One of the most important issues for our day is the subject of inspiration. For example, in the books of Moses, rather than forbidding the practice of polygamy, guidelines were given for men who chose to take a second wife. And, rather than forbidding the practice of private vengeance, in which a family would hunt down and kill a man who killed another accidentally, God provided cities of refuge. Instead of commands that disallowed slavery, provisions are made for it...the list goes on.

In what way are these passages "inspired"?

For many individuals, the suggestion that certain passages in the Bible only apply for that specific time and culture amounts to "picking and choosing" and destroys the authority of the Bible. But should we still be stoning Sabbath breakers to death? What about Paul's advice for women that "it is a shameful thing for a women to speak in church?" Isn't it a much "slippier slope" to literally try and follow or enforce these commands today?

In this Bible study we concluded by using the subject of "women in the ministry" as a test case to apply issues related to inspiration.

Get the powerpoint slides here - http://www.godscharacter.com/files/ppt/Deuteronomy_inspiration.ppt

Why was Moses punished so severely for striking the rock? On the surface it would seem that he lost his cool, yet God's response would seem to indicate that there was something much more serious involved.

We also discussed Balaam and his talking donkey. There is much more to this story than meets the eye.

The fatal flaw of Balaam is so important to us that three New Testament books warn not to follow the road of Balaam.

Get the powerpoint slides here - http://www.godscharacter.com/files/ppt/Numbers_20-25_rock_donkey.ppt

Why was Moses punished so severely for striking the rock? On the surface it would seem that he lost his cool, yet God's response would seem to indicate that there was something much more serious involved.

We also discussed Balaam and his talking donkey. There is much more to this story than meets the eye.

The fatal flaw of Balaam is so important to us that three New Testament books warn not to follow the road of Balaam.

Get the powerpoint slides here - http://www.godscharacter.com/files/ppt/Numbers_20-25_rock_donkey.ppt

Why was Moses punished so severely for striking the rock? On the surface it would seem that he lost his cool, yet God's response would seem to indicate that there was something much more serious involved.

We also discussed Balaam and his talking donkey. There is much more to this story than meets the eye.

The fatal flaw of Balaam is so important to us that three New Testament books warn not to follow the road of Balaam.

Get the powerpoint slides here - http://www.godscharacter.com/files/ppt/Numbers_20-25_rock_donkey.ppt

How do we reconcile the words that God spoke "face to face with Moses" with "No man can see my face and live"?

The best context for understanding what it means to speak face to face with God is found in Numbers chapter 12. What is remarkable about the face to face relationship that Moses had with God is that we are entirely capable of the same experience! In Christ, the veil the separates us from God is removed.

Get the powerpoint slides here - http://www.godscharacter.com/files/ppt/Numbers_20_face_to_face.ppt

How do we reconcile the words that God spoke "face to face with Moses" with "No man can see my face and live"?

The best context for understanding what it means to speak face to face with God is found in Numbers chapter 12. What is remarkable about the face to face relationship that Moses had with God is that we are entirely capable of the same experience! In Christ, the veil the separates us from God is removed.

Get the powerpoint slides here - http://www.godscharacter.com/files/ppt/Numbers_20_face_to_face.ppt

How do we reconcile the words that God spoke "face to face with Moses" with "No man can see my face and live"?

The best context for understanding what it means to speak face to face with God is found in Numbers chapter 12. What is remarkable about the face to face relationship that Moses had with God is that we are entirely capable of the same experience! In Christ, the veil the separates us from God is removed.

Get the powerpoint slides here - http://www.godscharacter.com/files/ppt/Numbers_20_face_to_face.ppt

"The LORD sent poisonous snakes among the people, and many Israelites were bitten and died." (Numbers 21:6).

In this Bible study we discussed 3 terrible stories:

First, God is described as becoming "angry" and causing people to die as they ate the quail. Then, God opens up the earth to swallow Korah and his followers. Finally, God sends poisonous snakes!

Whatever happened to Satan in the Old Testament and why does this description of God seem so unlike Jesus?

Get the powerpoint slides here - http://www.godscharacter.com/files/ppt/Numbers_11-21_desert_mutiny.ppt

Links to the Greg Boyd Sermon on forgiveness mentioned:

Part1 - http://youtu.be/U9TytMyGpuU

Part2 - http://youtu.be/WM8bbwKughc

"The LORD sent poisonous snakes among the people, and many Israelites were bitten and died." (Numbers 21:6).

In this Bible study we discussed 3 terrible stories:

First, God is described as becoming "angry" and causing people to die as they ate the quail. Then, God opens up the earth to swallow Korah and his followers. Finally, God sends poisonous snakes!

Whatever happened to Satan in the Old Testament and why does this description of God seem so unlike Jesus?

Get the powerpoint slides here - http://www.godscharacter.com/files/ppt/Numbers_11-21_desert_mutiny.ppt

Links to the Greg Boyd Sermon on forgiveness mentioned:

Part1 - http://youtu.be/U9TytMyGpuU

Part2 - http://youtu.be/WM8bbwKughc

"The LORD sent poisonous snakes among the people, and many Israelites were bitten and died." (Numbers 21:6).

In this Bible study we discussed 3 terrible stories:

First, God is described as becoming "angry" and causing people to die as they ate the quail. Then, God opens up the earth to swallow Korah and his followers. Finally, God sends poisonous snakes!

Whatever happened to Satan in the Old Testament and why does this description of God seem so unlike Jesus?

Get the powerpoint slides here - http://www.godscharacter.com/files/ppt/Numbers_11-21_desert_mutiny.ppt

Links to the Greg Boyd Sermon on forgiveness mentioned:

Part1 - http://youtu.be/U9TytMyGpuU

Part2 - http://youtu.be/WM8bbwKughc