| LESSON 1 "One of the first internal evidences that the Bible is truly God's word is seen in its unity. Even though it is really sixty-six individual books, written on three continents, in three different languages, over a period of approximately 1500 years, by more than 40 authors (who came from many occupations of life), the Bible remains one unified book from beginning to end without contradiction." This was a very insightful portion which is simple to understand and appreciate. It shows the bible truly is the undefiled word of God which is God breathed and useful for teaching; correcting; rebuking and training in righteousness. In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God. He was in the beginning with God. A lot of faiths claim to be the way to a god, but the thing is Christianity is the only faith that doesn't require works to bridge the gap between man and God because God has put out all the effort to mediate between us and him, and God has done this through his word. LESSON 2/3 With over 300 messianic prophecies in the Old Testament this portion of the Bible is indispensable. This study made me look at the common threads the 2 parts of the bible share. The old testament is the new testament concealed. ie: poetic; stories. The new testament is the old testament revealed. It shows how God has been staging things right from the very beginning. We were once called to physical circumcision and physical sacrifices, but now circumcision is done by the spirit not by the written code. As it says in Romans a man is not a jew if he is merely one outwardly, no a man is a jew if he is one inwardly. But God never has made circumcision the way to him. No. It is and always has been obedience, not sacrifice God required of us. He wanted us to destroy idols and to show compassion to orphans and widows and not to obey him superficially. As for the 10 commandments and which one to follow. Jesus says the sum of the law and the prophets is this, Love the Lord your God and love your neighbour as yourself. These 2 commandments balance each other out. If all we do is love God without considering our neighbour we become shut in monks that only pray and forget about outreach. If all we do is love our neighbour we become humanists and deify our own ways and only do what is politically correct. These 2 commands sum up the law and Gods requirements and if anything else does not correspond with these then I through the discernment God has given me I will reject the lies. I fully plan to write another essay pertaining to the rest of this course. I just thought I would break it up and at least send one portion to show you I am still interested in this course and have not put it off. Thank you. Rev. Colin Burgess.
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Friday, March 05, 2010
Master of Religion
