opinions and musings

I have heard some people say that the teaching of Jesus as lover of our soul is a distortion and a descent into sensual and carnal religion. I disagree. I think that the Psalms, the Song of Solomon, the prophet Isaiah, the gospel of Matthew, the gospel of John, Ephesians, Revelation and many other Biblical books all represent Jesus as a Bridegroom who is calling forth a Bride from among His covenant people. In the Old Testament the Hebrew Prophets use this metaphor many times to describe the relationship of God with His covenant people Israel. (see Isaiah 54:5, Jeremiah 2:1-3, 3:14, 31:32, Ezekiel 16:1-14, Hosea 2:14-20) In the New Testament letter to the Ephesians the apostle Paul also tells us that human marriage is a representation of God's relationship with His people. Husbands are instructed to love their wives in the same manner that Christ loves the ekklesia (the church). Wives are instructed to honor and submit to their husbands in the same way that the ekklesia hono

Ever notice that the gospel of Jesus that we find in the New Testament is not the gospel that is being preached in most American churches? Jesus came to Israel proclaiming a very concise but powerful message. Let’s read it in Mark’s gospel, the first chapter: “Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee , preaching the gospel of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." (Mark 1:14-15) For the sake of brevity let’s focus on these two questions: a. What is the Kingdom of God ? b. What is the gospel? The Kingdom of God What is the Kingdom of God ? Jesus told us many parables to describe the Kingdom. The essence of these parables is that God is now actively working in the world to reconcile it to himself and to bring all things under his direct authority. Paul tells us of a time when this “kingdom project” of God’s will be fully realized