Bible in Life

The apostle Paul says that the Law is "holy and righteous and good" (Romans 7:12). But he also says that Law's job is done. Why is this? What's wrong with the Law? 

Paul answers that question in Romans 7-8. He tells us the Law was weak. And because the Law was weak, it was never intended to be the final answer to sin and death. In fact, in Galatians 3 Paul argues that the Law was never primary or meant to be permanent. It was given for a specific purpose and a specific time period.

 

Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways

 

Support this ministry:

Set up a one-time or monthly donation at the link below.

http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/

 

The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

https://www.listenerscommentary.com

 

Connect with me:

Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram

Email - john@johnwhittaker.net

If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.

Why Leviticus? 

Let's be honest, Leviticus isn't the most exciting reading! Sacrifices, priests, food laws, and other rituals too. What's the value of all of this?

I this episode, we reflect the purpose of Leviticus, noting that the whole book revolves around the idea of holiness. How can Israel be holy as God is holy? We discuss:

-that Leviticus is like a procedures manual for the priests. 

-the purposes of sacrifices

-the main point of the food laws

-and how all of that is intended to mark Israel out as God's holy people.

 

Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways

 

Support this ministry:

Set up a one-time or monthly donation at the link below.

http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/

 

The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

https://www.listenerscommentary.com

 

Connect with me:

Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram

Email - john@johnwhittaker.net

If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.

Since the Old Testament Law is still God's word for us (even though it's not God's covenant with us), how can we read it profitably? What was its original purpose? Of what benefit is it for us today?

Exodus 19:4-6 comes right between the Exodus (redemption) and the giving of the covenant and the Law. It states the purpose of the the nation of Israel - and thus the Law for Israel - like this: 

⁴ ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. ⁵ Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.Although the whole earth is mine, ⁶ you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’

The apostle applies these words to Christians in 1 Peter 2:9-10 ... so our purpose is the same, and the Law can help us live that purpose out more fully. 

Tune in to this episode to hear these ideas fleshed out more fully. 

Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways

 

Support this ministry:

Set up a one-time or monthly donation at the link below.

http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/

 

The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

https://www.listenerscommentary.com

 

Connect with me:

Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram

Email - john@johnwhittaker.net

If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.

One of the really important things to remember when reading the Bible is that we're not the original audience. The Bible was written for us but not to us. And this is doubly so with the Old Testament Law. 

The Law was God's covenant with Israel, to form them as His holy people - a "kingdom of priests and a holy nation" (Exodus 19:5-6). It is Israel's national charter. So it's not God's covenant with us today. Our covenant with God is in Christ, not the Law.

Nevertheless, the Law teaches us a ton about God's values, priorities, aims, and ambitions. It shows us how some of those worked out in a particular culture and context. And from that we can discern wisdom for today. 

 

Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways

 

Support this ministry:

Set up a one-time or monthly donation at the link below.

http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/

 

The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

https://www.listenerscommentary.com

 

Connect with me:

Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram

Email - john@johnwhittaker.net

If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.

Probably the most common thing Christ say about the Old Testament law is that it was a bunch rules that were all about works salvation. And since they couldn't keep all the rules it shows that no one can earn their salvation. 

But that's a fundamental misunderstanding of the Old Testament law. 

In fact, if you read it, you could never say that because that's not at all how the story goes. So to understand the Law, we need to recognize that it's part of a story, Israel's story. And we need to pay attention to the flow of that story and where the Law fits into it. 

Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways

 

Support this ministry:

Set up a one-time or monthly donation at the link below.

http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/

 

The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

https://www.listenerscommentary.com

 

Connect with me:

Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram

Email - john@johnwhittaker.net

If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.

Is the Old Testament Law a burden or a blessing? 

Christians often denigrate the Old Testament as just a bunch of rules and rituals that people had to keep to try to earn their salvation, but they never could keep all those rules. So that's why Jesus came and set us free from the Law. Is that an accurate portrayal of what the Law was intended to do and be? 

How should we approach the Old Testament Law? 

If you've ever struggled to read books like Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy and wondered what all those rules and rituals were about then this episode (and series) is for you.

Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways

 

Support this ministry:

Set up a one-time or monthly donation at the link below.

http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/

 

The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

https://www.listenerscommentary.com

 

Connect with me:

Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram

Email - john@johnwhittaker.net

As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.

Resurrection. 

If Jesus didn't rise from the dead then He's a fraud and Christianity is a sham. So does it make any sense to believe that Jesus rose from the dead? Is there any evidence?

Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways

 

Support this ministry:

Set up a one-time or monthly donation at the link below.

http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/

 

The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

https://www.listenerscommentary.com

 

Connect with me:

Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram

Email - john@johnwhittaker.net

 

As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.

On this episode we explore several questions that challenge our faith in God and Jesus.

Question #1 - Why does God seem so invisible, unknown and unresponsive?

Question #2 - What makes belief in Jesus the exclusive way to true life, here, now, and after death?

Questions #3 - If the church has often hurt its neighbors through violence, racism, sexism etc., what does that tell us about how we should trust what traditions and beliefs it has passed to us? In short, why should we believe in Christianity when the church sucks?

These are real and important questions, so let's explore them together.

Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways

 

Support this ministry (currently we are about 50-55% funded for bare minimum monthly need):

Set up a one-time or monthly donation at the link below.

http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/

 

The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

https://www.listenerscommentary.com

 

Connect with me:

Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram

Email - john@johnwhittaker.net

 

As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.

If Jesus is the Messiah, why don't Jews believe in Him? This has been a question since the days of the apostles … who were Jews by the way. In fact, this really is the question that lies behind Romans 9-11. 

And how can a loving forgiving God condemn people for following the "wrong religion" with strong faith and morality? Are people actually condemned for "following the wrong religion"? 

 

Book: The Case for Christ 

 

Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways

 

Support this ministry:

Set up a one-time or monthly donation at the link below.

http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/

 

The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

https://www.listenerscommentary.com

 

Connect with me:

Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram

Email - john@johnwhittaker.net

 

As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.

 

Note: some links are affiliate links

On Questions of Doubt, pt. 6 (More Questions about the Bible), one of the the things we touched on was inspiration meaning that God supervised the writing of the Bible. In response, one listener had several questions: 

• If the Bible is inspired or “supervised by God” then does He still do that? 
• Why is Scripture complete?
• Why are other works (both ancient and modern texts) not considered inspired scripture? What if they don’t contradict scripture?
• If God supervised scripture, does that have to mean it has no prescriptive errors that aren’t necessarily sinful but cultural? Would God have compelled the authors to edit those things out?

These a good questions and at the heart of most of them lies the question of the canon - that is, the official books of the Bible. Why are there only these books of the Bible? Why do some Bibles have more books? How were the books decided upon? 

 

Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways

 

Support this ministry:

Set up a one-time or monthly donation at the link below.

http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/

 

The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

https://www.listenerscommentary.com

 

Connect with me:

Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram

Email - john@johnwhittaker.net

As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.