Gary discusses a critic on Facebook that believes Christians should leave politics alone and not get involved. The predatory politics and violent methods of the Godfather are criminal. Everyone understands this. But what is considered criminal when practiced by the Godfather, all of a sudden becomes “government policy” in legislation coming from Washington. Lavish government spending p [...]
God’s Kingdom does not break into this world without opposition. Paul wrote: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18). While Paul’s first-century readers were enduring suffering, they were also the ones that would have “the glory” revealed to them. The temporary gl [...]
“The Thing’s shifty scientist, Carrington, helps to keep the ‘super-carrot’ alive, hiding it from the military men who want to destroy it. According to him, ‘There are no enemies in science … only phenomena to study’, and he is awed by the creature’s evolutionary perfection: ‘No pain or pleasure as we know it. No emotions. No heart. Our superior … in every way’, although the compliment isn’t retur [...]
Gary concludes his conversation with Jeremy Stalnecker about biblical worldview. All of us think in terms of worldviews. A worldview is the way each of us looks at and evaluates everything that is seen, experienced, or thought about. Worldviews have been described as a web of beliefs that we carry around in our heads that becomes an “interconnected system of all that we believe. Tied together more [...]
Gary is interviewed by Jeremy Stalnecker on the topic of biblical worldview and thinking and acting biblically. Alien worldviews have made their way to planet Earth bringing with them even greater devastation than that depicted in the fictional War of the Worlds. Today’s real-life battle is between the worldview of biblical Christianity where the infinite and sovereign God of the universe reigns a [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 claim has been made that “Gary DeMar has changed his eschatological beliefs” or that he’s been “bewitched.” Not so. These types of comments show how desperate some people are to avoid answering the hard questions. The questions I was asking in 1998 are the same ones I’m asking today (see below). The difference is that I have studied the topic in greater detail, but the original questions and t [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
In a conference a few years ago, I emphasized the importance of biblical optimism during attacks, persecution, and the advance of secularism. Young people need to believe there is a future waiting for them, that not everything is gloom and doom and escapism. To be overly preoccupied with the future at the expense of the present is to replace discipleship with dreaming. God, the source of all hope, [...]
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 [...]
Listen to the podcast on this topic here The Asbury Revival and the release of the film The Jesus Revolution have gotten a lot of media attention. The reviews of the Jesus Revolution have been good. With Kelsey Grammar, fortunately replaced Jim Gaffigan, playing Chuck Smith (1927-2013), it should be good in terms of production value. Here’s the storyline: Inspired by a true movement, JESUS REVOLUT [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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] [...]
We repeatedly find prophecy writers who try in vain to apply Old Testament fulfilled prophecies to current events. What’s surprising is that they claim to interpret the Bible literally. For them horses mean “horsepower,” bows and arrows mean “missile launchers and missiles,” and chariots mean “tanks.” But in the case of Ezekiel 38-39, these prophecy speculators really get things wrong. The God and [...]
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. [...]
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 [...]
