Papers by Vaughn Wallenstein
The essay delves into the theological implications of the Day of the Lord as portrayed in the boo... more The essay delves into the theological implications of the Day of the Lord as portrayed in the book of Amos. Set against the backdrop of social injustice, economic exploitation, and religious corruption in the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the 8th century BCE, Amos's prophetic message serves as a sobering reminder of God's covenantal relationship with His people and the consequences of covenant unfaithfulness. The Day of the Lord, often perceived as a time of divine judgment and intervention, is intricately woven into Amos's warnings of impending doom for Israel. While the people of Israel anticipated this day as a time of triumph over their enemies, Amos challenges their misconceptions, revealing that the Day of the Lord will bring judgment upon Israel itself for its sins. Through vivid imagery and prophetic warnings, Amos highlights the urgency of repentance and reconciliation as the only path to avert the impending judgment. Despite the impending doom, there is a glimmer of hope for restoration and redemption, rooted in God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. The Day of the Lord, while a day of darkness and judgment, also holds the promise of reconciliation and renewal for those who turn back to God in repentance, offering a glimpse of hope amidst the impending judgment. Through Amos's prophetic message, the essay underscores the tension between divine judgment and divine mercy, ultimately pointing towards the redemptive purposes of God and His desire to reconcile His people
Genesis 1, the creation story, and this is where the triune God speaks man into existence. It is ... more Genesis 1, the creation story, and this is where the triune God speaks man into existence. It is a common theme in Christian circles and traditions to affirm that all of mankind is created in the image of our heavenly Father, it is an easy affirmation that gives validity and meaning to human beings, separating us from the rest of creation, affirming that we are not merely another animal, but we were given dominion over all of creation by God in the beginning. 1 Verse 26 continues "And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." When God created man, he created them, both man and woman in His own likeness, and he gave mankind a task, he gave mankind a job, to have dominion over all of the earth and over all of creation. This is a God given task and God given distinction given only to man, not to any other creature within creation. This separates man from all other creatures in creation. The Lord in his infinite wisdom and goodness separated man from other creation, giving him dignity and domain like no other. Yet, even with this divine commandment, as we know man fell short, sin entered the world through the first of mankind, Adam and Eve. Even though sin has entered the world and sin has made our ability to be image bearers like the Lord intended and to have domain like the Lord intended impossible, we still have that sacred responsibility and privilege. Sin has affected every aspect of creation, but it has not totally destroyed it. In this essay we will explore the initial plan for God's creation, man's ability to be an image bearer and our distinction of having dominion over the rest of creation.
Romans and the Corinthians have helped theologians over the centuries develop theological thought... more Romans and the Corinthians have helped theologians over the centuries develop theological thought and dialogue. However, in his writings Paul, like other Biblical authors never used the term "trinity", this is no real surprise as the term was not widespread in the Biblical text itself and was not entirely defined until the Nicene Council where it was defined by what it is not. 1 However, some secular scholars, and even some "Christian" scholars attest that Paul along with other New Testament writers were not Trinitarian at all. Paul, prior to his conversion was a well educated Jew, he was as stated in Acts 23:6 "a Pharisee, a son of Pharisee's", so it is without doubt that Paul was more than familiar with the Jewish law and a devout Jew. He was a monotheist, and this is what some critics will point to towards their arguments that Paul was not in fact Trinitarian. Yet we know that Paul was Trinitarian, he was an Apostle of Jesus Christ, one whom had a personal encounter with Jesus following the death and resurrection of Christ, in this paper we will look at how the Apostle
Drafts by Vaughn Wallenstein
Uploads
Papers by Vaughn Wallenstein
Drafts by Vaughn Wallenstein