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Kenosis – What did Jesus give up, in coming to earth?

Is Jesus teaching that he was omnipresent, even when on earth here? Matthew 28:20 “… and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” But this was after his resurrection! He also said here “All power has been given to […]

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Omniscience – Does God know all the past, present and future?

John 21:17 “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Now this is in a context where Jesus is remonstrating (though gently) with Peter for his denial, which Jesus predicted. Then after Peter says “you know all things,” Jesus doesn’t say “But we must be careful here, my prediction need not imply […]

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New Perspective of N.T. Wright

N.T. Wright writes the following, in one of his books: “If and when God does act to vindicate his people, his people will then, metaphorically speaking, have the status of ‘righteous’… But the righteousness they have will not be God’s own righteousness. That makes no sense at all. God’s own righteousness is his covenant faithfulness, […]

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Preterism – Is the Great Tribulation past?

I believe it is! And it isn’t. That is, it seems appropriate to hold that there are two fulfillments of the prophecies of a great time of tribulation, and that the siege of Jerusalem and the trouble in those days, with a Gentile standing in the temple, is a foreshadowing of a future, more complete […]

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Purgatory?

Luke 12:47-48  That servant who knows his master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. LK 12:4-5 “I tell you, my friends, do not […]

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Rapture time – Is it before the tribulation?

The “first resurrection” seems to refer to just one point in time “this is the first resurrection” (Rev. 20:5), and placing the resurrection of the rapture (1 Thess. 4:16) before this seems to put a general resurrection before the “first resurrection.” REV 20:6 “Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. […]

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Regulative principle of worship?

Should we only worship in accordance with the instructions for worship and according to the examples given in Scripture? It seems the regulative principle of worship is actually too restrictive, should we have a similar principle of Scripture reading in church, and only read Scripture publicly in the worship service (that is what is commanded, […]

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Replacement theology – Has Israel been replaced by the church?

Jeremiah 31:37 This is what the Lord says: “Only if the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth below be searched out will I reject all the descendants of Israel because of all they have done,” declares the Lord. This is speaking of the rebellions of Israel, and thus not specifically […]

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Is God outside of time?

Does God experience time like we do, or is all of time “present” to God? Rev. 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” “Who is” is first, “I am!” Exodus 3:13-14 Then Moses said […]

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Trinity – God in three persons

JN 5:31 “If I testify about myself, my testimony is not valid. There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is valid.” Jesus here says that for his testimony to be valid in a court of law (his claims are on trial here in this chapter), he […]