On an internet news site, in the comments section, and atheist posted three scriptures (two from the "Old Testament" and one from the gospel of John) and asked why Christians aren't obeying or claiming them. Several Christians tried to answer, but the hole just seemed to be getting bigger and bigger. I stayed out of the fray.

I knew if I tried to help by pointing to the practice of right division of the Word of truth (2 Tim 2:15) in such a limited format, I'd be buying myself a two-pronged attack. Dispensationalism is anathema at almost all seminaries these days, but the only answer to the charge.

The problem is not just that atheists and agnostics and people of other religions could be confused by the vast numbers of scripture commands and promises that we do not practice or see today, a greater problem is causing doubt and fear in young believers that the Bible is a fraud.

David Hocking has a decades old ministry (Hope for Today). And while I would never say that David hasn't been faithful to the gospel, I believe he carelessly handles the promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14 by trying to apply it to the United States.

"if My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

We also look again at the word "forever" in scripture. In a later episode, I will go to Hocking's commentary on the verse and discuss his reasoning and apply the principles of right division and context.

Season 5 brings us a new opening song and new clips.

The modern church defines "joy" quite differently than does the Lord. We look to the Acts age book of Hebrews to see the greatest example of the values of the Christian life. The Lord endured injustice and death, not caring about the shame that came with it, because the greater joy was found in pleasing the Father and bringing redemption to mankind. #theology

We look at another very popular verse from from Psalm 37, verse 4, "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." Is God obligated to all men and women in all ages to fulfill this spiritual transaction? Well, we once again turn to the context of the promise and seek also to rightly divide (2 Tim 2:15) the promise. It surely is a "Bible promise," but what is its purpose and to whom was it given? We also note that the history of Christianity is a history of being persecuted and slaughtered for the faith. #theologytalk

We visit another oft-quoted verse (often when preachers are calling missionaries or guilting parishioners into evangelistic duty), Isaiah 6:8.

Also I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said, “Here am I. Send me.”

But what message was Isaiah sent with? And to whom was he sent and why?

Short commentary on the papal conclave, we then move back to Israel God's plans for the earth, the land, and the Kingdom. We step back into the Book of Matthew and note the Lord's message and mission in that book and we agree with the Lord's assessment: he was sent only to the lost sheep of the House of Israel and the Gospel of the Kingdom is for Israel alone. Yes, he is Lord of the Gentiles, but he is Son of David to Israel alone. #theologytalk

Part 2 of 2. A look at the return of the Lord through Paul's epistles. We again focus on the spheres of blessing and remind ourselves to rightly divide the differences. #theology

Part 1 of 2. A look at the return of the Lord through the Acts age and the apostles to the circumcision. We again focus on the spheres of blessing and remind ourselves to rightly divide the differences. #theology

We never want to diminish the experience of the birthing of the new nature in the believer when he or she comes to acknowledge the finished work of the Lord Jesus as his or her only hope, but we also never want to lose sight of the primary hope of the new birth. Deaths reigns from Adam until this very hour. It is our "enemy." The Lord conquered it in his resurrection and one day, because of what he accomplished on our behalf, the believer will experience it as well. No matter the plan of God before any group of believers, no matter the sphere of blessing, the great gift of immortal life through resurrection must shine through. #theology #christian

We take a look at the Lord's response to a question he received from his disciples on the Mount of Olives concerning the end of the age ("world" in some translations). We're centered on Matthew 24 in part.

We use this backdrop concerning the plan for the Kingdom (the gospel of the kingdom being for Israel and involving the earthly plan) to set us up for a look at the hope of the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, and its place in the plan of God.