Dominion definition – in the Bible, who has dominion of the earth? Who should have it? Is it going to change? Traditional Legal Model: While man was given dominion over the plants and animals, since God is all-powerful and created this earth, He has ultimate control over it and can be said to be responsible […]
The cross (the crucifixion) is viewed as a symbol of suffering for sin and of victory over sin. But will we ever fully understand that event which has so much meaning to it? There are quite different ways to understand it. Traditional Legal Model – the cross was where God’s wrath against sin was satisfied […]
“Fire,” as the word is used in the Bible, is very misunderstood. “Fire” is used in a variety of ways in the Bible. Here, we are most concerned about those that might impact our understanding of the character of God. The main distinction to be made is whether or not God uses fire to harm, […]
Revelation 7:3 Sealed? What does Biblical sealing mean? How does that relate to being saved? Do you have to be sealed to be saved? Is the sealing only for a special purpose? Traditional Legal Model – Those sealed are distinguished as being in a special relationship to God – more consecrated, devoted to His service, […]
“Born again” is a popular term among many Christians sometimes used almost as a status symbol of their spiritual attainment. But when and how is such a person really reborn? Traditional Legal Model – being born again applies to people who have accepted Jesus as Savior with the understanding that they are sinners subject to […]
Works have different purposes (perhaps even subconsciously) in the minds of those following the two different gospel models. Traditional Legal Model – For people with the mindset of working their way to heaven it is to display character, to gain status, to bolster their pride, ultimately to earn heaven. “But all their works they do […]
Eternal, everlasting and forever are words of concern in relation to the character of God because they are commonly associated with never-ending punishment of the lost. This makes God to be very unjust – to punish forever the sins of a few decades of life – and discredits His character in many minds. Traditional Legal […]
Has God ever been backed into a corner? This will be the topic in a live discussion session coming soon. Not sure if it will be this week or not – still waiting for new computer. I invite your feedback – use the form at the bottom to give: your opinion examples you can think […]
“It was of the Lord” is often used to pin responsibility on God for actions that do not reflect a God of love. Even when the Bible itself says that, we must consider idiomatic expression, the context and what the Bible says elsewhere about God’s character. Traditional Legal Model: “It was of the Lord” or God’s […]
A jealous God (as we understand jealousy) implies a need or desire in God that He cannot fulfill. In many verses that emotion in God is connected to idolatry: “For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:” (Exo 34:14) Traditional Legal Model: God wants to […]