If you are a student of the biblical message and need a fellowship of like minded disciples, welcome to your new home. Whether you are a layman trying to make sense of it all, an under-graduate or post graduate student, a fan or foe -- feel free to speak your mind. J Smithson and B Taylor have combined to offer up thoughts and commentary that will [at least] generate some thought and drive you back into the Word. We are recovering "Restorationists," proud of part of our heritage, working to overcome other aspects of that heritage. Join us as we pursue the revelation of Christ.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Dialectic is the challenge. Personal insight is the reward.


If grace comes through obedience, God is obligated

If grace covers only some, God is limited

If all are "saved," God is no longer necessary

If grace can be rejected, God is not Sovereign

If no one is lost, God isn't looking.

If choice does not matter, God is a tyrant.

True or not, each of the above has value as an opportunity for a received revelation. Understand that God works through the ministry of words to accomplish revelation. Barth would say it this wise: "God works in and through the proclamation of the word" - the word having a specific duplicity in the written and living Word. Understand that when we listen to a sermon, read and study the Bible or pray "in the spirit," we are participating in revelation, God revealing to us what he would have us know. "Conviction," that "wow" moment, the intellectual thrill of having the "lights come on," the excitement we feel when we suddenly understand what was previously hidden (epiphany - πιφάνεια) , all this and more - experiences common to all disciples - is the finger of God touching our spirit.

We do not read "revelation," we participate in revelation.


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Find this title in our archive listing: Book Reviews: With Your Exegetical Effort In Mind

books in line with the theme of this blog

books in line with the theme of this blog