The following account of the Jewish observance of the Day of Atonement is that of Moses ben Maimon., a Jewish philosopher and codifier of the 12th century A.D. Maimonides (as he is often called) was born in Cordova, Spain on March 30, 1135, and he died in Cairo, Egypt, December 13, 1204. Maimonides set out to compile all the Jewish traditions of past centuries in an orderly form. His great work which emerged is known as the Mishneh Torah {Repetition of the Law) or the Yad Hahazakah (Strong Hand). “For systematic structure and logical presentation” the work “has no equal in Jewish … [Read more...]
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Our Man In Heaven: Exposition of the Text – Chapter Eleven
11:1. In this chapter our author will illustrate that faith which saves the soul by pointing to men and women from Jewish history who possessed it. He begins, however, with a statement concerning this saving faith, which some have called its definition. Faith is, on the one hand, the substance or confidence or courageous assurance (see the same word at 3:14) of things hoped for. This term expresses the sense well of the Hebrew word for faith used throughout the Old Testament. It is that confident and assured trust in God which enables one to endure with patience while moving toward the … [Read more...]
Review of Robert Morey
DEATH AND THE AFTERLIFE Robert A. Morey (Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 1984, cloth, 315 pages). One of the first books written in response to The Fire That Consumes after its appearance in 1982 was this volume by Robert A. Morey. The author of several books, Morey self-identifies as an apologist for orthodox Christianity and an exposer of cultic and non-Christian religions. Morey's zeal is beyond question, although his research and reasoning are not, as pointed out in the review that follows. As used here, a "conditionalist" is a person who holds that, because only God is … [Read more...]
Articles
MAGAZINE ARTICLES Power from on High: Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Unpublished) The Saving Love Of God (New Wineskins) Four Gospel Slogans (Unpublished) What Calvinism And Arminianism Have In Common (Christianity Today) Suffering, Success and The Day of Salvation (Present Truth) Security, Warnings, and the Gospel (Present Truth) The Law of Moses in the Light of Modern Tort Law (Unpublished) Aliens Among Us (New Wineskins) **** (not currently available) Propitiation/Atonement in the Septuagint (Unpublished) Hebrews: Ancient Encouragement for Believers Today--an article … [Read more...]
“Security,” “Warnings” and the Gospel
By Edward Fudge “...[you] who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." --1 Pet. 1:5, KJV. ((Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from the New International version.)) Peter speaks here of the Christian's salvation and of his security. He mentions its certainty ("[you] who are kept by the power of God") and its conditionality or means ("through faith"). How do we put these two elements together? There are two traditional answers. The Calvinist reads the words, "kept by the power of God," and preaches security. The … [Read more...]
FROM RUIN TO RESURRECTION
It has been my privilege in recent years first to become acquainted with and then to grow to appreciate the work of Al Maxey as a preacher and as a writer. Those who have heard him teach at the Tulsa Workshop and elsewhere, or who have regularly read his studious e-mailings, know precisely what I mean. Having invested his life in ministry among the "mainline" and even some of the more "conservative" Churches of Christ, Al understands his audience and stands with them in mind and heart. He appreciates their concerns, shares their love of Scripture, and speaks their language in teaching it. It … [Read more...]
What Calvinism and Arminianism Have In Common
Lost in a thicket of Arminian and Calvinist debate, we sometimes lose sight of the grand truths we hold in common... By Edward Fudge Some Christians focus on points about which believers differ. Edward focuses on what they share in common. There is no getting around the fact that Calvinists and Arminians understand scriptural teaching in ways which are humanly irreconcilable. Yet even they share far more truth in common than either side frequently thinks. This article by Edward was first published in Christianity Today magazine. Also available in pdf format:What Calvinism and … [Read more...]
The Fire That Consumes
A Biblical and Historical Study of the Doctrine of Final Punishment Third Edition * Updates original edition after three decades. * Interacts throughout with 17 traditionalist authors. * The view between extremes. ENDORSEMENTS "The standard reference on annihilationism." (Christianity Today) "I commend this book warmly . . . to which everyone engaged with this issue will constantly return." (Richard Bauckham, Professor Emeritus of New Testament Studies, The University of St. Andrews, Scotland; now at The University of Cambridge, U.K.) "A definitive work for years to … [Read more...]
CONFESSION – PARDON – PRAISE
These readings follow a natural and meaningful pattern of worship. As the gathered People of God, we first confess our sins and sinfulness, then hear a gospel word of forgiveness, and finally respond in an appropriate declaration of praise for God's mercy. These readings are best used after the opening hymn or immediately before Communion (or a Communion hymn). Also available in pdf format: Confession - Forgiveness - Praise ONE Unison: O Lord, the great and awesome God, we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly, turning aside from your commandments. We do not present our … [Read more...]
CAN THE SOUL TRULY DIE?
A North Carolina brother observes, "I've often heard speakers refer to hell as a place where the soul lives forever, enduring punishment of fire. Could you comment on this?" * * * The notion that every human being has a soul which, unlike the body, is immortal and cannot die, is a remnant of ancient pagan Greek philosophy. The idea crept into Christian thinking in the second and third centuries, where it shaped the popular doctrine of everlasting torture in hell. The great theologian Augustine gave the notion his stamp of approval and it became Catholic and Protestant orthodoxy. If souls … [Read more...]