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2 Minute Theology

Essential Christian Beliefs Explained in 120 seconds or less

Where did the Bible Come From?

May 19, 2020 • Zach McAlack

Christians Believe that God’s word is inspired. 2 Timothy 3:16 uses the word “Theopneustas” literally translated as “God-Breathed.” 2 Timothy 3:16 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness 2 Peter 1:19-21 19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Is the bible always right?

May 26, 2020 • Zach McAlack

When properly interpreted scripture is completely true and accurate on everything that it intends to speak. Inerrancy applies only to the autographa but teaches that the scriptures in their original writing were completely without error. . As a member of the Evangelical Theological Society, I uphold the Chicago Statement of Inerrancy. In short: all of the autographa of scripture when properly interpreted, is true and without error in all subjects in which is speaks. It is the revelation of God to all people and is authoritative in all areas of life. . AUTOGRAPHA: the original handwritten documents of the bible. I believe that God inspired the original authors of scripture to divinely write his words. This means that the inerrancy of their words applies only to the original documents, the scribe who copied those scriptures and the later translators were NOT inspired by God. I do deny that the 1611 edition of the KJV is the inerrant, inspired word of God.

Do I have to do what the bible says?

June 2, 2020 • Zach McAlack

From the mouth of Jesus, he asks a question, how could you say you follow me and not do what I tell you to do? Luke 6:46-47 46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? 47 Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: Deuteronomy 6:6 indicates that the laws of God should be written on the heart and actions of each believer. 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. From the very beginning of the world it is God’s spoken word which has caused all things to be. See Genesis 1:3ff 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Exodus 20:1ff indicates that God’s laws come from his very mouth And God spoke all these words, saying, 2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 3 “You shall have no other gods before me.

Is the bible enough?

June 9, 2020 • Zach McAlack

The bible contains everything that we need to know for salvation and godly living. The bible teaches this about itself. Ephesians speaks of the testimony of the Ephesian believers who heard the word of God and believed unto salvation. Ephesians 1:13 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, Paul writes a similar testimony about the salvation of Timothy. 2 Timothy 3:14-17 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. And Peter writes of the power that has given us knowledge of all things for life and godliness. 2 Peter 1:3-4 3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

How do we know which writings belong in the bible?

June 16, 2020 • Zach McAlack

CANON The Bible as we think of it, 39 books of the OT and 27 books in the NT was fully recognized at the close of the 4th century at the council of Hippo (393) and Carthage (397). There were some disputed books leading up to that time: 2 Peter/Jude because of their similar material, James because of disagreements with Pauline theology, 2 & 3 John because of questions of origin and authorship. Marcion was one of the first to challenge the writings of the apostles asserting that the OT God was a different God than the NT God. He only included portions of Luke, Galatians, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Romans, 1 & 2Thessalonians, Ephesians (called Laodiceans), Colossians, and Philemon. He was highly debated by Tertullian who argued for the inclusion of much of the NT canon not including Hebrews, James and 1&2 Peter. By early 4th century Eusebius and Athanasius affirm almost all 27 books of the NT still having debates on the origins of 2&3 John and Jude. None of the these 4th century writers included the Gospel of Judas, Thomas or Barnabas. These writings from the time of their origin were seen as un-canonical and unorthodox. They are false writings attributed to apostles. The books of the OT were accepted mostly based on their use as the primary Jewish bible, the Apocrypha (works written between the close of the OT and the opening of the NT) were rejected Requirements for Canonicity Apostolic authority—needs to be written by an apostle or have an apostle as its primary source. The Gospels Matthew, Mark and Luke are reports created from interviews with eyewitness. Peter being the primary source for the book of Mark. The gospel of John is written by John himself who was an eyewitness which may explain why his account varies from the other three. This same authority is extended to James and Jude, brothers of Jesus. Antiquity - must belong to the apostolic age, written before 100 AD. The longest living of the 12 apostles was John, it is believed that he died in 98AD therefore no writing can be dated after that time and still be credibly attributed to the apostles. Orthodoxy ‘the apostolic faith’ - the faith set forth in the undoubted apostolic writings and maintained in the churches which had been founded by apostles becomes the standard by which all the writings must agree. This orthodox faith has been protected through the centuries and serves as a test against the proclamations of the church. Catholicity The word CATHOLIC means UNIVERSAL. The title “Roman Catholic Church” is a bit tongue in cheek when you understand the origin: the church of Rome claiming to the be the only church when the Eastern Orthodox church broke away in the Great Schism of 1054.

Who is God?

June 23, 2020 • Zach McAlack

GOD is the Creator Genesis 1 & 2, John 1 describe the creation of the world with God as its soul originator. God is eternal and creator of the world . Romans 1:20: For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. . God has eternal purpose. . Ephesians 3:11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, . God is self-sufficient Acts 17:24-27: The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us.

How can I know God?

June 30, 2020 • Zach McAlack

In God’s fullness he is unknowable (Exodus 33:20, John 1:18; 6:46; 1 Timothy 6:16, cf. Isaiah 6:1-3). In General Revelation God makes himself known through His creation, consider the words of Paul in Romans 1:20: “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” (cf. Romans 2:1; Psalm 8:3-4). In Special Revelation God has revealed himself to people and inspired prophets and apostles to write the scriptures. Exodus 3:14-15 and 33 recount Moses’ interaction with God, Romans 16:25-27, 2 Timothy 3:16. Most notably 2 Peter 1:20-21 suggests the words of scripture did not come from man but from God’s revelation: “knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” In the incarnation God is revealed in and through the person of Jesus Christ (John 1:17-18; 14:9; 1 Corinthians 15:47-49, Colossians 1:15; 2:9, cf. Isaiah 1:9-11, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Amos 5:24-27, John 1, Philippians 2:6-8).

What is God like? Part 1

July 7, 2020 • Zach McAlack

God shares many of his attributes with his creation, there is no definitive or comprehensive list of all of these attributes however, what is of important notes is that God is not IN PROCESS. Where Human beings grow in understanding, wisdom, strength, love, self-control, kindess, peace, etc. God has all of these things in their completeness and he is not growing or improving. God is never surprised by an event in history nor is he changing. God always was, always is and always will be. Consider these verses below: James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” Isaiah 46:9-10 “remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’” Psalm 147:4-6 “He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. The LORD lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground.”

What is God like? Part 2

July 14, 2020 • Zach McAlack

Omnipotence, often understood as meaning “God is all powerful” can be misunderstood. Omnipotence is not a lack of any possible power but an ability to do anything which is in accordance with his will and divine nature. God is not capable of sinning, he can do anything that is logically possible—this is not a statement against miraculous intervention by God but against old adages like “can God make a rock so big that even he can’t lift it?” (Genesis 18:13-14, Jeremiah 32:17, 21, Job 42, Psalm 115:1-8, Daniel 4:34, cf., Genesis 1, Exodus 3:13-14, Matthew 19:23-26, Luke 1, Luke 18:24-27) Omniscience points to God’s perfection in knowledge. Nothing happens in creation which God does not know about nor does anything surprise him. God is fully knowledgeable of all events past, present and future in all possible worlds with all possible outcomes (John 28:12ff, 42:1-6, Psalm 139, 147, Isaiah 55:8-9, Romans 11:33-36, Hebrews 4:12-13). God is wholly good, he never commits any evil. He is necessarily good, everything that he does is good because of the nature of his character. He is perfectly good, he is morally outstanding and nothing is lacking in his goodness (Psalm 118:1, 29, Psalm 136:1, 2 Chronicles 7:3, Ezra 3:11, Luke 18:18-19).

Can God do ANYTHING? Even Evil?

July 30, 2020 • Zach McAlack

Summary: Omnipotence can be defined two ways: what he can do (can do anything it’s logically possible for a perfect being to do) or by the powers possessed. . God is superlatively great, he is perfect, so the study of the divine attributes is a fleshing out of his perfection. . Omnipotence—perfect in power Omniscience—perfect in knowledge Omnibenevolence—perfect in goodness. If you then define omnipotence in terms of perfection, having just said that the definition of omnipotence is being perfect in power is circular reasoning and is not terribly helpful. . So omnipotence means that God lacks no possible power. If God can’t sin doesn’t that mean that he lacks the power to sin. 1. Sometimes you don’t lack the power to do something just because you can’t do it. 2. Perhaps the ability to sin is not a power. . The difference between sinning and not sinning is not a definition of power but it has to do with motives and circumstance around the use of the power in question. For example in killing: a solider may kill another and it is not sin, but a robber may kill a bank teller and it is murder, it is the same power but sin is the circumstances around the use of the power. . What two attributes does the bible emphasize over all the other? God’s Holiness and His Power. Omniscience is a form of cognitive power; it is the power to know. An omniscient being is perfectly powerful cognitively speaking. If you are omnipotent you are omniscient. The same is true of omnipresence; an omnipresent being is perfect in power and knowledge in time and space. Moreover, he would have to be eternal and in fact immutable. . . #bible #doctrine #corebelief #revelation #eternal #eternalgod #god #church #christian #merechristianity #2minutetheology #theology

The problem of Freedom and Foreknowledge

August 11, 2020 • Zach McAlack

This objections wrestles with the implications of God's Omniscience. The problem of freedom and foreknowledge is stated this way: 1. Metaphysical Libertarianism: S can perform A freely only if S could have done otherwise. 2. The past is necessary and cannot be cancelled or altered 3. God is knowing of all things past, present and future and is infallible (unable to err). Therefore: If God knows all things they are already predetermined and S is not truly free for S cannot do otherwise. See: Isaiah 42:8-9, 46:8-11, 55:8-9; Psalm 139, Romans 11:33-36, There are several possible responses: The first two are NON-CHRISTIAN 1. Open Theism—God simply does not know everything 2. Naturalist Determinism—the laws of nature cause the world to exist in the way it does and it cannot be altered. At the quantum level is pure randomness and our choice is the exercise of randomness therefore creaturely freedom is nothing more than an illusion. Possible CHRISTIAN responses 1. Theological Determinism—God has determined all things, God allows us to have the appearance of free will but free will does not actually exist. In this understanding all creatures act according to their character and desire but time is set and the future is set, we are incapable of altering it. 2. Divine Timelessness—God sees the future is the way that we experience the present. By existing outside of time God is able to know the future and we are still making the choices in our present though God already sees them as we experience them for God is present in every moment. 3. Ockhamism—I’m fuzzy on this one, it’s basically the idea that the past is “soft” and alterable through petition with God, the facts of the past are alterable until we make a choice in the present. 4. Middle Knowledge—God was able to know all potential outcomes in all potential worlds, by seeing all that would potentially be decided he willed this universe to come into existence. By nature of the other “potential” worlds existing there exists a possibility that S could have chosen B instead of A, however in this world S always chooses A.

The problem of evil

August 18, 2020 • Zach McAlack

The problem of evil I am addressing the Philosophical Problem of Evil: the assertion that it is not logical to believe in a God who is all powerful, all good and yet allows evil to exist. This video DOES NOT attempt to answer the pastoral question “why to bad things happen to good people.” 1. God exists and He is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent 2. There is evil There are three kinds of logical inconsistencies: explicit “it’s raining outside, it is not raining outside”, formal “all men are mortal, Socrates is a man, Socrates is not mortal” and implicit “A is greater than B, B Is greater than C, C is greater than A.” The usually stated problem of evil does not fall into one of these categories. We are forced to add an additional statement: 3. An omnipotent, omniscient, and perfectly good being would have no good reason for allowing evil to exist and is obligated to eradicate it. From here we can offer several suggestions as to why God made choose to allow Evil to exist: 1. the Free Will Defense: God allows evil to exist because it is required by the very nature of free will. If created beings can make decisions than they may eventually choose evil. God by allowing free will to exist must also allow evil to exist. 2. the soul making defense: The point of life is to become a godly person, without suffering in the world no person could come to a full realization of that goal. Virtue develops in adversity. Put another way “iron sharpens iron.” Perhaps God allows suffering so that we will have sufficient opportunities to face evil and develop Godly character. 3. God’s glory: God allows evil to exist so that he can destroy it in the future bringing great glory to himself.

The Trinity

August 25, 2020 • Zach McAlack

The Doctrine of the Trinity can be expressed in 3 statements. This doctrine is easy to express but impossible to fully comprehend. 1. There exists only 1 being who we call "God." 2. God exists in three beings: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit (sometimes called Holy Ghost) 3. All three beings are always existent and are fully divine There is no explicit expression of this Trinitarian formula, but the three persons are often mentioned in coordination, for example: Rom 1:1-4 "Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord," See also: Titus 3:4-6, 1 Pet 1:2, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Ephesians 4:4-6, 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, Ephesians 5:18-20, Jude 1:20-21 When the passages about are coupled with passages expressing God's unity we arrive at the Trinity doctrine. For example: Isaiah 45:5 I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; See also: Deuteronomy 6:4; John 10:30, 17:3; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 1 Timothy 2:5 I do not hold the KJV translation of 1 John 5:7-8 to be original to the scripture nor inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Where did the World Come From?

September 29, 2020 • Zach McAlack

God, through Jesus Christ, created the world and everything in it—he created all creatures in heaven and hell below, in every possible world and dimension. Everything that exists owes it origin to God The creation continues to owe its continued existence to God as he sustains it. You may have noticed that we did not discuss views of creation. The reason is that Christian Orthodoxy believes that the world was created by God but HOW is up to debate. Orthodoxy allows for a wide range of views, if ever I do a "debates" series I will include that information. For THIS series the focus is on agreement, and all Christians believe that the universe owes its origins to God. John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. Isaiah 45:12 I made the earth and created man on it; it was my hands that stretched out the heavens, and I commanded all their host. Colossians 1:15-17 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. PSALM 75:3 When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars. Psalm 139:16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

Who is Jesus?

September 8, 2020 • Zach McAlack

In the Hypostatic Union, Christ is of one body, but two natures—both human and divine—existing in one person and single substance without either suffering, diminishing or nullifying the properties of the other. John 1:1-3, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.” Colossians 2:9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, Colossians 1:16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 1 John 4:2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, Galatians 4:4-5 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

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