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orthodoxadventure · 2 months

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The άνάλαβος (analavos) is the distinctive garment of a monk or a nun tonsured into the highest grade of Orthodox monasticism, the Great Schema, and is adorned with the instruments of the Passion of Christ. It takes its name from the Greek αναλαμβάνω (“to take up”), serving as a constant reminder to the one who wears it that he or she must “take up his cross daily” (Luke 9:23). The ornately-plaited Crosses that cover the analavos, the polystavrion (πολυσταύριον, from πολύς, “many,” and σταυρός, “Cross”) — a name often, though less accurately, also applied to the analavos — reminds the monastic that he or she is “crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20).

With regard to each image on the analavos, the rooster represents “the cock [that] crowed” (Matthew 26:74; Mark 14:68 Luke 22:60; John 18:27) after Saint Peter had “denied thrice” His Master and Lord (John 13:38).

The pillar represents the column to which Pilate bound Christ “when he scourged Him” (Mark 15:15) “by Whose stripes we were healed” (Isaiah 53:5; I Peter 2:24).

The wreath garlanding the Cross represents the “crown of thorns” (Matthew 27:29; Mark 15:17; John 19:2) that “the soldiers platted” (John 19:2) and “put upon the head” (Matthew 27:29) of “God our King of old” (Psalm 73:13), Who freed man from having to contend against “thorns and thistles in the sweat of his brow” (Genesis 3:18-19).

The upright post and the traverse beam represent the stipes and the patibulum that formed “the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6:14), upon which “all day long He stretched forth His hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people” (Isaiah 65:2; Romans 10:21).

The four spikes at the center of the Cross and the hammer beneath its base represent the “nails” (John 20:25) and hammer with which “they pierced” (Psalm 21:16; John 19:37) “His hands and His feet” (Luke 24:40). when they “lifted up from the earth” (John 12:32) Him Who “blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us by nailing it to His Cross” (Colossians 2:14).

The base upon which the Cross stands represents “the place, which is called 'Calvary' (Luke 23:33), or 'Golgotha', that is to say, the Place of the Skull” (Matthew 27:33), “where they crucified Him” (John 19:18) Who “wrought salvation in the midst of the earth” (Psalm 73:13).

The skull and crossbones represent “the first man Adam” (I Corinthians 15:45), who by tradition “returned unto the ground” (Genesis 3:19) at this very spot, the reason that this place of execution, “full of dead men’s bones” (Matthew 23:27) became the place where “the last Adam was made a quickening spirit” (I Corinthians 15:45).

The plaque on top of the Cross represents the titulus, the “title” (John 19:19-20), with “the superscription of His accusation” (Mark 15:26), which “Pilate wrote” (John 19:19) “and set up over His head” (Matthew 27:37); however, instead of “Jesus of Nazareth the king of the Jews” (John 19:19), which “was written over Him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew” (Luke 23:38), the three languages being an allusion to the Three Hypostases “of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19), this titulus reads, “The King of Glory” (Psalm 23:7-10), “for had they known it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (I Corinthians 2:8).

The reed represents the “hyssop” (John 19:29) upon which was put “a sponge full of vinegar” (Mark 15:36), which was then “put to His mouth” (John 19:29) when in His “thirst they gave Him vinegar to drink” (Psalm 68:21), Him of Whom it was said that “all wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth” (Luke 4:22).

The lance represents the “spear [that] pierced His side”; “and forthwith came there out blood and water” (John 19:34) from Him Who “took one of Adam's ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof" (Genesis 2:21) and Who “washed us from our sins in His own blood” (Revelation 1:5).

The plaque at the bottom of the Cross represents the suppedaneum of Christ, “His footstool” (Psalm 98:5), “the place where His feet have stood” (Psalm 131:7). It is slanted because, according to one tradition, at the moment when “Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the spirit” (Mark 15:37), He allowed a violent death spasm to convulse His legs, dislodging His footrest in such a manner that one end pointed upwards, indicating that the soul of the penitent thief, Saint Dismas, “the one on His right hand” (Mark 15:27) would be “carried up into Heaven” (Luke 24:51), while the other end, pointed downwards, indicated that the soul of the impenitent thief, Gestas, “the other on His left” (Mark 15:27), would “be thrust down to Hell” (Luke 10:15), showing that all of us, “the evil and the good, the just and the unjust” (Matthew 5:45), “are weighed in the balance” (Ecclesiasticus 21:25) of the Cross of Christ.

The ladder and the pincers beneath the base of the Cross represent the means of deposition by which Saint Joseph of Arimathea, “a rich man” (Matthew 27:57) who “begged for the body of Jesus” (Matthew 27:58; Luke 23:52), “took it down” (Luke 23:53), so that as in body He descended from the Cross, so in soul “He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth” (Ephesians 4:9), “by which also He went and preached unto the spirits in prison” (I Peter 3:19).

Through these instruments, “the Cross of Christ” (I Corinthians 1:17: Galatians 6:12; Philippians 3:18) became the “Tree of Life” (Genesis 2:9; 3:22, 24; Proverbs 3:18, 11:30; 13:12; 15:4; Revelation 2:7; 22:2,14), by which the Lord Jesus reified His words that, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live, and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die” (John 11:25-26).

[source]

#Christianity #Orthodox Christianity #Monasticism #Great Schema #Orthodoxy

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officialyourdailyinspiration · 12 days

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GOD SAVES THE MEN THAT DO NOT SEEK HIM

"I was found of them that sought Me not, I was made manifest to them that asked not after Me." ~ Isaiah 65:1

"Oh, wonder of wonders! It is mercy indeed when God saves a seeker; but how much greater mercy when He seeks the lost himself! Mark the parable of Jesus Christ concerning the lost sheep; it does not run thus: "A certain man had a hundred sheep, and one of them did go astray. And he tarried at home, and lo, the sheep came back, and he received it joyfully and said to his friends, rejoice, for the sheep that I have lost is come back." No; he went after the sheep: it never would have come after Him; it would have wandered farther and farther away. He went after it; over hills of difficulty, down valleys of despondency He pursued its wandering feet, and at last He laid hold of it; He did not drive it before him, He did not lead it, but He carried it himself all the way, and when He brought it home He did not say, "The sheep has come back " but "I have found the sheep which was lost." (Luke 15:4-6)

MEN DO NOT SEEK GOD FIRST; GOD SEEKS THEM FIRST; and if any of you are seeking Him today, it is because He first sought you."

~ Charles Spurgeon 1834-1892

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theprinceofpeacesposts · 16 days

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God has a plan to provide for your needs

"You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.” 1 Kings 17:4 NIV

Our God is a loving father who knows what His children need. By his divine abilities, he can sustain us in different situations. No environment or condition can be an obstacle to stop him from delivering your needs.

When drought struck Israel in the times of Elijah. God had prepared a plan to sustain his servant. The word of God says in Isaiah 65:13 "Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed"

Don't be intimidated by what is happening around you. In the midst of that situation, God has a plan for you. Don't count yourself among those who are heading towards destruction. The Bible says, "But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition;" Heb 10:39. With God on our side, we will overcome every challenge.

Let us see what God told Elijah during drought and famine in Israel "Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah: “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.” 1Kings 17:2-4

From these verses, I want you to know these three things:

1. God asked Elijah to leave where he was. "Leave here" When God tells you to move, obey him. Sometimes, God's plan can not be executed where you are. You can see this also in Gen 12:1-2

2. He also told him, "You will drink from the brook." A river here signifies supply abundance and life. God can not take you to dry places. Whenever he takes you, He will provide you with abundance and life.

3. Lastly - "The Ravens," the Bible says, "I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there." There is much to say about why God used ravens because according to the law, ravens are unclean birds, but God used them anyway. Today, just know this, Sometimes your help will not come from the people you expected. God can use anyone to help you.

Prayer: Father, help me to trust and obey everything you tell me because you have prepared a good plan for me. Teach me how to hear and follow the voice of your Holy Spirit. Amen

#spirituality #biblequotes #bible reflection #christian faith #christian inspiration #god #bibleverse #bibledaily #believe #christian tumblr

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hopethroughscriptureministries · 24 days

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Title: "Unveiling the Hope of Prophecy: A Journey Through Biblical Revelation"

Introduction: Join us on another captivating exploration of biblical prophecy as we uncover the hope and promise it holds for believers. Delve into the pages of scripture with us as we unravel the mysteries of prophecy and discover the unshakable assurance it brings.

Scripture Passage: Revelation 21:1-5 (NIV) Cross References: Isaiah 65:17-25, 2 Peter 3:13, Romans 8:18-25

Commentary: Revelation 21 paints a breathtaking picture of the new heaven and new earth, where God will dwell with His people, wiping away every tear and making all things new. This vision offers hope and assurance to believers, reminding us of the glorious future that awaits us in Christ.

Isaiah 65 provides a glimpse into the coming kingdom of God, where there will be joy, peace, and prosperity beyond imagination. It speaks of a time when God will create a new heavens and a new earth, where His people will dwell in everlasting righteousness.

In 2 Peter 3, Peter encourages believers to look forward to the day of the Lord, when the heavens will disappear with a roar and the elements will be destroyed by fire. Yet, in the midst of this destruction, there is hope for a new heaven and new earth, where righteousness dwells.

Romans 8 reminds us that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to us. Creation itself groans in anticipation of the redemption that will come with the revealing of the sons of God.

Application Questions:

How does the hope of prophecy influence your perspective on current challenges and trials?

In what ways does the promise of a new heaven and new earth inspire you to live with hope and purpose?

How can understanding biblical prophecy deepen your faith and trust in God's sovereign plan?

What practical steps can you take to share the hope of prophecy with others and encourage them in their faith journey?

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apocrypals · 1 year

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Previously, on Apocrypals part 5: The Fifth One

As we begin our sixth (!) calendar year of Apocrypals, here is a list of the texts we have covered so far on the show in case you want to read along or catch up. They’re arranged in a way that appeases my systematic nature.

Tanakh/Old Testament:

Genesis (episodes 16-20)

Exodus (episodes 33 and 35)

Leviticus (episode 59)

Numbers (episode 62)

Deuteronomy (episode 65)

Joshua (episode 73)

Judges (episode 80)

Ruth (episode 45)

1 Samuel (episode 89)

2 Samuel (episode 90-91)

1 Kings (episode 99)

2 Kings (episode 106)

Esther (episode 37)

Job (episode 101)

Ecclesiastes (episode 52)

Song of Songs (episode 34)

Isaiah (episode 4)

Jeremiah (episode 43-44)

Lamentations (episode 48)

Ezekiel (episode 55-56)

Daniel (episode 2)

Hosea (episode 108)

Jonah (episode 31)

Micah (episode 74)

Nahum (episode 74)

Deuterocanon/capital-A Apocrypha:

Tobit (episode 13)

Judith (episode 22)

Greek Additions to Esther (episode 37)

1 Maccabees (episode 27)

2 Maccabees (episode 28)

3 Maccabees (episode 53)

4 Maccabees (episode 78)

The Prayer of Azariah aka the Song of the Three Holy Children (episode 2)

Susanna (episode 2)

Bel and the Dragon (episode 2)

The Prayer of Manasseh (episode 6)

New Testament:

Matthew (episodes 8-9)

Mark (episode 7)

Luke (episode 10)

John (episode 11-12)

Acts of the Apostles (episode 1)

Romans (episode 5)

1 Corinthians (episode 25)

2 Corinthians (episode 42)

Galatians (episode 72)

Ephesians (episode 81)

Hebrews (episode 104)

1 John (episode 49)

2 John (episode 49)

3 John (episode 49)

Revelation (episode 50)

Pseudepigrapha (Jewish apocrypha):

The Testament of Solomon (episode 24)

The Story of Ahikar (episode 14)

The Ascension of Isaiah (episode 6)

1 Enoch (episode 39-40)

2 Enoch (episode 61)

3 Enoch (episode 86-87)

Jubilees (episodes 82 and 83)

The Letter of Aristeas (episode 70)

The War of the Sons of Light Against the Sons of Darkness (episode 71)

Joseph and Aseneth (episode 93)

New Testament apocrypha:

The Protevangelium aka Infancy Gospel of James (episode 29)

The Acts of Pilate/Gospel of Nicodemus (episode 23)

Mors Pilati/Death of Pilate (episode 23)

The Acts of Paul and Thecla (episode 22)

The Acts of Peter (episode 3)

The Acts of Peter and Paul (episode 3)

The Acts of Andrew and Matthias (episode 60)

The Acts of Thomas and His Wonderworking Skin (episode 66)

The Life of Xanthippe, Polyxena, and Rebecca (episode 57)

Questions of Bartholomew (episode 41)

Resurrection of Jesus Christ by Bartholomew (episode 41)

The Book of Bartholomew (episode 67)

Acts of John (episode 46)

The Acts of Andrew (episode 97)

Syriac Infancy Gospel (episode 47)

Infancy Gospel of Thomas (episode 54)

Infancy Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew (episode 79)

The Adoration of the Magi (2020 Christmas bonus episode)

The History of Joseph the Carpenter (episode 103)

The First Apocryphal Apocalypse of John (episode 68)

The Second Apocryphal Apocalypse of John (episode 68)

The Third Apocryphal Apocalypse of John (episode 68)

The Apocalypse of Peter (episode 75)

The Apocalypse of Paul (episode 95)

The Gospel of Philip (episode 92)

The Gospel of Mary (episode 92)

The Gospel of Jesus’s Wife (episode 92)

The Gospel of Judas (episode 100)

The Greater Questions of Mary (episode Secret 69)

The Golden Legend of Jacobus de Voragine:

The Life of Saint Nicholas (episode 26)

The Life of Saint Lucy (episode 26)

The Life of Saint Christopher (episode 15)

The Life of Saint Benedict (episode 15)

excerpts from The Passion of the Lord (episode 23)

The Life of Saint Sebastian (episode 58)

The Life of Saint Blaise (episode 58)

The Life of Saint Agatha (episode 58)

The Life of Saint Roch (episode 63)

The Life of Saint Catherine of Alexandria (episode 77)

The Life of Saint Barbara (episode 77)

The Life of Saint Dunstan (episode 85)

The Life of Mary Magdalene (episode 94)

The Life of Saint Martha of Bethany (episode 102)

The Life of Saint Margaret of Antioch (episode 102)

Other:

Historia Trium Regum/The Legend of the Three Kings by John of Hildesheim (episode 30)

Muirchu’s Life of Saint Patrick (episode 36)

The Life of Saint Guinefort (episode 63)

The Life of Saint Mary of Egypt (episode 69)

The Life of Saint Pelagia (episode 69)

The Life of Saint Martin by Sulpicius Severus (episode 76)

The Life of Saint Columba (episode 84)

The Life of Saint Wilgefortis (episode 94)

Lives of cephalophoric saints (bonus episode cephalo4)

Stories of the Baal Shem Tov from The Golden Mountain (episode 96)

More stories of the Baal Shem Tov from The Golden Mountain (episode 107)

Solomon and Ashmedai (bonus episode double chai)

Listener questions (episode 32)

Bible trivia questions (episode 38)

Halloween-themed Chick tracts (episode 51)

Christmas-themed Chick tracts (episode 98)

Bible Adventures and the Wisdom Tree catalogue of video games (episode 64)

The Da Vinci Code, the movie (episode 88)

Guess the Bible character from Persona 5 (bonus episode Persona 5)

El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron (episode 105)

You can find links to all these episodes with show notes and more on the Apocrypals wiki

#apocrypals #podcast #podcasts #religion #bible #christianity #judaism #apocrypha #old testament #new testament #hagiography

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machinimatournament · 1 year

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In the meantime, here's the official results for round one!

SIDE A:

1. In what must have been a hard choice based on people in the reblogs apologising, Simon Henrikssonn beats out Ryan Sullivan 62:38

2. In the battle between Freeman-adjacent guys, John Freeman beats Vincent Stark 73:27

3. I forced you to pick a cop and you managed, with Dave beating Jenkins 70:30

4. In the cut-throat world of gmod high school Deuu Dino loses to Elliot 84:16!

5. Silly guys with secrets face off next and Player beats Flim 65:35

6. In the MOST VOTED ON poll in the tourney, the Medic beats the Storyteller 89:11!!!

7. CNP isn't down for the count yet as Peter Cola defeats the granddaddy of all machinima characters 62:38

8. And as far as reimaginings of beloved characters go, Chief beats Bella 59:41

SIDE B:

1. Pitting teammate against teammate, Rookie beats Flynt 67:33

2. It looked to be going the other way at first, but runescape fans showed their support and decided that Guthix is a better silly guy than Rook at 71:29

3. In the doubles match, underdogs Seth and Barry beat Isaiah and Bryan 63:37

4. Benson wins this match 71:29, leaving Harold with as many wins in this tourney as he has in Halo 5

5. Maylor's fatherly charm beats out the Zombie Slayers chaotic energy 53:47

6. Freemind quips his way to the next round, leaving poor Cait Sith behind 73:27

7. Richards glitter armour can't save him from multiple G-Men, who defeat him 77:23

8. and in a nailbiter of a match, Anthony beats Aphmau 58:42

UPCOMING POLLS:

SIDE A:

1. Simon Henrikssonn VS John Freeman

2. Dave VS Elliot

3. Player VS Medic

4. Peter Cola VS Chief

SIDE B:

1. Rookie VS Guthix

2. Seth and Barry VS Benson

3. Maylor VS Gordon Freeman

4. The Gman Squad VS Anthony

some of these matchups have me properly stressed lol. I don't want them to fight ;-;

#character tournament #bracket tournament #character poll #tumblr tournament

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biblegumchewontheword · 2 months

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Books of the Bible

Here is a detailed list of the 66 books of the Bible, divided by the Old and New Testaments, along with their divisions and categories:

**Old Testament:**

**Pentateuch (5 books):**

1. Genesis

2. Exodus

3. Leviticus

4. Numbers

5. Deuteronomy

**Historical Books (12 books):**

6. Joshua

7. Judges

8. Ruth

9. 1 Samuel

10. 2 Samuel

11. 1 Kings

12. 2 Kings

13. 1 Chronicles

14. 2 Chronicles

15. Ezra

16. Nehemiah

17. Esther

**Poetry/Wisdom Books (5 books):**

18. Job

19. Psalms

20. Proverbs

21. Ecclesiastes

22. Song of Solomon

**Major Prophets (5 books):**

23. Isaiah

24. Jeremiah

25. Lamentations

26. Ezekiel

27. Daniel

**Minor Prophets (12 books):**

28. Hosea

29. Joel

30. Amos

31. Obadiah

32. Jonah

33. Micah

34. Nahum

35. Habakkuk

36. Zephaniah

37. Haggai

38. Zechariah

39. Malachi

**New Testament:**

**Gospels (4 books):**

40. Matthew

41. Mark

42. Luke

43. John

**History (1 book):**

44. Acts

**Pauline Epistles (13 books):**

45. Romans

46. 1 Corinthians

47. 2 Corinthians

48. Galatians

49. Ephesians

50. Philippians

51. Colossians

52. 1 Thessalonians

53. 2 Thessalonians

54. 1 Timothy

55. 2 Timothy

56. Titus

57. Philemon

**General Epistles (8 books):**

58. Hebrews

59. James

60. 1 Peter

61. 2 Peter

62. 1 John

63. 2 John

64. 3 John

65. Jude

**Apocalyptic (1 book):**

66. Revelation

This list represents the traditional order and grouping of the books of the Bible in most Christian denominations.

These are the 66 books that make up the Bible.

Title: The Significance of Each Book of the Bible

Introduction:

The Bible is a collection of 66 books that together form the inspired Word of God. Each book has its own unique message, themes, and significance that contribute to the overall story of God's redemption and love for humanity. Let's explore the importance of each book of the Bible.

Lesson Points:

1. The Old Testament:

- Genesis: The book of beginnings, detailing creation, the fall, and the establishment of God's covenant with His people.

- Exodus: The story of the Israelites' liberation from Egypt and the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai.

- Psalms: A collection of songs and prayers that express a range of human emotions and provide a guide for worship.

- Proverbs: Wisdom literature that offers practical advice for living a righteous and wise life.

- Isaiah: Prophecies about the coming Messiah and God's plan of salvation.

2. The New Testament:

- Matthew: Emphasizes Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the establishment of the kingdom of God.

- Acts: Chronicles the early spread of the Gospel and the growth of the early church.

- Romans: Explains the doctrine of justification by faith and the implications of salvation through Christ.

- Corinthians: Addresses issues within the church and provides practical guidance for Christian living.

- Revelation: Offers apocalyptic visions of the end times, the victory of Christ, and the establishment of the new heaven and earth.

3. Themes and Messages:

- Each book of the Bible contributes to the overarching themes of God's love, redemption, forgiveness, and salvation for all humanity.

- Together, these books provide a complete narrative of God's work in the world and His plan for His people.

Application:

- Take time to explore and study each book of the Bible, seeking to understand its unique message and significance.

- Reflect on how the themes and stories in the Bible can impact your own life and faith journey.

- Consider how the teachings and examples in the Bible can shape your beliefs and actions as a follower of Christ.

Conclusion:

The books of the Bible are not just separate entities but are interconnected parts of the larger story of God's redemption and love for humanity. Each book has its own importance and contributes to the overall message of God's plan for salvation. May we approach the study of the Bible with reverence and openness to the wisdom and guidance it offers for our lives.

#biblegum #Books of the Bible #bible study #bible scripture #Bible lessons

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xgenesisrei · 7 months

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Liberation’s Option

Ever bought those nice finds in rummage shops for a cheaper price? But once you unpack it at home, you suddenly realize that it was already without the full package of the original? I myself once found a good pair of sneakers ‘on sale’ but minus the original shoestrings. Obviously, it made me think twice whether I should settle for the bargain and just live with what was lacking. In today’s marketplace of Christianity, one would also encounter similar versions of theological goodies on sale. The price tag may come appealing but what you might get is wanting upon closer inspection.

A case for example, do a careful re-reading of the Bible and it shall make today’s popular offer of salvation, i.e., “your soul’s chance of migrating to heaven,” look like no different from those rundown goods on a markdown sale.[1] This blunt comparison has to be made considering that God’s plan of redemption, that is, his mission of renewing all that He has made, includes the planet, its people, and their pattern of life. That is, today’s devastated creation, polluted rivers and corrupted human beings alike, including the deteriorating cultures and civilizations that thrive within it are all objects of God’s liberating mission. [2]

I came upon this observation upon realizing that the Bible speaks of salvation as the full restoration of all aspects of life in the world, exactly as God has sketched it from the very beginning.[3] A blueprint of this plan can be found in the initial pages of the book of Genesis.[4] In it, the writer presents a picture of a life wherein God and humanity were happily together, in a beautiful dwelling place, and with a pattern of relationship marked by trust, nurture, and joy. The Hebrews of old have a term for this particular way of life characterized by remarkable harmony – ‘shalom.’ Repeatedly, their prophets speak of a dream and a hope that is no less beautiful (see for example: Isaiah 65:17-25, Jeremiah 31, Micah 4).

Shalom is simply the Old Testament’s planetary vision for what in the New Testament was often referred to as God’s gift of ‘salvation.’ But make no mistake about it, the apostles Peter, John, and Paul have in mind a notion of redemption that is as equally comprehensive as that of Isaiah and Jeremiah.

The Victory of Christ. For an instance, Apostle Paul in Colossians 1:20 speaks of how God, through Christ and by His work on the cross, is reconciling “all things” in heaven and on earth back to Himself.[5] In this verse, the apostle to the Gentiles was alerting his readers at the city of Colossae that until then all of these things have been snatched away from God. And indeed, for a time, the whole world was in the clutches of the Evil One who has sought to steal all that was in it, drain it of its life, and ultimately cause its destruction (John 10:10). But this is not because this fiendish being has proven to be stronger than God and has actually prevailed against Him. No! It is simply because he has effectively triumphed over creation’s designated ruler and steward -human beings. To put it in contemporary terms, the Evil One laid siege on God’s earth, held its human rulers and inhabitants hostage, and terrorized what he was able to capture with his flag firmly planted in their hearts and homeland.[6]

How such terrorism of God’s creation happened is a loop that repeats itself throughout human history. But Genesis 1-3 unlock to us the internal mechanism of how this subtle infiltration works out. It tells a story of how the Serpent tricked the newly weds Adam and Eve and managed to subdue them under his will. By listening to the Enemy’s lies, the couple threw away God’s wonderful plan for their lives which is to be the world’s rightful ruler and caretaker (Gen. 1:27-27, 2:15). In effect, they exchanged God’s royal image in them (as prince and princess) for a lowly status of a refugee and a vagabond. Thereafter, the Evil One and his minions presented themselves as ‘gods’ and ‘rulers’ of this world (II Cor. 4:4, John 12:31, Ephesians 2:2). Later on, the Evil One even got the nerve to bribe God’s own Son in the flesh with all of the world’s riches and glory (which he claims to be his) in exchange for an undivided allegiance to him (Matt. 4:8-10).

But God’s Son knew better. He knew that His Father is launching a take-over project. That he was sent with a messianic mission of reclaiming control of all that which his Father has created, away from the clutches of the Evil One, and restore it to its rightful rulers. As John understands it, God’s Son was sent for the specific purpose of destroying the devil’s work (I John 3:8). Apostle Paul in Colossians 2:15 talks of how God’s Son has disarmed the Evil One and his minions of their powers. In his letter to the church at Ephesus (Eph. 4:8-10), he added how God’s Messiah has so effectively triumphed over them and that he succeeded in giving back to human beings their royal identities (Eph. 2:6, Col. 3:4). By a swift execution of this covert operation, the power of the Evil One has been broken, or as CS Lewis puts it in his famous novel, the grim spell of dark magic casted by the Great White Witch has been undone, at Aslan’s slaying at the Stone Table, and thereafter, Narnia and the Narnians were free again.[7]

Liberating the Planet. Apostle Paul writes in Romans 8 that the natural environment “groans in pain” as its await its liberation from decay in as much as humanity struggles to be set free from whatever it is that enslaves it whether selfishness, sickness, or even death itself.[8] The outpouring of God’s Spirit in people’s hearts (Ezek. 36:25-27), and the remarkable personal and social transformation that comes with it, is the earth’s assurance that one day it shall also see its own light of day. That is, liberated from the curse of devastation, the earthly realm shall once again be in full bloom. Apostle Peter speaks of God’s purifying fire that shall render the old heavens and old earth no more to usher in a new world (II Peter 3:12-13). The final picture was painted with more vivid details by Apostle John in his apocalyptic book (aka the Revelation). In its final chapters, he wrote down his vision of a new city of Jerusalem coming down from the heavens into a new earth. And he saw God dwelling with human beings once more in a place where there shall be no more tears, or pain, or sickness (Rev. 21:1-4).

Liberating its People. It is with this planetary renewal that the New Testament also pictures the promise of our bodily resurrection.[9] God’s work of transforming human beings into a new creation (Col. 3:10) does not stop with a renewal of personal morality and social relationships (Col. 3:5-11), not even with the security of one’s soul (I Peter 1:9). It includes, perhaps, most importantly, a promise of gaining a physical body free from imperfections and decay and death itself, exactly as the one Christ himself carried with him when he rose from the grave. Paul explains that as citizens of an new eternal city, its inhabitants shall need a new body that would be as equally glorious (I Cor. 15:35-55). If anything, this belief in bodily resurrection sets the early church’s understanding of salvation as sharply opposed to that of their Greek culture they inhabit which thinks of salvation as the liberation of the soul from the body.

While this hope of bodily redemption can easily be taken for granted by the average person, it is definitely good news for those who suffered from blindness and other physical ailments. That the lame can one day run and swim again, and that those born deaf can hear the most beautiful of Mozart’s musical composition shall be a most splendid news for those who went through life bereft of such simple joys. That this new body defies even the threat of death as well only means that the joys of life in the new heavens and new earth is something that human beings will enjoy with God not only for a limited moment but for eternity.

Liberating their Patterns of Life. As mentioned already, selfishness is part of what Christ has set human beings to be free of. This particular trait cuts across both the vertical and horizontal dimensions of human relationships. This is because what is commonly regarded as ‘sinful’ acts are basically manifestations of a disposition of the heart and attitude of the mind that have no regard for the will of God and the welfare of other people. The so called problem of sin, at its very core, is an issue of idolatry at one level and apathy on another.[10] That is, the relentless turning of one’s desire to godlike proportions and putting one’s personal interest to the disregard (and in many times, to the detriment) of another human being. All the horrors of humanity, corruption and injustice in government, abuses and oppression in society, etc. can be rooted in this twin habits of the human heart.

In its place, Christ left the world with a way of living that mashes-up one’s love for God and one’s love for neighbor as two inseparable sides of the same coin (Luke 10:25-37).[10] At the cross, he exemplified what it means to live a life of sacrificial love (John 15:14, I John 3:16).[12] All who are to be called his disciples are enjoined to follow in his footsteps and live a life of compassion, forgiveness, and humility.[13] Christ spelled out how this pattern of life works out in everyday life most specifically in what is now called as the “Sermon on the Mount.”[14] Simply stated, to live a life that is godly is to be a good neighbor to all people, especially those mostly in need. This pattern of Christlike living has not only confronted but also influenced cultures and civilizations on what it means to look after the less fortunate and how to look upon and treat those pushed at the margins of society.[15]

Conclusion. This brief sketch of a possible re-reading of key passages in the New Testament shows that at the heart of what God sought to accomplish in history may well be about the liberation of life for all of His creation -the bees, the birds, your neighborhood and its cultural practices, including the rivers and hills in which it is located (Acts 17:26). Perhaps, this musing can provide an alternative for those coming out shortchanged as they look for what salvation is all about in today’s shopping complex of Christian goodies.

-Rei Lemuel Crizaldo (originally posted December 2017 at the Micah Global blogsite)

NOTES:

[1] This soteriological notion is reflected in popular Gospel presentations such as Evangelism Explosion (EE), Simplified Bridge Illustration, the Roman Road, and even in what is called as “The Wordless Book.” By the way it formulates the Good News, it also necessarily reduces the concept of salvation as finding the solution to the problem of sin and its punishment (the fires of hell) by securing the destiny of one’s soul in heaven. But as Prof. John Stackhouse Jr. of Regent College reminds us, “An understanding of salvation that amounts to a sort of spiritual individualism is little better than Gnosticism.” This is why he thinks there is a need to “redouble our efforts to teach what the Bible teaches about salvation in all its glorious complexity and scope” and“prod evangelical theology toward a vision of salvation as large as God’s mission to the world He loves and redeems” (see the book he edited, “What Does it Mean to Be Saved? Broadening Evangelical Horizons of Salvation” published by Baker Academic in 2002). This blogpost is a humble contribution to such a clarion call.

[2] Unfortunately, the term ‘liberation’ has been so rigidly associated (or even, ‘hijacked’) in theological literature as referring to the movement called Liberation Theology developed in Latin America (cf., Gustavo Gutierrez). But the term itself is a rich word that captures a lot of what the Bible says about ‘redemption.’ I am of the opinion, that the word might as well be redeemed from the usual theological baggage associated with it and be given a fresh lease of life. Interestingly, the Micah Global has recently framed its missiological understanding along the lines of ‘liberation’: “Scripture has a ‘liberating’ theme running through it and the climax of the Good News message is one of redemption and restoration. God is our Liberator, not only of humanity, but of all creation… We are to be signposts, demonstrating God’s liberating agenda for his world, proclaiming and pointing to the ultimate liberation of all things in heaven and earth when Christ returns” (cf., Sheryl Haw, Micah Global Inform October 2017 – “God’s Liberating Agenda”).

[3] The works of Old Testament scholars such as Walter Brueggemann (“Theology of the Old Testament”) and Chris Wright (“The Mission of God”), including the works of New Testament theologian NT Wright (initially, his book, “Surprised by Hope”), as well as the numerous articles of Latino missiologist C. Rene Padilla became formative influences in my reflections.

[4] I previously run a series of blogposts on this topic. First post can be found here: http://xgenesisrei.tumblr.com/post/159811395065/lifes-perfect-playbook

[5] Elsewhere, in Ephesians 1:8-10, Paul said that this project of reconciling everything in the heavens and on earth to Christ is God’s “secret plan.”

[6] This led some thinkers such as Greg Boyd to develop an overtly negative picture of the world wherein it has been so-wretched by Satan’s works that God has totally lost control of it. According to him, the whole world has turned into a kingdom of darkness and doom in which God’s people are called by God to set themselves apart. See his book “The Myth of a Christian Nation.”

[7] This storyline is from CS Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia. But the idea of liberating the world from the dominion of the Evil One is articulated in what is called as the “Christus Victor” theory of the atonement. In essence, this theory highlights the ultimate issue underlying all that is wrong and broken in the world -the cosmic conflict between good and evil in the universe. It focuses on the element that what Christ has accomplished in his earthly mission is to liberate the world from Satan and undo the havoc that he and his demons has wrought upon God’s good creation. Simply said, the problem of humanity is not simply a sin-problem but a more bigger problem of devilish dominion.

It is unfortunate that the individualism and secularism of the Western world, with its skepticism of the paranormal and supernatural beings such as angels and demons, have paved the way for the monopolization in soteriology (theology of salvation) of the atonement theory called as ‘penal-substitution.’ This particular theory teaches that what Christ came to do is to pay for the sins of humanity and serve as their substitute sacrificial offering to appease God’s wrath and let them off the hook of His judgment and punishment in the lake of fire. It fostered a rather narrowed-down idea of redemption as basically an issue of sin-management and at a very personal level.

But the surge of Pentecostalism recaptured the notion of spiritual warfare and the importance of being delivered from the activities of evil demonic spirits. It brought back into the table the neglected dimensions of soteriology that involves the need to free the world not only from penalty of sin but also from the power of Satan.

[8] Paul used in this verse the Greek word ‘eleutheroo’ which means to be set at liberty. Same word used by Paul in Galatians 5:1. ‘To be set free’ is the common translation in English but the picture suggested by the Greek is to possess liberty.

[9] Walter Brueggemann insists that people’s identity are closely tied up to the land they inhabit, even and most especially, the people of God (see his book “The Land: Place as Gift, Promise, and Challenge in Biblical Faith”).

[10] Interestingly, Apostle Paul taught both the believers in Ephesus and at Colossae that greed is basically a case of idolatry (Col. 3:5 and Eph. 5:5).

[11] Elsewhere, Jesus called this two commands as the greatest of all (Matt 22:36-40 and Mark 12:28-34). John the Beloved vividly captured the fusion of the two commands by saying, “If people say, ‘I love God,’ but hate their brothers or sisters, they are liars. Those who do not love their brothers and sisters, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have never seen” (I John 4:20).

[12] It is by laying down this example of giving one’s life for another that Jesus left a new commandment to his disciples in John 13:33. Unlike what he regarded as the greatest of all the commandments in the Old Testament, his new command raises the bar of love for one’s neighbor -no longer just love for one’s self but Christ’s love for the world.

[13] Perhaps, the Old Testament counterpart to this kind of life is what prophet Micah enjoined the Israelites to do as the sum of what Yahweh expects from them: “This is what God requires of you: to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God” (Micah 6:8).

[14] See Matthew chapters 5-7.

[15] Works abound on how the ethical teachings of Jesus have left a deep impact in Western society that in time has embraced Christianity not only as a way of life but also a way of organizing society. See for example Rodney Stark’s “The Rise of Christianity” and Alvin Schmidt’s “Under the Influence: How Christianity Transformed Civilization” and Glenn Sunshine’s “Why You Think the Way You Do: The Story of Western Worldviews from Rome to Home.” On how the early church made such a deep impact to Roman society, see Helen Reese’s “Loving the Poor, Saving the Rich: Wealth, Poverty, and Early Christian Formation.”

#integralmission #liberation #transformation #missional

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delightintheway · 7 months

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*Video!* ALL THINGS FULFILLED AND RESTORED IN THE KINGDOM - "Will we have our pets with us in the Kingdom?" -> -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex4HhTmg2uY&list=PLE8FlkxQPQkMIFKwAICFtCCIxuaoHNJSh&index=8 <- <- "It is written: No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no one has imagined all the things which I have prepared for those who love Me.[2] Therefore ask, and you shall surely receive.[3] For it shall surely come to pass in that day, before you call I will answer, and while you are yet speaking I will hear.[4] For My love is an overflowing fountain, restoring all things, even unto your beloved pets.

Behold, The Restoration is coming, coming quickly!…

All things restored as in the beginning; A garden where nothing is destroyed, And none are given to destruction; No more pain or tears, no more sickness or death…

Only life is, and shall be, forever!…

Says The Lord."

[2]: 1 Corinthians 2:9 [3]: Matthew 7:7 [4]: Isaiah 65:24

Excerpt from: https://www.thevolumesoftruth.com/All_Things_Fulfilled_and_Restored_in_The_Kingdom

#TheVolumesofTruth #Prophecy #YAHUWAH #YahuShua #Jesus #TheWordofTheLord #TrueProphet #God #creation #Sabbath #TheKingdomofGod #rest #restoration #pets

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dailyaudiobible · 7 months

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9/21/2023 DAB Transcript

Isaiah 37:1-38:22, Galatians 6:1-18, Psalm 65:1-13, Proverbs 23:24

Today is the 21st day of September, welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I am Brian. It is wonderful to be here with you today, wonderful to be here every day, wonderful that this place exists for us to be. So glad that we can be together as we take another step forward and our next step forward leads us to the book of Isaiah. And today we will read chapters 37 and 38.

Commentary:

Okay, so, we concluded the letter to the Galatians today and in Paul's last chapter of this letter, his final exhortations he gives us a pretty straightforward look at the postures of life that we’re supposed to be cultivating. These aren’t really like Paul's Christian life packs for the first century because the things that he suggests that we’re supposed to live into, the things that we’re supposed to be doing. And so, if we’re supposed to be doing them, we can outwardly just force ourselves to try to do these things. Or we can understand that the Gospel is from within, the transformation happens from within and the without, the exterior follows that and to cultivate these things are like shortcuts to an easier life. They’re the posture of life itself as a believer and follower of Jesus. So, let's just consider the things that Paul is laying out. First, carry one another's burdens, in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Okay so, like that's something to consider, do we fulfill the law of Christ by carrying one another's burdens? Do we have a desire for…for helping each other carry our loads so that we are not all being crushed, so that we all have this together? Or are we looking out for ourselves thinking that we’re something that we’re not, just deceiving ourselves. There’s a lot to be considered and that's the first one. Next, let each person examine his own work and then he can take pride in himself alone, and not compare himself with someone else. For each person will have to carry his own load. Right, right, keep your eyes on your own life. Examine your own self first. Or how about this one, let the one who is taught the word share all his good things with the teacher. Don’t be deceived, God is not mocked, for whatever a person sows he will also reap, because the one who sows to his flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the spirit. Right, so take care of the ones who help you grow, who become your teachers. Don't…don't withhold from them. Don't be deceived. That they're showing you the way and understand the way, because if you’re gonna sew from the exterior, from the flesh, if you’re gonna navigate yourself from that perspective, then you will reap what you sow, which will be that your flesh will ultimately destroy you. If you sew from within to the Spirit, eternal life is what wells up from within and overflows. Or this one, let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith. I guess on the one hand, we can imagine a world like that and that's a different world than the world that we live in, and that is the invitation of the Gospel. There's a better way. There’s a better way for people to be and that is to take care of each other, knowing that we’re in this together. So, this is great advice that has to be cultivated from within where the change actually happens, and the desires actually grow to take care of each other and then that overflows into our lives. It changes us dramatically. If we look at what Paul is describing, we would say that would be a different world. That's the world we’re invited to build in collaboration with God. We are being transformed, according to the Scriptures, into new creations, and that's gonna change the way we look at things altogether. And Paul's giving us a glimpse of what that looks like, as we close the letter to the Galatians.

Prayer:

So, Holy Spirit, these glimpses, like they set something off in us. They ignite something in us like yeah, that…that's where we’re going, that's where this is supposed to be all headed. And sometimes we get lost in the fact that it won't head in that direction, if we don't go in that direction. And we all have to go in that direction for the world to find transformation, but it does kind of boil down to us. Are we gonna walk the path? Are we gonna live from the heart? Are we going to cultivate from within a relationship with You that spills out and affects those around us. Paul's given us a glimpse of some of what that looks like, help us live into it from within. We ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Prayer and Encouragements:

Hi, this is Loriann from South Carolina. And I just wanna thank all of you, my family, my fellow DAB family and church for praying for me the way that you have since I’ve lost Steven. And there’s so many days that I do good. But then there are so many days that I just want my husband back. And right now, I feel like, and I don’t know if this is true, but I feel like God just wants me to belong to Him. And He be my husband. And He teach me His ways. And He teaches me how to love and how to live and to minister for Him. And all I wanna do is ask you guys to please pray for me because this grief is killing me. And I know that’s from Satan, but I loved my husband Steven, with all my heart. And I miss him so much. Please pray for me, my sisters and brothers and I know you will because you always do. And thank you Brian Hardin and family. I love you so much. You mean everything to me. I hope you guys have a good night and I love you.

You always keep your word, and your word is true. Thank you for all you have done for us in the past. We thank you for the things we’re, You are doing now for us and we thank You for all that You will do for us in the future. We want to please You with our faith. Give us the strength to have faith and pray, even when we don’t feel like we can believe. For we know that nothing is impossible with You. Help us to remember that our faith relies on believing in Your son, Jesus Christ and Your word. Not in what we see or feel. Help us to resist the devil through Your word. Help us to resist his lies of doubt, fear, negative thoughts and temptations. We want all things to be possible for us. We want blessings to be unlocked for us by faith. And we want to have testimonies in our lives to share with others to build their faith. We pray in Jesus name. Amen. Thank you for praying along with me my brothers and sisters. I love each and every one of you. Have a good night.

Hi everyone, it’s Lisa the Encourager. I wanted to call, like many others, and just tell Liza I’m praying for you and how much I really admire your courage with everything that you’re going through. So, God laid on my heart the Bible verse James 4: 14 and it talks about what, how are lives are so short. And it is a good reminder that all of us have an opportunity to really look at what we’re gonna do with our time, no matter where we are in life. And the Bible verse says, you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life, it is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. And I just think that Liza has given us a beautiful picture of her walking through her vapor and doing it so beautifully, with so much courage and so much humbleness. And it helps us all see how life; we don’t know when our lives will end. So, this is the challenge to me. What am I going to do with my vapor? What am I gonna do with my time. And I just think, I just wanna thank you Liza for helping us all look at you and be so encouraged by your love and your grace and your humbleness and your courage. And we’re all so happy to pray for you as you’re going through your illness and we’re praying that you are healed. But it also challenges us to look at our own lives and see what we can do in this time that we are staring at and what we can do to please God.

Hi, my name’s Clint, calling for my son, Vincent Blankenship. He, he’s had a mental break and we need prayer. He’s in the clinic right now getting help. And I’m just so thankful people are praying with me here in my community and thankful for this Daily Audio Bible. Thanks to Brian for reading the Bible for all these years for us. My son’s doing better but we believe that God can heal and we’re asking for complete healing of his mind. Thanks so much for your prayers. I’m just so thankful to know the Lord and know His family. Thanks guys.

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