What is next for Streamside? I stated in my book that I would be extending the Streamside model to the writings of Paul and the other Epistles. But, God is sending me in a different direction, at least for now.
God has challenged me with a question about a potential parallel between Old Testament punishment and redemption of Israel, and whether the New Testament church is heading down a similar path due to our lack of unity.
I do not know where this will lead, but He does. Watch the plot for the next book emerge right here as I wrestle with this.
In Part 2, I listed three potential objections to my hypothesis of historical parallel (I am sure more will arise, and I encourage that!).
First, though, in warning the church that God may not be happy with our disunity, I need to keep that warning in the context that God never stops loving us, even for a second, and there is wonderful hope for us.
In Part 1, I referenced 2 Chronicles 7:14, which says that if God’s people humble themselves and pray and seek His face and turn from their wicked ways, He will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. The warning came from applying this to the huge challenges facing America right now – are our democracy and freedoms at risk because of our lack of unity?
There is a branch of Christian theology teaching that all Old Testament prophecy is complete, with exception of the ones regarding the return of Jesus in the last days. There is plenty of evidence to support this opinion. However, can we say with absolute certainty that when God speaks, as He did so forcefully in this example directly to Solomon, that His wisdom applies only to ancient Israel? God is infinite and timeless, so why is it a slam dunk that this glorious hope given to Solomon would not apply to all God’s people who call on His name for all time?
Isn’t this even more likely to be true for us, given that as Christians we have been grafted into the vine with Israel that Jesus uses as a metaphor for the church united in the Gospel of John?
While I may ask this question about current events in America, is there anything in God’s promise to Solomon that does not reflect God’s wisdom to all nations, then and now?
In Part 3, we will look at whether current events are no different than world history in the past or at events we have not yet seen. Hurry back!
God has challenged me with a question about a potential parallel between Old Testament punishment and redemption of Israel, and whether the New Testament church is heading down a similar path due to our lack of unity.
I do not know where this will lead, but He does. Watch the plot for the next book emerge right here as I wrestle with this.
In Part 2, I listed three potential objections to my hypothesis of historical parallel (I am sure more will arise, and I encourage that!).
First, though, in warning the church that God may not be happy with our disunity, I need to keep that warning in the context that God never stops loving us, even for a second, and there is wonderful hope for us.
In Part 1, I referenced 2 Chronicles 7:14, which says that if God’s people humble themselves and pray and seek His face and turn from their wicked ways, He will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. The warning came from applying this to the huge challenges facing America right now – are our democracy and freedoms at risk because of our lack of unity?
There is a branch of Christian theology teaching that all Old Testament prophecy is complete, with exception of the ones regarding the return of Jesus in the last days. There is plenty of evidence to support this opinion. However, can we say with absolute certainty that when God speaks, as He did so forcefully in this example directly to Solomon, that His wisdom applies only to ancient Israel? God is infinite and timeless, so why is it a slam dunk that this glorious hope given to Solomon would not apply to all God’s people who call on His name for all time?
Isn’t this even more likely to be true for us, given that as Christians we have been grafted into the vine with Israel that Jesus uses as a metaphor for the church united in the Gospel of John?
While I may ask this question about current events in America, is there anything in God’s promise to Solomon that does not reflect God’s wisdom to all nations, then and now?
In Part 3, we will look at whether current events are no different than world history in the past or at events we have not yet seen. Hurry back!
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