opinions and musings

I had an insight about physical healing today that I would like to share with you all tonight. Scripture says that Jesus took our illnesses and bore our diseases (Matthew 8:17 quoting from Isaiah 53:5): "That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: " He took our illnesses and bore our diseases." " (English Standard Version) Healing was provided at the cross. It is part of the "redemption package" that the Father gave to us through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus. Think of a Thanksgiving dinner when you were growing up. Your Mom has spent all morning cooking and she has put all the hot and tasty food out on the table. The family gathers around the table and sits down. You see a big plate of sweet potatoes on th...

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...

Many of us followers of Christ have dreams of societal transformation. In other words, we want to see more than just large numbers of people attending churches - we want to see cultural and sociological changes in our country that would be evidence of people really following the commands of Jesus in their everyday lives. I think this is a good and an appropriate dream and desire to have. When our society begins to adopt the values of Christ in everyday life and we see people honoring Jesus by loving one another, forgiving one another and living in relational harmony and moral purity then we know that the Kingdom of God is increasing among us. Jesus asked us to pray that God's Kingdom would come and that His will would be done on earth. However, I think that the Bible-believing people of God in the United States have focused too often and too much on changing the political landscape in order to achieve societal transformation rather than focusing our energies and efforts elsewh...

Thanks for stopping by...This is where I will be recording my thoughts and observations. I am writing this from my home in sunny Texas. My name is Bill Benninghoff and the most important thing about me is my relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. He is my Lord and my Savior. I am husband to the beautiful Molly and father to Jennifer, David and Daniel. I enjoy reading books on theology, so many of my posts will be theological or philosophical in content. I am 47 years old now and I have been a born-again Christian since the age of 17 so I have seen the Lord move in many different church contexts over the years. I am excited by what is currently happening in Lakeland, Florida and in Fort Mill, South Carolina since April of 2008. I think the Lord Jesus is increasing the level of healings and miracles in the North American church. Currently I am meeting with some good friends in an organic church format. I am a big fan of the writings of Frank Viola and Wolfgang Simson regardin...