Exploring Faith: Worship, Healing, and Defending the Gospel

 

Summary

In this engaging session, we explored a wide range of theological and philosophical questions, reflecting on the depth and breadth of Christian doctrine and its application in our lives. The discussion began with a historical perspective on the tradition of open theological discussions, emphasizing the importance of asking questions and seeking understanding in faith. We delved into various topics, including the nature of biblical worship, the significance of the atonement, and the role of suffering in the Christian life.

One of the key discussions centered around the interpretation of Isaiah 53:5 and its implications for physical healing in the atonement. It was highlighted that while healing is indeed part of the atonement, the timing and nature of this healing are subjects of debate. The New Testament teaches that suffering and affliction are part of the Christian experience in this life, with ultimate healing and the end of suffering promised in glory.

We also addressed the critical issues facing the modern church, such as the clarity of the gospel, the understanding of Jesus' person and work, and the doctrine of justification. These foundational truths must be boldly and clearly proclaimed in every generation to guard against heresy and misunderstanding. The discussion further touched on the sufficiency of Scripture, emphasizing that while Scripture is sufficient for salvation, it is not the sole source of all knowledge, as God also reveals Himself through nature.

The session concluded with reflections on the end times, the role of spiritual experiences, and the importance of living by the Word rather than feelings. The need for a robust defense of the faith was underscored, recognizing that while intellectual arguments are valuable, the Holy Spirit's work is essential in transforming hearts.

Key Takeaways:

- The Nature of Worship: Worship is designed for believers to come together for corporate worship, study of the Word, and sacraments. Designing worship for unbelievers misses the biblical purpose of worship and can lead to dangerous tendencies. Worship should focus on the transcendence and holiness of God. [05:08]

- Healing in the Atonement: While healing is part of the atonement, the New Testament teaches that suffering and affliction are part of the Christian life. Ultimate healing is promised in glory, not necessarily in this life. This understanding aligns with the broader biblical narrative of suffering and redemption. [06:05]

- The Gospel and Justification: The gospel must be clearly and boldly proclaimed in every generation. The doctrine of justification by faith alone is central to the gospel and must be defended against heretical teachings. Understanding Jesus' person and work is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the gospel message. [13:13]

- Sufficiency of Scripture: Scripture is sufficient for salvation, teaching us about Christ and redemption. However, God also reveals Himself through nature, and this general revelation complements the special revelation of Scripture. The sufficiency of Scripture means it contains all we need for salvation, not all knowledge. [15:41]

- Defense of the Faith: While intellectual arguments for the existence of God are valuable, the Holy Spirit's work is essential in transforming hearts. Apologetics serves to prepare for evangelism, strengthen believers, and provide a rational basis for faith. Faith is not a leap into the absurd but a step into the light of truth. [28:08]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to the Session
- [00:25] - History of Theological Discussions
- [01:20] - Topics of Discussion
- [02:31] - Lightning Round Introduction
- [03:11] - Saul and the Witch of Endor
- [04:37] - Purpose of Church Worship
- [05:21] - Healing in the Atonement
- [06:35] - 49 Years of Ministry
- [08:33] - Significant Spiritual Experiences
- [10:17] - Heroes of the Faith
- [12:37] - Modern 95 Theses
- [14:28] - Sufficiency of Scripture
- [15:58] - Defending Sola Scriptura
- [23:42] - Romans 1:18 and Defense of Christianity
- [29:49] - King David and the Ark
- [31:33] - Casting of Lots Today
- [34:31] - Evidence of Adam and Eve's Repentance
- [36:51] - Are We in the End Times?
- [41:24] - Partial Preterist View
- [46:34] - Theology and Vocation
- [49:46] - Understanding Divine Calling
- [51:45] - Church's Response to Homosexual Marriage
- [54:07] - Significance of Ordinary Means
- [58:06] - Testimony of Arnaldo
- [03:43] - Church History and Roman Catholicism
- [06:42] - Writing Children's Books
- [08:06] - Reformed View on Vocation
- [10:13] - Lightning Round
- [13:41] - Closing Reflections

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Isaiah 53:5 - "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."
2. Romans 1:18 - "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth."
3. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

Observation Questions:
1. What does Isaiah 53:5 suggest about the nature and timing of healing in the atonement? How does this align with the broader biblical narrative of suffering and redemption? [05:21]
2. According to Romans 1:18, what is the reason for God's wrath being revealed from heaven? How does this passage relate to the idea of suppressing the truth? [23:56]
3. How does 2 Timothy 3:16-17 describe the purpose and sufficiency of Scripture? What does it mean for Scripture to be "profitable for teaching"? [15:41]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the understanding of healing in the atonement affect a Christian's perspective on suffering and affliction in this life? [06:05]
2. In what ways does the suppression of truth, as mentioned in Romans 1:18, manifest in contemporary society? How should Christians respond to this suppression? [24:43]
3. What implications does the sufficiency of Scripture have for Christians seeking knowledge and understanding outside of the Bible? How should they balance this with the general revelation of God through nature? [15:41]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced suffering or affliction. How did your understanding of healing in the atonement influence your response to that situation? [06:05]
2. Consider the ways in which you might be suppressing the truth in your own life. What steps can you take to confront and address these areas? [24:43]
3. How can you ensure that your worship practices focus on the transcendence and holiness of God, rather than being designed for unbelievers? What changes might you need to make in your personal or corporate worship? [05:08]
4. In what ways can you boldly and clearly proclaim the gospel in your daily interactions? How can you defend the doctrine of justification by faith alone in conversations with others? [13:13]
5. How can you incorporate the sufficiency of Scripture into your daily life, ensuring that it guides your decisions and actions? What role does general revelation play in your understanding of God? [15:41]
6. Reflect on a recent spiritual experience. How did it impact your faith, and how can you ensure that your faith is grounded in the Word rather than in feelings or experiences? [10:17]
7. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to defend your faith. What resources or strategies can you use to strengthen your apologetic approach? [28:08]

Devotional

Day 1: Worship Reflects God's Transcendence and Holiness
Worship is not merely a gathering for believers but a profound encounter with the transcendence and holiness of God. It is designed for believers to come together for corporate worship, study of the Word, and sacraments. When worship is tailored for unbelievers, it risks missing its biblical purpose and can lead to dangerous tendencies. True worship should focus on the majesty and holiness of God, drawing believers into a deeper understanding and reverence for His divine nature. This understanding helps maintain the integrity and purpose of worship as a sacred act of devotion and adoration. [05:08]

"Let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12:28-29, ESV)

Reflection: How can you prepare your heart and mind to focus on God's holiness and transcendence during your next worship service?


Day 2: Healing and Suffering in the Christian Life
The concept of healing in the atonement is a profound aspect of Christian theology. While healing is indeed part of the atonement, the New Testament teaches that suffering and affliction are integral to the Christian experience in this life. Ultimate healing is promised in glory, not necessarily in this life. This understanding aligns with the broader biblical narrative of suffering and redemption, where believers are called to endure hardships with the hope of eternal restoration. Recognizing this helps Christians navigate the challenges of life with faith and perseverance, trusting in God's ultimate plan for redemption and healing. [06:05]

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (Romans 8:18, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you find hope and strength in the promise of ultimate healing and redemption, even amidst current suffering?


Day 3: The Gospel's Clarity and Justification by Faith
The gospel must be clearly and boldly proclaimed in every generation, with the doctrine of justification by faith alone at its core. This foundational truth is central to the gospel and must be defended against heretical teachings. Understanding Jesus' person and work is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the gospel message. By grasping these truths, believers can confidently share the gospel, ensuring that its message remains untainted and powerful in transforming lives. This clarity is essential for the church to fulfill its mission of spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. [13:13]

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: How can you ensure that your understanding and sharing of the gospel remain clear and faithful to the doctrine of justification by faith alone?


Day 4: The Sufficiency of Scripture and God's Revelation
Scripture is sufficient for salvation, teaching us about Christ and redemption. However, God also reveals Himself through nature, and this general revelation complements the special revelation of Scripture. The sufficiency of Scripture means it contains all we need for salvation, not all knowledge. This understanding encourages believers to value and study the Bible while also recognizing God's presence and revelation in the world around them. By appreciating both forms of revelation, Christians can grow in their faith and understanding of God's character and purposes. [15:41]

"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge." (Psalm 19:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate both Scripture and the observation of God's creation into your daily spiritual practices to deepen your understanding of Him?


Day 5: Defending the Faith with the Holy Spirit's Guidance
While intellectual arguments for the existence of God are valuable, the Holy Spirit's work is essential in transforming hearts. Apologetics serves to prepare for evangelism, strengthen believers, and provide a rational basis for faith. Faith is not a leap into the absurd but a step into the light of truth. By relying on the Holy Spirit's guidance, believers can effectively defend their faith and engage with others in meaningful conversations about God. This approach ensures that the defense of the faith is not merely an intellectual exercise but a Spirit-led endeavor that impacts lives. [28:08]

"But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." (1 Peter 3:15, ESV)

Reflection: How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to guide your conversations and interactions when defending your faith to others?

Quotes


The church is designed as the body of Christ and Sanctuary on Sunday morning is specifically a place for the people of God to come together for corporate worship and for the study of the apostolic word and to make use of the sacraments and the other means of Grace there now of course uh people who are unbelievers are welcome to attend but the minute you design worship for the unbeliever I think you've missed the whole point of biblical worship and it's a very dangerous tendency that we're seeing today. [00:04:41]

Well whether healing is in the atonement of course is is clear in terms of Isaiah 53 it is but when that healing take place takes place is a matter of great debate there are many people who claim this passage to mean that because of the atonements already been rendered by Christ and he's offered that healing then we should not as Christians ever suffer any kind of Affliction or sickness I think that goes a contrary on a collision course with everything the New Testament teaches about the suffering of the Saints both of disease and afflictions in this life prior to glory and when we get the glory it'll be the end of all disease all illness all death which is one of the consequences of the perfect atonement that was made by Jesus. [00:05:21]

The gospel which is in danger of being ured in the 21st century as it has been many times in the past and we talk about the motto of the 16th century Reformation post tenos looks after Darkness light the gospel had been hidden during the Dark Ages and now it came back to light and that's happening again and again and again the gospel has to be republished with Clarity and boldness in every generation closely linked to that is our understanding of of Jesus throughout church history there have been four centuries where the church's understanding of the person and work of Christ were critical and were profoundly challenged by Heretics and unbelievers. [00:12:37]

The sufficiency of scripture is is a matter of controversy today and there's some ambiguity about that Lee some people understand the sufficiency of scripture to mean that all we need to know about anything comes to us from the Bible but remember there's another theater of divine revelation that the Bible itself tells us that God reveals himself not only in scripture but also through the heavens that declare his glory and through nature and through the study the study of what we call General Revelation goes beyond what we learn in the scripture now it never contradicts the scripture the same source is for both God and all the rest but some people think that the sufficiency of scripture means all you need to know is the B I need don't need to know anything else however what's the sufficiency of scripture means historically is that all we need to know for our Salvation is found in the pages of scripture in that sense scripture is totally sufficient to teach us of Christ and of the gospel and of our Redemption. [00:14:28]

I can remember uh being invited to speak uh giving the case for the existence of God on a college campus to The Atheist Club there and I went through a defense of uh theism and so on but I went back to the Romans passage and I said now I'm happy to try to discuss with you all the intellectual questions that are Eng involved in trying to prove and demonstrate the existence of God but I want to put my cards on the table up front and tell you in light of what the Apostle teaches here I'm persuaded that I'm carrying Kohl's to Newcastle because you already know very well that there is a God and your problem is not that you don't know that God exists your problem is you hate the God that you know exists so your problems in the final analysis not an intellectual one it's a moral one so you you got to know that's where I'm coming from or they were ready to torn feather me you know what was their reaction they were they were epiplectic they were absolutely Furious about it but again what I was referring to was that Paul's teaching in Romans 1 where he makes it clear that God has revealed himself through the creation to every human being and that that Revelation is not obscure but that it is in the Greek Fon Ross the Latin Manifesto It's manifest it's clear and there are some the iians to say yes there is a clear revelation of himself from God that he gives in and through nature or through the created order but because of the sinfulness of human beings and our fallen nature and the effects of sin Upon Our Minds that Revelation doesn't get through we block it we suppress it we flee from it so it never really gets through but that's not what Paul says because the Judgment that he expresses there is this knowing god they refus to honor him as God nor were they grateful this is the basis for the universal indictment of the whole human race under the wrath of God not because the one excuse that is taken away is ignorance no one on the Judgment Day can plead ignorance of God because he has revealed himself and that revelation gets through again the problem is that Fallen man refuses to acknowledge what he knows to be true. [00:23:42]

While the sufficiency of scripture is a matter of controversy today and there's some ambiguity about that Lee some people understand the sufficiency of scripture to mean that all we need to know about anything comes to us from the Bible but remember there's another theater of divine revelation that the Bible itself tells us that God reveals himself not only in scripture but also through the heavens that declare his glory and through nature and through the study the study of what we call General Revelation goes beyond what we learn in the scripture now it never contradicts the scripture the same source is for both God and all the rest but some people think that the sufficiency of scripture means all you need to know is the B I need don't need to know anything else however what's the sufficiency of scripture means historically is that all we need to know for our Salvation is found in the pages of scripture in that sense scripture is totally sufficient to teach us of Christ and of the gospel and of our Redemption. [00:15:41]

The sufficiency of scripture is is a matter of controversy today and there's some ambiguity about that Lee some people understand the sufficiency of scripture to mean that all we need to know about anything comes to us from the Bible but remember there's another theater of divine revelation that the Bible itself tells us that God reveals himself not only in scripture but also through the heavens that declare his glory and through nature and through the study the study of what we call General Revelation goes beyond what we learn in the scripture now it never contradicts the scripture the same source is for both God and all the rest but some people think that the sufficiency of scripture means all you need to know is the B I need don't need to know anything else however what's the sufficiency of scripture means historically is that all we need to know for our Salvation is found in the pages of scripture in that sense scripture is totally sufficient to teach us of Christ and of the gospel and of our Redemption. [00:15:41]

I can remember uh being invited to speak uh giving the case for the existence of God on a college campus to The Atheist Club there and I went through a defense of uh theism and so on but I went back to the Romans passage and I said now I'm happy to try to discuss with you all the intellectual questions that are Eng involved in trying to prove and demonstrate the existence of God but I want to put my cards on the table up front and tell you in light of what the Apostle teaches here I'm persuaded that I'm carrying Kohl's to Newcastle because you already know very well that there is a God and your problem is not that you don't know that God exists your problem is you hate the God that you know exists so your problems in the final analysis not an intellectual one it's a moral one so you you got to know that's where I'm coming from or they were ready to torn feather me you know what was their reaction they were they were epiplectic they were absolutely Furious about it but again what I was referring to was that Paul's teaching in Romans 1 where he makes it clear that God has revealed himself through the creation to every human being and that that Revelation is not obscure but that it is in the Greek Fon Ross the Latin Manifesto It's manifest it's clear and there are some the iians to say yes there is a clear revelation of himself from God that he gives in and through nature or through the created order but because of the sinfulness of human beings and our fallen nature and the effects of sin Upon Our Minds that Revelation doesn't get through we block it we suppress it we flee from it so it never really gets through but that's not what Paul says because the Judgment that he expresses there is this knowing god they refus to honor him as God nor were they grateful this is the basis for the universal indictment of the whole human race under the wrath of God not because the one excuse that is taken away is ignorance no one on the Judgment Day can plead ignorance of God because he has revealed himself and that revelation gets through again the problem is that Fallen man refuses to acknowledge what he knows to be true. [00:23:42]

While the sufficiency of scripture is a matter of controversy today and there's some ambiguity about that Lee some people understand the sufficiency of scripture to mean that all we need to know about anything comes to us from the Bible but remember there's another theater of divine revelation that the Bible itself tells us that God reveals himself not only in scripture but also through the heavens that declare his glory and through nature and through the study the study of what we call General Revelation goes beyond what we learn in the scripture now it never contradicts the scripture the same source is for both God and all the rest but some people think that the sufficiency of scripture means all you need to know is the B I need don't need to know anything else however what's the sufficiency of scripture means historically is that all we need to know for our Salvation is found in the pages of scripture in that sense scripture is totally sufficient to teach us of Christ and of the gospel and of our Redemption. [00:15:41]

The sufficiency of scripture is is a matter of controversy today and there's some ambiguity about that Lee some people understand the sufficiency of scripture to mean that all we need to know about anything comes to us from the Bible but remember there's another theater of divine revelation that the Bible itself tells us that God reveals himself not only in scripture but also through the heavens that declare his glory and through nature and through the study the study of what we call General Revelation goes beyond what we learn in the scripture now it never contradicts the scripture the same source is for both God and all the rest but some people think that the sufficiency of scripture means all you need to know is the B I need don't need to know anything else however what's the sufficiency of scripture means historically is that all we need to know for our Salvation is found in the pages of scripture in that sense scripture is totally sufficient to teach us of Christ and of the gospel and of our Redemption. [00:15:41]

I can remember uh being invited to speak uh giving the case for the existence of God on a college campus to The Atheist Club there and I went through a defense of uh theism and so on but I went back to the Romans passage and I said now I'm happy to try to discuss with you all the intellectual questions that are Eng involved in trying to prove and demonstrate the existence of God but I want to put my cards on the table up front and tell you in light of what the Apostle teaches here I'm persuaded that I'm carrying Kohl's to Newcastle because you already know very well that there is a God and your problem is not that you don't know that God exists your problem is you hate the God that you know exists so your problems in the final analysis not an intellectual one it's a moral one so you you got to know that's where I'm coming from or they were ready to torn feather me you know what was their reaction they were they were epiplectic they were absolutely Furious about it but again what I was referring to was that Paul's teaching in Romans 1 where he makes it clear that God has revealed himself through the creation to every human being and that that Revelation is not obscure but that it is in the Greek Fon Ross the Latin Manifesto It's manifest it's clear and there are some the iians to say yes there is a clear revelation of himself from God that he gives in and through nature or through the created order but because of the sinfulness of human beings and our fallen nature and the effects of sin Upon Our Minds that Revelation doesn't get through we block it we suppress it we flee from it so it never really gets through but that's not what Paul says because the Judgment that he expresses there is this knowing god they refus to honor him as God nor were they grateful this is the basis for the universal indictment of the whole human race under the wrath of God not because the one excuse that is taken away is ignorance no one on the Judgment Day can plead ignorance of God because he has revealed himself and that revelation gets through again the problem is that Fallen man refuses to acknowledge what he knows to be true. [00:23:42]

While the sufficiency of scripture is a matter of controversy today and there's some ambiguity about that Lee some people understand the sufficiency of scripture to mean that all we need to know about anything comes to us from the Bible but remember there's another theater of divine revelation that the Bible itself tells us that God reveals himself not only in scripture but also through the heavens that declare his glory and through nature and through the study the study of what we call General Revelation goes beyond what we learn in the scripture now it never contradicts the scripture the same source is for both God and all the rest but some people think that the sufficiency of scripture means all you need to know is the B I need don't need to know anything else however what's the sufficiency of scripture means historically is that all we need to know for our Salvation is found in the pages of scripture in that sense scripture is totally sufficient to teach us of Christ and of the gospel and of our Redemption. [00:15:41]

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