Hello CMF,
Here is a visual addendum to my Easter message, The God Who Raises The Dead.
Feel free to ask further questions if you have them.
Blessings,
David
Lent to Easter 2015
It's Friday But Sunday's Coming! /
Today is Good Friday. We call it "good" because it's not a stand alone event. If it weren't for the resurrection on what we call Easter Sunday, there would be nothing "good" about Friday.
So today while we reflect on the death of Jesus, we know that we do not grieve as those who have no hope. No, we experience the pain and sorrow of loss, but we do so much differently than the rest of the world, or at least we should. Why? Because Jesus has defeated death.
Tony Campolo will forever be known for preaching a sermon entitled It's Friday But Sunday's Coming! Let's remember that this is now the way we are to view the world.
We live in a Good Friday world, but Easter Sunday is coming, even now it's breaking in.
This Sunday morning we will be celebrating this mysterious reality of resurrection as we conclude our Lent to Easter 2015 series with The God Who Raises The Dead.
Dead is dead. Whether it be in the ancient world or in modern times, when people die they stay dead. But as we’ve learned in this series, God turns the ways of the world upside down and inside out. Easter Sunday is the quintessential expression of God’s wisdom and power to do the unexpected and the impossible. He is the God who raises the dead!
In this final message, I'll lead us through the discovery of the empty tomb, to seeing Jesus transformed and exalted, to hearing the apostle Paul insist that our faith is futile without the resurrection. This happy morning we’re all being invited to participate in the resurrection. What did it mean in the first century? And what difference does it make today?
I hope you will join us for this special time of worship.
He has risen!
Pastor David
Lent 1 -- Further Thoughts on Biblical Inspiration & Genesis 1-11 /
Hello CMF,
I have put together an addendum to the sermon, offering further thoughts on Genesis 1-11. But first, I talk about some of the meaning of biblical inspiration and authority.
Contrary to the way we normally think about the Bible, it's not just one book. The Bible is made up of many books. To be specific, the Bible is a library of 66 books, written by over 40 authors, spanning hundreds of years, and utilizing different literary genres to communicate theological truths.
On top of that, we have the hard work, but wonderful privilege, of interpreting it today. I have found this task very rewarding over the years. It has strengthened my faith in Christ.
Here are some suggested books for learning more about reading and studying the Bible:
- Grasping God's Word by Scott Duvall and Daniel Hays
- How to Read the Bible For All Its Worth by Gordon Fee
- How to Read the Bible as Literature by Leland Ryken
If you're looking for more focused reading on Genesis 1-11, check out the following:
- The Lost World of Genesis One by John Walton
- The Lost World of Adam & Eve by John Walton
- The Evolution of Adam by Peter Enns
- The Lost World of Scripture by John Walton and Brent Sandy
As you can see, John Walton, prof of OT at Wheaton College, is sort of the premier voice on the first few chapters of Genesis at the moment. Listen to Walton talk briefly about ancient cosmology and the flood here. And for his thoughts on the tower of Babel, listen to him here.
Finally, you may be interested in this article on the flood from BioLogos, and a video from scholar N.T. Wright talking about history and myth at work in Genesis.
Let me hear from you if you have any questions or thoughts.
Blessings,
David