The gospel invented by the Protestant Reformers and espoused by reformed evangelical Christians today is the gospel of Sola Fide (or Faith Alone).[1] The Sola Fide Gospel teaches that the only condition/obligation of salvation is faith in Christ. Hence the name, Sola Fide or Faith Alone. That being said, this view also believes that such […]
Marriage Covenant Gospel: the biblical solution to the gospel of Sola Fide (Part 1)
The gospel invented by the Protestant Reformers and espoused by reformed evangelical Christians today is the gospel of Sola Fide (or Faith Alone).[1] The Sola Fide Gospel teaches that the only condition/obligation of salvation is faith in Christ. Hence the name, Sola Fide or Faith Alone. That being said, this view also believes that such […]
2 Peter Abstract – Part 2: Remember the Gospel!
Theme: REMEMBER THE GOSPEL! 2nd Peter represents the Apostle Peter’s 2nd epistle. Written shortly after the first, the distinguishing mark of this letter is not only its focus on the gospel, but its efficient and effective presentation. In this respect, Peter does two things. First, he reminds us of what the (true) gospel teaches (1:1-5), […]
The Greatest Commandment
Matthew 5 – Part 8: Old Testament Authoritative for New Covenant
8. There are many today who think that the obligation to obey the Old Testament Scriptures has been removed (in part or whole) as essential to salvation for the New Covenant Christian[1]. What they fail to consider is not only the content, clarity, and consequences of Jesus’ teaching in Mat 5:17-20, but also that: 8.1. […]
Matthew 5.2 – Conditional Identity
6. Jesus asserts that the identity we have gained as God’s people must be maintained through productivity and public witness (again Exo 19:4-6 = Israel’s identity also needed to be maintained – i.e. it was conditional): 6.1. (13) In the ancient world, salt was used as fertilizer for the soil/earth (“earth” = th/j gh/j = […]
Matthew Introduction – Part 14: The Saving Gospel is a Marriage Covenant
6.4.3. What it is: A marriage covenant The plan of salvation communicated throughout the Bible’s redemptive history is always the same (e.g. Heb 8:5-6 = the “DNA” of God’s redemptive plan remains the same). It involves people entering into a marriage covenant with God[1]. 6.4.3.1. Consider: 6.4.3.1.1. God’s salvation always includes a covenant (Adamic = […]
Matthew Introduction – Part 13: The saving Gospel is a Marriage Covenant
6.4.3. What it is: A marriage covenant. The plan of salvation communicated throughout the Bible’s redemptive history is always the same (e.g. Heb 8:5-6 = the “DNA” of God’s redemptive plan remains the same). It involves people entering into a marriage covenant with God[1]. 6.4.3.1. Consider: 6.4.3.1.1. God’s salvation always includes a covenant (Adamic = […]
Matthew Introduction – Part 8: Realize that Jesus (not Paul) is the author of the Christian religion
(How?) should we read, study and interpret Matthew’s gospel? There is no reading of Scripture that is not- to some degree, also an attempt at interpreting the Scripture. This becomes obvious once we realize the Bible does not provide its own commentary (or study notes). As such, the question which must be considered before endeavoring […]
Matthew Introduction – Part 4: Why did Matthew NOT write his gospel?
5. (Why?) did Matthew NOT write his gospel? Traditionally, inquiry into the author’s purpose is stated in the positive versus the negative as it is here. However, this particular dialectic approach to Matthew’s gospel has enormous value – especially when attempting to “root out” modern misconceptions about Jesus, His ministry or the Christian Faith in […]