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Luke: High Christology of the Gospels-Part 3

Brian Franks2022-07-12T12:56:49-06:00

By Israel Steinmetz BACKGROUND AND SCOPE This is part of a series exploring how Jesus is depicted in the Gospels. Many scholars have noted that John’s Gospel proclaims a majestically high Christology. Indeed some have seen in John a Christology that finds no parallel in the other Gospels. 1 To put it simply, “If Jesus was as He is depicted in Matthew and Mark and Luke, He cannot have been as He is depicted in John. The two are incompatible.” 2 But is this contrast between John and the Synoptics accurate? Does it give a fair reading to the Christological titles and roles assigned [...]

Luke: High Christology of the Gospels-Part 3Brian Franks2022-07-12T12:56:49-06:00

Matthew: High Christology of the Gospels-Part 2

Brian Franks2022-07-12T12:55:23-06:00

By Israel Steinmetz BACKGROUND AND SCOPE This is part of a series exploring how Jesus is depicted in the Gospels. Many scholars have noted that John’s Gospel proclaims a majestically high Christology. Indeed some have seen in John a Christology that finds no parallel in the other Gospels. 1 To put it simply, “If Jesus was as He is depicted in Matthew and Mark and Luke, He cannot have been as He is depicted in John. The two are incompatible.” 2 But is this contrast between John and the Synoptics accurate? Does it give a fair reading to the Christological titles and roles assigned [...]

Matthew: High Christology of the Gospels-Part 2Brian Franks2022-07-12T12:55:23-06:00

Mark: High Christology of the Gospels-Part 1

Brian Franks2022-07-12T12:53:30-06:00

By Israel Steinmetz From its declaration that “the Word was God” to Thomas’ worship of Jesus as “My Lord and my God!” John’s Gospel proclaims a majestically high Christology. Indeed, many people have seen in John a Christology that finds no parallel in the other Gospels. 1 For them, John’s logos and incarnational thought and his explicit portrayal of Jesus’ divinity is juxtaposed with the less exalted portraits of Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels. 2 To put it simply, “If Jesus was as He is depicted in Matthew and Mark and Luke, He cannot have been as He is depicted in John. The two are incompatible.” 3 But is this [...]

Mark: High Christology of the Gospels-Part 1Brian Franks2022-07-12T12:53:30-06:00

How Does Prayer Connect Us to God?

Brian Franks2022-07-12T12:50:12-06:00

By Josiah Robles How does prayer connect us to God? Prayer is more than just a few words spoken to God before a meal or before one goes to sleep. Though it can simply be said that prayer is how “we make contact with God, and likewise God communicates with us.” Prayer is a lifestyle of communion with God in which we develop a deep intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father. This deep intimate relationship with the father is what allows us to become friends with God. Prayer for me as a Christian leader is extremely significant. Prayer is what allows me to come before [...]

How Does Prayer Connect Us to God?Brian Franks2022-07-12T12:50:12-06:00

A Look at the Book of Psalms: Does It Still Apply Today?

Brian Franks2022-07-12T12:45:40-06:00

By Lisa Harp Hinds Do you enjoy reading the book of Psalms but wonder how it applies to your life? Does it continue to have significance? There are three main theological themes in the Psalms which make them significant for Christians today. These are: salvation, faith, and wisdom. Even as new covenant believers, we can use the themes in this Old Testament book to teach us how to live and lead for Christ. As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God [...]

A Look at the Book of Psalms: Does It Still Apply Today?Brian Franks2022-07-12T12:45:40-06:00

Scripture Alone…But Not Alone with Scripture

Brian Franks2022-07-11T10:25:33-06:00

By Amber Riggs Alone with the unknown creature, the blind man caressed its skin, memorizing each wrinkle and marveling at the gentle strength of the tall, snakelike animal. “Come! Come see this animal! I’ve never met anything like it!” he called to his friend as he backed away to give the friend a turn. The friend, also blind, approached the creature from a different angle. Instead of silently marveling at a tall snakelike creature, his hands examined what felt like a living tree trunk. Still, he was amazed and passed on the exciting invitation to a third blind friend and backed [...]

Scripture Alone…But Not Alone with ScriptureBrian Franks2022-07-11T10:25:33-06:00

Our Distinctive Lens

Brian Franks2022-07-11T10:23:07-06:00

By Brian Franks It has happened many times in my life and ministry within the Church of God (Seventh Day). On a random Sabbath morning someone I don’t know walks in the church building. I greet them and introduce myself and they respond in kind. Then they get down to business: what does Seventh Day in the name of this church mean? I tell them about our belief in the Sabbath and why it still matters today (that it especially matters today in this culture). They ask about a few other things, and I share the stances the church has on [...]

Our Distinctive LensBrian Franks2022-07-11T10:23:07-06:00

Baptism Debates: Worthwhile Questions to Consider — Part 2

Brian Franks2022-07-11T09:46:03-06:00

By Israel Steinmetz Water baptism has been consistently practiced by the Church throughout the entire history of the Christian faith. It is practiced by the vast majority of those who call themselves Christians—whether Protestant, Roman Catholic, or Eastern Orthodox. However, the method, subject, formulas, agent, effect and meaning of baptism have been issues of debate throughout Christian history, particularly since the time of the Protestant Reformation. If one seeks to understand or explain what baptism means they find themselves perplexed by a host of other questions that influence—to varying degrees—their answer to the question. In this two-part series we will explore six primary [...]

Baptism Debates: Worthwhile Questions to Consider — Part 2Brian Franks2022-07-11T09:46:03-06:00

Baptism Debates: Worthwhile Questions to Consider — Part 1

Brian Franks2022-07-11T09:43:44-06:00

By Israel Steinmetz Water baptism has been consistently practiced by the Church throughout the entire history of the Christian faith. It is practiced by the vast majority of those who call themselves Christians—whether Protestant, Roman Catholic, or Eastern Orthodox. However, the method, subject, formulas, agent, effect and meaning of baptism have been issues of debate throughout Christian history, particularly since the time of the Protestant Reformation. 1 Who may be baptized? Believers only, or infants as well? Who may baptize? Clergy or laity? What does baptism effect, that is, is it salvific or symbolic? Should the one being baptized have water sprinkled [...]

Baptism Debates: Worthwhile Questions to Consider — Part 1Brian Franks2022-07-11T09:43:44-06:00

How Can I Be More Consistent in Reading the Bible Everyday?

Brian Franks2022-06-30T13:03:29-06:00

By Andrew Fernandez BIBLE READING – THE STRUGGLE IS REAL It is easy to neglect our spiritual needs when we feel that all the physical work to be done each day is crying out to us before we even wake up. Let alone all the shows, movies, video games, and tasty social media “chit-chat” to catch up on. We will often choose to sit and think about random facts before we will pick up a Bible and read it. We are a busy people, and when we are not busy, we prefer to be distracted with a million simple pleasures 1. So, [...]

How Can I Be More Consistent in Reading the Bible Everyday?Brian Franks2022-06-30T13:03:29-06:00

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