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Introduction

Different story from NT; 3 parts: Manuscripts, criticism, examples.

3 families:

Masoretic Text (MT),

Samaritan Pentateuch (SP),

Septuagint (LXX).

Oldest Scrolls

Silver Scrolls (7th c. BC): Numbers 6:24-26 blessing.

Nash Papyrus (2nd c. BC): Ten Commandments + Shema.

Masoretic Text (MT)

7th-10th c. AD; standardized Hebrew with vowels.

Leningrad Codex (1008 AD); basis for BHS.

Samaritan Pentateuch (SP)

Samaritan version of Torah; 2nd c. BC mss.

6,000 variants from MT; some ideological.

Septuagint (LXX)

Greek translation (3rd-2nd c. BC)

Early mss.: Codex Vaticanus, Sinaiticus.

Dead Sea Scrolls (DSS, 1947)

250 BC-68 AD; every OT book except Esther.

Confirm MT stability; some variants.

Textual Criticism

Rules: Shorter readings, harmonizations suspect.

Examples: Deut 32:8 (sons of God), Psalm 22:16 (pierced hands).

This message begins with the story of King Asa (2 Chronicles 14–16; 1 Kings 15:9–24), a king who started well by seeking the Lord, tearing down idols, and leading Judah back to God. When faced with overwhelming opposition, Asa cried out to the Lord in humble dependence, and God delivered him (2 Chronicles 14:11). Yet later in life, Asa relied on political alliances instead of prayer and rejected God’s correction, showing how easily trust can drift over time (2 Chronicles 16:7–9).

Old Testament narratives are meant to shape our relationship with God. These stories are not merely lists of rules, but living examples meant to teach us how to walk with God relationally, learning from faithfulness and failure alike (1 Corinthians 10:11).

This story speaks of revival, both biblically and historically. True revival begins when God’s people return to Him through prayer, preaching, repentance, and obedient action (2 Chronicles 15:1–7; Acts 2:37–42). Revival is not emotional hype, but a renewed submission to God that produces lasting fruit.

We are also called to stand in the gap for truth, rejecting pagan or unbiblical practices that quietly enter our thinking and living (Romans 12:1–2). Our struggle is not against people, but against spiritual forces, as we bear witness to God in our families, workplaces, and communities (Ephesians 6:12).

Finally, the life of Asa reminds us that finishing well matters. Faith must be sustained over a lifetime, not just trusting God at the beginning (Hebrews 3:14).

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Tower Analogy

Bible as foundation; manuscripts (mss.) copied by hand, with errors.

Compare mss. for original readings; critical text in Greek.

Focus: NT (OT next).

History of NT Texts

Byzantine texts: Majority (90% of mss.), used in East.

Latin Vulgate (Jerome, 382 AD): Based on Byzantine.

Renaissance: Return to originals; Valla exposed forgeries.

Reformation: Erasmus’s Greek NT (1516) – Textus Receptus.

18th-19th c.: Bentley– critical editions.

Discoveries: Codex Sinaiticus (1844), over 5,800 mss. now.

Textual Criticism

Compare variants; rules: Older mss. better, shorter/difficult readings preferred.

Tools: TCGNT, NET Bible, AI for variants.

Examples of Variants

1 John 5:7: Trinity comma – late addition.

Conclusion : 29 editions of Greek NT; exciting time.

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Introduction to Bible Series

7-part series: Manuscripts, textual criticism, translation, interpretation, application.

Cover basics; go deeper if interested.

Two key principles: Primacy (Bible first) and perspicuity (Bible is clear).

Primacy of Scripture

Primacy: First importance/authority (e.g., diplomacy over war).

Sources of knowledge: Perception, innate, introspection, memory, reasoning, others, revelation.

Conflicts: Trust God most (ultimate expert).

Bible as revelation: 2 Tim 3:16-17 – God-breathed, useful for teaching/correction.

Primacy over tradition, reason, experience.

Perspicuity of Scripture

Perspicuity: Clarity; Bible understandable without experts.

Not all parts equally clear (e.g., Revelation vs. basics).

Clear on essentials (salvation, morals).

Early views: Church fathers like Chrysostom affirmed clarity.

Reformation: Luther vs. Catholic need for magisterium.

Inerrancy and Infallibility

Inerrancy: idea that the Bible contains no errors

Infallibility: idea that the Bible contains no mistakes

Historiography: Ancient standards differ on precision

Conclusion: Bible is primary and clear on essentials.

Jehu was God’s weapon of judgment upon Ahab and Jezebel. He carried out his mission with intensity and zeal. Although God has not called the church to violence, we should, nevertheless, imitate Jehu’s zeal in our mission to love.

1 Kings 16:30-33 Ahab did more to provoke God to anger than all the kings of Israel who came before him. He introduced and sponsored the worship of Canaanite gods, including Baal and Asherah. His wife, Jezebel of Sidon, was a religious zealot who relentlessly persecuted the prophets of Yahweh, including Elijah (1 Kgs. 19:2).

1 Kings 21:5-7 When righteous Naboth refused to sell his vineyard to Ahab, Jezebel took matters into her own hands. After she had Naboth executed, Ahab took possession of his neighbor’s plot.

1 Kings 19:15-17; 21:19-29 God ordained that Jehu become king instead of Ahab. This Jehu would be God’s weapon of vengeance upon Ahab’s house.

2 Kings 9:4-13 After a young prophet anointed the military commander, Jehu, king, his officers immediately supported his bid for the throne.

2 Kings 9:30-31 Jehu first confronted and the reigning king Joram, Ahab’s son. Then he came for Jezebel. Next, he arranged for the death of all Ahab’s seventy sons.

2 Kings 10:18-19 Last of all, Jehu killed as many worshipers of Baal as he could and turned the temple into a latrine.

John 3:16-17 Jesus is the true and better Jehu. However, God did not send him to condemn the world, but to save it.

Revelation 19:11-16 Nevertheless, when Jesus comes again, he will come in judgment, making Jehu’s zeal look small in comparison.

Pastor Sean uses the Bible version NRSVUE

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Opening Story: Execution of Michael Servetus (1553)

In Geneva, Switzerland; executed for rejecting Trinity and predestination.

Servetus was a genius doctor, theologian, discovered pulmonary circulation; wrote “Restoration of Christianity.”

John Calvin had him arrested and executed (burned at stake).

Backlash: Sparked quest for freedom of expression; ideas survived via others.

Lesson: Past intolerance; now we have freedom to question.

Milestones Overview

History shaped over 600 years toward modern restorationism.

Key factors: Awareness, freedom, access to info, tools, time, desire.

Goal: Recover authentic Christianity through dialogue.

Milestone 1: Renaissance (14th-17th c.)

Revival of classical learning; focus on originals (ad fontes).

Humanism: Lorenzo Valla exposed Donation of Constantine as forgery.

Led to questioning church authority; paved way for Reformation.

Milestone 2: Reformation (16th c.)

Martin Luther: 95 Theses (1517); challenged indulgences, purgatory.

Sola Scriptura: Bible over tradition.

Key figures: Calvin, Zwingli; but still burned heretics.

Radical Reformers (Anabaptists): Restore NT practices like believer’s baptism.

Spread via printing press (Gutenberg, 1450s).

Milestone 3: Enlightenment (17th-18th c.)

Reason over tradition; John Locke: Toleration of diverse views.

American influence: Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, US Constitution on religious freedom

Milestone 4: Biblical Studies Advances (19th-20th c.)

Lexicons: Gesenius (Hebrew, 1810), Liddell-Scott (Greek, 1843).

Textual criticism: Tischendorf discovered Codex Sinaiticus (1844).

Archaeology: Dead Sea Scrolls (1947) confirmed ancient texts.

Translations: More accurate

Milestone 5: Modern Tools (20th-21st c.)

Digital access: Bible software, online resources.

AI: Analyze texts, detect biases.

Unprecedented freedom and information access

Conclusion: Providence led to current era for restoration.

Download: Restoration Theology Student Notes

Welcome to Restorationist Theology

Christian theology is worthwhile and exciting.

All Christians do theology – it’s how you summarize what the Bible says.

Everyone is a theologian; key question: Is your theology accurate? How to improve it?

Class goal: Think through theology comprehensively and methodically.

Defining Restorationism

Based on 3 beliefs:

Christianity has drifted from originals.

Possible to recover original Christianity.

We should recover and live it today.

Also called Christian primitivism (primitive = good, meaning early/original).

Goal: Correct errors based on final New Testament Christianity.

Class method: Systematic way to evaluate beliefs.

Why Restore? (Making the Case)

Example: Prayer for travelers – includes St. Christopher (patron saint), but Bible doesn’t mention saints or praying to them.

Shows how traditions add non-biblical elements.

Restorationism questions these additions.

Reasons to restore:

Bible warns against false teachings (e.g., Matt 7:15, 2 Pet 2:1).

Church history shows drift (e.g., indulgences, purgatory not in Bible).

Avoid errors from tradition; seek truth like Bereans (Acts 17:11).

Restorationist Approach

Dares to question received doctrines.

Slogan: “Fides quaerens veritatem” – faith seeking truth.

Not just explaining church teachings; evaluate and seek greater truth.

If you believe in restorationism, class teaches method to evaluate beliefs.

Restorationists are “Bible people”: Evaluate based on Bible, let it critique faith (not squeeze Bible to fit creed).

Class Preview

Outline of sessions:

Why Restore?

Milestones to Modern Restorationism.

Goal: Equip you to judge beliefs against Bible, measure doctrines.

Worth time to learn restoration theology.

Deuteronomy 17 God anticipated that Israel would ask for a king, and He did not forbid it. Instead, He gave specific instructions for those He would appoint. The most important requirement was that the king write a personal copy of the Law

1 Samuel 8:5-7 Israel says: “Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations.” – wrong motive.

1 Kings 10:22-24 The first three kings; Saul, David, and Solomon all reigned for 40 years. Saul failed to remain faithful, David was the best having God central, Solomon starts good ended terrible. v.23 So King Solomon became greater than all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom.

1 Kings 11:1-13 Solomon worshiped false gods influenced by his pagan wives. God told him He would split the kingdom.

1 Kings 12:1-33 Rehoboam was king over Judah and Benjamin and Jeroboam over the 10 northern tribes.

Proverbs 16:18; 11:2; 29:23 Pride comes before a fall.

Proverbs 11:14; 12:15; 15:22; 24:6 Wise counsel.

Rev. Vince uses the Bible version NASB-95

Matthew 3:1-6, 13-17; John 3:22-30; 4:1-3 John the Baptist was called by God to initiate a renewal movement within Israel, featuring repentance through baptism in water. Even though he had no sin, Jesus came to John to “fulfill all righteousness.” Jesus also baptized many, acting through his disciples.

Luke 3:15-17; John 15:26; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8; 2:1-4, 32-33 John’s prophecy about Jesus was that he would baptize people with the holy spirit. Jesus reiterated this promise at the last supper and shortly before his ascension. On the day of

Acts 2:37-41; 8:12-13, 36-38; 9:18 (22:16); 10:44-48; 16:14-15, 33; 18:8; 19:1-7; 1 Cor 1:13-17 Baptizing new converts in water was standard operating procedure in the early church. Baptism in water went hand in hand with receiving the holy spirit

Romans 6:1-4; Colossians 2:12 Baptism is a symbolic ceremony that affords people a physical experience to identify with Christ’s death and resurrection. They symbolically experience burial and resurrection. Although baptism is not necessary for salvation, it is a helpful opportunity for the repentant to make a public profession of faith and commitment.

Sean Finnegan uses the Bible version NRSVUE

“In Christ” reveals the covenant relationship we have with him. The spirit doesn’t change who we are but empowers us to live in the covenant relationship with Christ, freely submitting to his lordship. God’s everlasting love is declared in

1 Corinthians 11:23-27 we are in a covenant relationship with Christ and God.

A biblical covenant is a binding, relational agreement that God establishes with people in which He defines the relationship, makes promises, sets conditions or obligations, and specifies consequences. It is more than a contract and more than a feeling-based relationship, it is a structured relationship grounded in God’s initiative. He is our Father and Jesus is our Lord.

The Adamic, Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic

Romans 3:23–24 “in Christ” as a covenant relationship, Christ is Lord who promises justification, redemption, and eternal life, and our response is to submit to his lordship by living under his rule, within the realm of his saving grace.

“In Christ” is a metaphor of sphere and relationship, meaning to live under Christ’s covenant lordship and to share in all that he has accomplished.

Romans 6:3-11 we are to identify with Christ’s accomplishments. This is our faith.

Romans 6:23 …the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:1-8 flesh – we are born self-centered, given to covetousness, rebellion and the desire to fix ourselves.

Galatians 5:16-26

Romans 8:9 the spirit doesn’t change who we are but empowers us to live in the covenant relationship with Christ, freely submitting to his lordship.

Romans 8:15 you have not been given the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear.

Romans 8:18 God loves you. He wants you in His family.

Romans 8:25 God loves you and wants you to be with Him forever.

Romans 8:31 God loves you, you are part of His eternal purpose.

Romans 8:34 God loves you and always has your back.

Romans 8:39 nothing can separate you from His love.

Rev. Vince uses the Bible version NASB-95