We Need a Council on Eschatology

We Need a Council on Eschatology

While the Creeds and Confessions take us so far on the topic of eschatology, so many of the proof texts used to support their arguments are misplaced. Other than a future judgment of the living and the dead and the resurrection of the body/dead, and that God’s “kingdom will have no end … and the life of the world to come,” little else is said about eschatology (i.e., future things) in most histori [...]

The Final Response

The Final Response

Gary concludes his response to his critics with this episode. What about Revelation 1:7 which states, “BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him” (cf. Isaiah 40:5), even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the land will mourn over Him”? The fact that “those who pierced Him” would see this event take place, we must conclude that what was revealed to John [...]

The Glory to be Revealed

The Glory to be Revealed

Kim begins looking at Romans 8 in this study. Imminency, persecution, and glory are key themes that must be carefully studied in this passage in light of many other New Testament passages. First century believers were “eagerly awaiting” something to happen in their day. What are the “birth pangs” Paul writes about in Romans 8:22? What was this new thing that was being broug [...]

The Bereans Examined the Scriptures Daily

The Bereans Examined the Scriptures Daily

Gary continues his response to his questioning critics. Listen to Part 4 here. Jesus was not declaring a new set of rules for the church to obey by discounting what had been written in what Christians know as the “Old Testament.” He was simply holding His first-century audience accountable for how they were misreading Scripture and urging them not to rely on what they had heard was written. For ex [...]

"But It's All So Simple"

"But It's All So Simple"

Gary responds by looking at a few of the Bible verses used in the “Unorthodox Eschatology” statement. Without a proper context, a verse from the Bible could be used to support atheism, because as one out-of-context passage reads, “There is no God” (Psalm 14:1). The full reading of a passage in its proper context reveals its true meaning: “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no Go [...]

Things We Know and Things We Don't

Things We Know and Things We Don't

A new statement has appeared from the same group demanding answers from Gary. Scripture verses have finally been included, giving him a place to begin interacting with both the original three questions and the statement. Modern writers from all different eschatological positions are beginning to recognize the historical fact that preterist interpretations of John’s visions are not a novelty that h [...]

The Restoration of Israel

The Restoration of Israel

With AD30 in the rear-view mirror and AD70 still to occur, the New Testament documents are written during a short time period with a high level of expectancy and imminency. Kim Burgess continues his look at Romans 11, especially verses 25-26. Salvation comes to the Gentiles through the Jews, not in spite of them. Paul says he was in chains “for the hope of Israel” in Acts 28:20. So wha [...]

What Does the Bible Teach?

What Does the Bible Teach?

The FIRST of several podcasts about the “Three Questions Letter” controversy has been made public for all the world to see. By scrolling down to the end of this article, you will find the link. I will be recording a SECOND podcast to be posted soon after. Depending on how far I get in the SECOND podcast, there will most likely be a THIRD. What I can guarantee is some very interesting i [...]

The Law is Good if Used Lawfully

The Law is Good if Used Lawfully

Gary answers a listener question about theonomy and Leviticus 19. If there is no specifically biblical blueprint, we are left with a pluralistic blueprint (William S. Barker), no blueprint (John Muether), or a postponed blueprint (dispensationalism). When we read that “religious pluralism within a society is our Lord’s intention for this time in history and hence is biblical,”[1] [...]

The Jesus Movement and Movie

The Jesus Movement and Movie

Gary discusses the current movie, Jesus Revolution, which tells the story of the Jesus Movement in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It is upon a final standard—a standard to which no greater appeal is made—that all worldviews rest.[1] What we are looking for in our apologetic task is a reliable gauge of truth that does not depend on the fallible, finite, and fallen character of man for validation. [...]

The Fullness of Israel

The Fullness of Israel

Biblical eschatology has been studied, discussed, and debated for millennia. No chapter is more pivotal—and controversial—than Romans 11. It has been used for nearly every future scenario and scheme in biblical prophecy. Oddly, with as much focus as there seems to be on Israel in most systems, they usually miss the point Paul is making and the context of what he is actually saying throughout the e [...]

The Five-Point Covenant Model

The Five-Point Covenant Model

Gary North and Gary DeMar discuss the benefits and biblical application of the Five Point Covenant Model. The Tower of Babel, the first “Tower of Power,” is a good place to start in understanding the nature of political power. These early empire-builders wanted to make a name for themselves (Gen. 11 :4) by supplanting the government of God and replacing it with a centralized, bureaucra [...]

What Makes Something Valuable?

What Makes Something Valuable?

Gary talks about his decision to sell his comic book collection, as well as the concept of collecting and value as a whole. The story of Paradise thus gives us important information about the origin and meaning of precious metals and stones, and therefore of money as well. Right from the beginning, God placed value upon gold and gems, having created them as reflections of His own glory and beauty. [...]

Spiritual Charlatans

Spiritual Charlatans

Gary riffs on one of his favorite side-topics: spiritual manipulation and magic. Jeane Dixon, astrologer and alleged “psychic,” became famous when she supposedly predicted that John F. Kennedy would be assassinated sometime during either his first or second term of office. It was in 1952 that Dixon claimed that “the 1960 election… will be dominated by labor and won by a Democrat. But he wil [...]

The Hope of Israel

The Hope of Israel

Kim discusses Hebrews 9, Acts 2-3, 2 Peter 3, and other NT and OT passages regarding the biblical understanding of Israel. Building on what he’s already taught in earlier podcasts, he continues his exegetical case for covenant hermeneutics. The consummation of Israel’s eschatology opened the door for the restoration of the nations, which is still ongoing today. Click here for today’s e [...]

To Serve Man

To Serve Man

Gary discusses comments by John Kerry made recently at Davos 2023. Metaphysical explanations are becoming credible, even in a time when secularism has become the nation’s official civil religion. But one show, The X-Files, accomplished the metaphysical reentry with an interesting twist that keeps one foot in both worlds. The rationalist Dana Scully is pitted against the open-minded genuine seeker [...]

The Assault on Biblical Values

The Assault on Biblical Values

Gary concludes his interview with Jay Rudolph on the Plumb Line radio program. Family, church, and civil governments reflect the self-government of the people, whether good or bad. At the civil level, a nation gets what it votes for. Civil government, no matter how righteously conceived, cannot make people better. Leadership, like water, rises to its own level, the righteousness or unrighteousness [...]

Secular Fundamentalism

Secular Fundamentalism

Gary was interviewed by Jay Rudolph on the Plumb Line radio program. God assures believers He will “abolish all rule and all authority and power” in opposition to His kingdom (1 Corinthians 15:24). While Satan rails against the church, God promises “the gates of Hades shall not overpower” it (Matthew 16:18). Jesus describes the church as a marching army, ready and able to move against the stationa [...]

Does God Understand Time?

Does God Understand Time?

Gary responds to recent article by John Piper, which is an excerpt of his new book, Come, Lord Jesus. The biblical writers are straightforward in their claim that certain prophetic events were to happen “soon” for those who first read the prophecies. The eschatological events were near for them. No other interpretation is possible if the words are taken in their “plain, primary, ordinary, usual, o [...]

AI and God's Revelation

AI and God's Revelation

Gary discusses a recent article about artificial intelligence that raises many important points and Gary takes it in several different directions. Marvin Minsky of MIT “believes that humans are nothing but meat machines that carry a computer in their head” also made of meat. Minsky, who is an atheist and works in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), “claimed that people should give their mon [...]