Big Ideas: Let’s Talk About Romans 9 (part 2)

Be sure to read part 1 before diving into this post.  It will make much more sense reading it together.

In 9:17-20, we see the Pharaoh story.  The lesson:  God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, not by a secret working but by facing him with grace.  No one is so powerful that they can get away from resisting God’s will.  If you read the 10 plagues account, you see “God hardened Pharaoh’s heart”, “Pharaoh’s heart was hard”, and “Pharaoh hardened his heart”.  Which was it?  The answer is yes.  God showed Pharaoh his power, being the one true God (Pharaoh believed he was a god and was worshiped as such).  He would not bend, so God

Big Ideas: Let’s Talk about Romans 9 (part 1)

Romans 9.  Probably one of the most polarizing and avoided chapters in all the Bible.  Not many people actually know what is in Romans 9, outside of little tid-bits here and there.  So, walk with me through Romans 9 and discover how good God is.

This material came from my theology class with Dr. Gerry Breshears.  I was madly writing notes as he went through each section, and hopefully represent his position accurately.  If you have gone through Romans 9 before, then it is likely going to be different than something you’ve already heard.  I can remember

The Foolishness of God

“1 Cor. 1:18 – For the word of the cross is follow to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

A meditation on 1 Cor. 1:18-31

Why is the word of the cross folly to those who are perishing?  Because they cannot fathom God coming to die for them.  Truly in every man-made religion, the goal is to achieve god-like status in some way or another.  Whether it be through meditation, self-sacrifice, or obedience to a law, the goal is to become like the god or one with the god.  Interestingly, the truth of the gospel does

Stop Chasing Fulfillment

How many times in the last few weeks have you been advertised to based on your need for fulfillment?  The food you buy, car you should be driving, vacation spots you should be going to, clothes you should be wearing… largely, these all tug at our felt human need for fulfillment.  And you know what?  It’s not just a felt human need – it’s a real human need.

But here’s where the wrench gets thrown in:

Know Your Terms: In Christ

“What does it actually mean to be ‘in Christ’?”  This was a question that came up last Sunday in the community group that Noelle and I are a part of.  Had I been doing my reading for theology class on time I would have just finished an excellent summation of what the characteristics are of being “in Christ.”

First, what it is not.  Being in Christ is not just a

On Adolescent Mischief And Our Deep Longings

Augustine.  Anyone who knows his name or anything about the man thinks of his brilliant theological mind and his influence on the Western church over the past 1600 years.  Indeed, Augustine’s legacy is amazing; that being said, it is refreshing to me to discover that he was a “normal” 16 year old… and that 16 year old boys from then til now are not as different as you might expect.

In Book 2 of Confessions Augustine reflects on his adolescent mischief, dwelling in great detail

Prayer, Money, and Bragging on God

Having moved to Portland last July from Nor-Cal, Noelle and I took a major financial hit.  We depleted over half of our savings and are literally bringing in less than half of what we used to make combined.  We are also incurring debt with school because, well, it costs a heck of a lot of money.  Why do I bring this all up?  Two reasons:  First, to talk about prayer and money.  Second, to brag on God.

Living on less is not something I was particularly excited about

Prayer: Inherent Human Right? I Don’t Think So

Prayer is often seen as an inherent right as humans.  Generally we think about prayer as simply “talking to God”, and while this is not exactly inaccurate it does not paint the whole picture.  Recently in class I was encouraged by a visiting professor’s thoughts on Hebrews 10:19-25 as one of the key passages for understanding why we can pray.

There are two primary reasons why we are able to pray from this passage:

Know Your Terms: Repentance

“Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is near.”  Jesus said these words many times.  The disciples of Jesus constantly told people to repent everywhere they went.  When Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg, the first one was “When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, “Repent” (Mt 4:17), he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.”  It should go without saying that repentance is a major part of becoming a Christian and growing as one.  So, what does it mean?

Often times, repentance is closely tied to changing one’s lifestyle.  Many would say that repenting means

Mistranslating John 3:16

I have to tell you something so shocking that you most likely won’t believe me.  OK, it’s not actually that shocking, but is sort of surprising and strikes me as rather important.  Recently in my theology class the professor was going on about something (I was taking notes, promise), and paused to give a brief note of instruction about John 3:16.

“You all are aware that John 3:16 is misinterpreted, right?”  No, Mr. Smarty Pants, I was not aware that