Category Archives: The Salvation of the Christians

So what? I mean, this whole Jew-Gentile thing has been over for nearly 2,000 years. Why should we spend Sunday school Bible class time studying how First Century Jews should get along with First Century Gentiles? And if this is … Continue reading →

We need to skip ahead a bit. Paul follows the verses we just covered with a discussion of the greatness of Jesus the Messiah, and then he returns to the question of Jews and Gentiles. (Eph 2:11-12 ESV) Therefore remember … Continue reading →

Let’s take another look at Eph 1 and consider what these verses meant in Paul’s context. Paul’s point is that the Gentile converts enjoy the same covenant promises as the Jews. Well, what are those  promises? Why does that matter? … Continue reading →

Several posts ago, I mentioned my belief that the NT doctrine of election is the same as the OT doctrine of election — that is, “election” means that God has elected Israel as the chosen people. The Gentiles have been … Continue reading →

Something old, something new … So having hopefully avoided some of the more tedious arguments, let’s talk about something new. Well, not “new” but old. Really old. Paul writes in Gal 3 and Rom 4 that we are saved by … Continue reading →

I admit it. I’m still recovering from back surgery. I’ve been in a lot of pain for a long time. And I’m running low on patience. I’m especially impatient with the endless repeating of the Church of Christ vs. Baptist … Continue reading →

We continue to consider how, if salvation by faith is based on the covenant with Abraham, Christianity is different. So far, we’ve covered two points: 1. Christianity is based on promises already fulfilled. Judaism is based on promises not yet … Continue reading →

Now, in Paul and the Faithfulness of God (Christian Origins and the Question of God 4), N. T. Wright attempts to explain why the early church saw Jesus as God while not denying monotheism — a tricky bit of theology … Continue reading →

So, remarkably, we find that the Christian covenant is very much made up of the Abrahamic covenant. Reckoning faith as righteousness (Gen 15:16). Blessing the nations (Gen 18:18). Producing justice and righteousness within those in covenant relationship (Gen 18:19). If … Continue reading →