In our day, the ti t le father invokes images of a remote-control-hoarding couch-potato or bumbli... more In our day, the ti t le father invokes images of a remote-control-hoarding couch-potato or bumbling handyman, obsessed wi th power tools that he doesn't know how to use. He is cast dai ly on sitcoms as an egomaniacal , emot ional ly-cal lused and intel lectuallychallenged megalomaniac, as car ing toward his chi ldren as a bull buf falo t rampling his young. Though dramat ized for comedic value, this sad sat i re is not altogether f ictional. Fathering by default has become a rather common thing in our day. Sadly, in some cases, fathers hav e done unspeakable harm to thei r chi ldren, even sexual ly abusing them.
The great controversy theme saturates the book of Judges. The historical context is portrayed as ... more The great controversy theme saturates the book of Judges. The historical context is portrayed as chaotic, in large measure due to the conflicting ethical views of people whose allegiance is either with Yahweh or Baal. Case studies of Deborah, Gideon and Samson illustrate the intensification of this struggle which ebbs and flows in unexpected ways
The author discusses the unfolding nature of God\u27s covenant relationship with his people throu... more The author discusses the unfolding nature of God\u27s covenant relationship with his people through successive prophets from the time before exile, right through to the time of restoration. In the process, three main interconnected concepts of the land, the temple and the people, are explored in relationship to God. It is when these concepts intersect that God\u27s intimacy with his people can be seen
This study examines various approaches to the understanding of the father-God concept, recognizin... more This study examines various approaches to the understanding of the father-God concept, recognizing that much that has been said up to this point has been heavily influenced by sources other than either the Hebrew Scriptures or their Ancient Near Eastern (ANE) context. It briefly traces the development of the concept from the time of Origen through to modern times, noticing that biblical texts have been minimized through Greco-Roman paradigms or anthropocentric concerns. This is followed by a brief survey of Sumerian, Akkadian, Egyptian and Ugaritic concepts of their father-gods which are then compared and contrasted with references to the Hebrew Scriptures. The resulting picture may be more different than commonly accepted.
“Satan’s efforts to misrepresent the character of God, to cause men to cherish a false conception... more “Satan’s efforts to misrepresent the character of God, to cause men to cherish a false conception of the Creator, and thus to regard Him with fear and hate rather than with love; his endeavors to set aside the divine law, leading the people to think themselves free from its requirements: and his persecution of those who dare to resist his deceptions, have been steadfastly pursued in all ages. They may be traced in the history of patriarchs, prophets, and apostles, of martyrs and reformers.” –Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, pp. 12, 13. In answer to this tragedy, God, who had foreseen all this happening “before the foundation of the world” (Eph. 1:4), put in place His rescue plan. God has pledged to bear in Himself the full responsibility for all human rebellion and to suffer the consequences for every evil we have committed. Only in this way could God restore His relationship with the human race, relationships between humans, and humanity’s relationship with the rest of creation. This is the story of Rebellion and Redemption
In our day, the ti t le father invokes images of a remote-control-hoarding couch-potato or bumbli... more In our day, the ti t le father invokes images of a remote-control-hoarding couch-potato or bumbling handyman, obsessed wi th power tools that he doesn't know how to use. He is cast dai ly on sitcoms as an egomaniacal , emot ional ly-cal lused and intel lectuallychallenged megalomaniac, as car ing toward his chi ldren as a bull buf falo t rampling his young. Though dramat ized for comedic value, this sad sat i re is not altogether f ictional. Fathering by default has become a rather common thing in our day. Sadly, in some cases, fathers hav e done unspeakable harm to thei r chi ldren, even sexual ly abusing them.
The great controversy theme saturates the book of Judges. The historical context is portrayed as ... more The great controversy theme saturates the book of Judges. The historical context is portrayed as chaotic, in large measure due to the conflicting ethical views of people whose allegiance is either with Yahweh or Baal. Case studies of Deborah, Gideon and Samson illustrate the intensification of this struggle which ebbs and flows in unexpected ways
The author discusses the unfolding nature of God\u27s covenant relationship with his people throu... more The author discusses the unfolding nature of God\u27s covenant relationship with his people through successive prophets from the time before exile, right through to the time of restoration. In the process, three main interconnected concepts of the land, the temple and the people, are explored in relationship to God. It is when these concepts intersect that God\u27s intimacy with his people can be seen
This study examines various approaches to the understanding of the father-God concept, recognizin... more This study examines various approaches to the understanding of the father-God concept, recognizing that much that has been said up to this point has been heavily influenced by sources other than either the Hebrew Scriptures or their Ancient Near Eastern (ANE) context. It briefly traces the development of the concept from the time of Origen through to modern times, noticing that biblical texts have been minimized through Greco-Roman paradigms or anthropocentric concerns. This is followed by a brief survey of Sumerian, Akkadian, Egyptian and Ugaritic concepts of their father-gods which are then compared and contrasted with references to the Hebrew Scriptures. The resulting picture may be more different than commonly accepted.
“Satan’s efforts to misrepresent the character of God, to cause men to cherish a false conception... more “Satan’s efforts to misrepresent the character of God, to cause men to cherish a false conception of the Creator, and thus to regard Him with fear and hate rather than with love; his endeavors to set aside the divine law, leading the people to think themselves free from its requirements: and his persecution of those who dare to resist his deceptions, have been steadfastly pursued in all ages. They may be traced in the history of patriarchs, prophets, and apostles, of martyrs and reformers.” –Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, pp. 12, 13. In answer to this tragedy, God, who had foreseen all this happening “before the foundation of the world” (Eph. 1:4), put in place His rescue plan. God has pledged to bear in Himself the full responsibility for all human rebellion and to suffer the consequences for every evil we have committed. Only in this way could God restore His relationship with the human race, relationships between humans, and humanity’s relationship with the rest of creation. This is the story of Rebellion and Redemption
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