This book is a magisterial response to the recent spate of criticism directed at Tom Wright for his theology of justification. He introduces readers to the debate and outlines his position without engaging in polemic against his opponents. This sprightly and gracious, yet robust, work is Tom Wright’s carefully argued and scripturally based response to those who think that he has deeply misunderstood Paul’s doctrine of justification… This is definitely one of the most exciting and significant books that I have read this year… Strongly commended!
Recent studies on the political nature of Jesus’ ministry often begins with the Isaianic New Exodus. Rome is the new Egypt, where as Jesus, the new Moses (or the embodiment of Israel). It is further suggested that the Exodus is the principle story of the OT and as a result, God is a God who liberates. The poor and the oppressed are the ones that the Lord truly cares about, therefore the Ekklesia and Empire are constantly in opposition and competition until the New Heaven and New Earth etc…
Similar to the presupposition of Liberation theology, what fall to the background with such reading are the promise and covenant of God. Before God is a God who liberates, He is a God who keeps His word. Faithfulness precedes Liberation; Love before Justice.
Isn’t it interesting that the Jews decided to begin their story with Creation and not with Exodus? (Yes, I do understand that the Exodus is foundational to them as ONE people of God). The Lord listens to the cries of the Israelites both because they are in misery AND because that they are “my people”.
Imagine this: You’re reading through a car magazine when you come to an ad for the new MINI Cabrio. The ad directs you to a URL, and once there, asks you to place your magazine in front of a webcam. Suddenly, and before your very own eyes, a 3D model of the new Mini appears on the page, and you are literally holding it in your hands. If you move it closer to the webcam, the Mini gets bigger, if you move it farther away, the Mini gets smaller, and you can twist, turn and rotate the model to look at it from any angle that you’d like. It’s like a miniature showroom in the palm of your hands, and you’re in control.
Sounds futuristic, right?
Think again, because that’s exactly what Mini has done with their latest series of magazine ads:
A great conferences that you should pay attention to.
I was there last year. Man, you have to hear him speaks! This is the kind of conference that will ignite your passion of reading the Bible all over again! Trust me, you won’t regret it!
Let me know if you are interested.
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Thy Kingdom Come on Earth as it is in Heaven
Exploring the Bible Conference with Ray Vanderlaan
Think Hebrew.
The language of the Bible comes from a culture, time and place much different from our own.
This conference seeks to present God’s Word in its Jewish context in order to make the Bible intensely relevant and our calling to be Jesus’ disciples more urgent.
Ray Vanderlaan, best known as the host of the seven-part video series “That the World May Know,” has been intrigued with the meaning and message of Jesus Christ since childhood. Since he received his Master of Divinity from Westminster Seminary in 1976, he has been actively involved with studying and teaching Jewish culture using the methods of Jewish education.
“My life goal is to be of unique service in the kingdom of Jesus Christ,” he states, “by sharing my knowledge of the Jewish context of the Bible. I have a special interest in using my teaching ability and background to encourage young people to confront our culture with the message of God. That message is most clearly seen in its original Jewish context.”
VanderLaan received his Bachelors’ degree from Dordt College and his Masters from Westminster Seminary. He has been a teacher for 30 years and is currently a religion instructor at Holland Christian Schools in Michigan. He is also an ordained minister in the Christian Reformed Church.
Ray Vanderlaan, best known as the host of the seven-part video series “That the World May Know,” has been intrigued with the meaning and message of Jesus Christ since childhood. Since he received his Master of Divinity from Westminster Seminary in 1976, he has been actively involved with studying and teaching Jewish culture using the methods of Jewish education.