Thoughts Across The Bow

Understanding Time in the Bible: When reading the Bible one should be cautious of reading their context into the Scriptures. For example, John says that Jesus went “up to Jerusalem” (John 2:13) from Capernaum (John 2:12). If one superimposes our linguistic nuances into the text, one might believe that Jesus went north from Capernaum. When in fact Capernaum is North of Jerusalem on the Sea of Galilee and Jesus traveled south to Jerusalem. Jesus physically went up because Jerusalem is at higher elevation than Galilee. [1] There are several key hurdles that can separate us from the biblical text: language, culture, geography, and time (these are generalized categories). One must first understand the actual context of the text before accurately applying it to life.           One of these areas that might confuse the modern reader is regarding the concept of time in the Bible. John 1:39 states, “So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with ...

God’s Sovereignty in Election in The Gospel of John: Biblical References John 1:9-13 “who were born...nor of the will of flesh...but of God” John 3:5 “unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” John 3:6 “That which is born of the flesh is flesh...born of Spirit is spirit” (John 3:4-8) John 3:27 “A person cannot receive even one thing… unless it is given him from heaven” John 5:21 “The Son gives life to whom he will.” John 6:29 “This is the work of God, that you believe…” John 6:37 “All that the Father gives me will come to me…” John 6:39 “And this is the will of Him...that I should lose nothing...He has given me…” John 6:44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” John 6:63 “It is the Spirit who gives life the flesh is no help at all.” John 6:65 “No one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” John 6:70 The Twelve: “Did I not choose you, the twelve?” John 8:36 “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free ind...

  And He Dwelt Among Us . By A.W. Tozer. Bloomington, MI, 2009, 218pp. $14.99.             This work is a collection of sermons written by Dr. Tozer concerning the Gospel of John (p. 7). Since this work is a collection of Tozer's sermons that James Snyder compiled, it can be challenging to find one predominant thesis statement in this work. However, Tozer argues that the Apostle John raises the believer up into "the mystery of God'' and into realms "impossible for us to follow” (p. 77). Tozer adopts John’s aim as his own and points believers to a transcendent God who revealed Himself “in” Christ and “as” Christ (p. 211-212).             Tozer was a minister in the Christian and Missionary Alliance from 1919 to 1963. In other words, Tozer ministered before central heat (p. 215), and some of his terminologies might seem out of place for modern sensitivities (p. 131). Howe...