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There Was Never a Covenant of Works Instituted by the Gracious God

There Was Never a Covenant of Works Between God and Man

God did not require Adam to perform any good works prior to creating him. Seems obvious, doesn’t it? So the original gift of life was based on grace. Then why do theologians say that the original covenant between Adam and Eve and God was a “covenant of works?”

The reformed faith teaches that even in the Old Testament, among His people Israel, God did not save any individual based on works. It was always by grace, specifically by faith in a savior to come. It has always troubled me that the Reformed faith is consistent regarding salvation by grace throughout history until it gets to the Garden of Eden before the Fall. If God is a God who never changes, how could he impose a covenant of works at one point in history but a covenant of grace at another?

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Matthew 24 – Part 6

How Can It Be That Israel’s 1st Century Leaders Were Judged So Harshly?

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” Matthew 24:29. Here is what Luke says in Luke 21:25: “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring.”

Again, the bible itself explains the bible. “Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” Genesis 37:9. Joseph’s dream was immediately understood by his brothers, his father, and his mother. Genesis 37:10. He would rule over them. Why would Continue reading “Matthew 24 – Part 6”

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America’s Established Religion is Polytheism

America’s Established Religion is Neither Secularism Nor Christianity

The U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding the opening of monthly town meetings in Greece, NY with prayers by clergy is problematic because contrary to its stated intent, it does establish a religion for the civil sphere. The high court says they’re okay with the town meeting prayers, as long as the city invites other religions and not just the clergy of the Christian religion.

We in 20th century America are accustomed to the Christian religion being primary; however, for most of human history, the major religions of the world have not been the Christian religion. The religion of Rome, Greece, and many Continue reading “America’s Established Religion is Polytheism”

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Matthew 24 Part 4

Deception About the End

“Don’t be deceived.” Vss 23-28 tell you that if someone says that Christ’s final return in person has happened, don’t listen. His return will not be in secret or like that of a normal person; His final return will be so incontrovertible that no one will be able to miss it. Notice that the deceivers are wrong on at least two critical points: One, they’re wrong on the timing (there’s that word again). They’re too early! The deceivers are those who claim He’s walking around on earth as a regular person when He’s really in heaven sitting at the right hand of the Father.

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The Legal Effects of Christ Coming to Earth as a Baby

The Legal Effects of Christ Coming to Earth as a Baby

Before we can understand the legal effect of Christ being born in a stable in Bethlehem approximately two thousand years ago, we first have to understand what the earth’s and humanity’s legal status was before.

Adam and Eve, and, by family relation, all their descendants, were criminals before God.  And not just any criminals; they were traitors who had defied a specific, simple law to not eat of one of the trees in the Garden in which God had placed them.  They defied God and His law, they trespassed upon property which God had reserved for Himself, they stole from that property, and they conspired with God’s chief enemy in order to attempt to take God’s rule from Him.  We know this from the account in Genesis chapters Continue reading “The Legal Effects of Christ Coming to Earth as a Baby”

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The Matrix – Post 3

The Matrix – Caveats

Having made some glowing statements about this movie, I have to add some caveats. First, there is a dearth of explicit reference to sin or anything comparable. Normally, I wouldn’t demand a movie present each aspect of orthodox theology, but The Matrix follows that theology so closely, it seemed important to me that something so important not be left out.  Otherwise, one could interpret this movie as some sort of gnostic presentation, which it may have been intended to be.  I do not know.

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