to different groups within the church, including servants, wives, husbands, elders, and younger believers. He discusses different aspects of suffering and our individual and corporate responses to suffering. Each of these themes is viewed from different angles, they are all interrelated, and each one is tied to the person and work of Christ. Peter frequently quotes from or alludes to the OT, and he sees the church as the new, true, spiritual Israel. In this lecture, we give an overview of the book and of Peter, the author. We also discuss vv. 1-2 which, although they are his opening salutation, are loaded with meaning, including the fact that we (the church) are "elect," are "resident aliens," are God's new, true, spiritual Israel, and that our status as such is through the work of each person of the Trinity: Father,Son, and Holy Spirit.
