Click here to prepare for the study of God's word.

Galatians 5:16-23 teaches that at any moment we are either walking by the Holy Spirit or according to the sin nature. Walking by the Spirit, enjoying fellowship with God, walking in the light are virtually synonymous. During these times, the Holy Spirit is working in us to illuminate our minds to the truth of Scripture and to challenge us to apply what we learn. But when we sin, we begin to live based on the sin nature. Our works do not count for eternity. The only way to recover is to confess (admit, acknowledge) our sin to God the Father and we are instantly forgiven, cleansed, and recover our spiritual walk (1 John 1:9). Please make sure you are walking by the Spirit before you begin your Bible study, so it will be spiritually profitable.

Messages with tag - Culture

Sun, Dec 08, 2013
Duration: 45 mins 14 secs
Introduction to Interpretation

Hendricks, Living By the Book, chapters 27 through 29

Sun, Dec 08, 2013
Duration: 38 mins 8 secs

Problems in Biblical Understanding

Hendricks, Living By the Book, chapters 27 through 29

Assignment:
Read Hendricks, Living By the Book, chapters 30-32.
Read Hendricks, Living By the Book Workbook, chapters 49-51. Work on the assignment in Chapter 49 pertaining to Habakkuk.

Dr. Dean also recommended the following books on Bible interpretation:
Protestant Biblical Interpretation: A Textbook of Hermeneutics by Bernard Ramm
Basic Bible Interpretation by Roy B. Zuck
Expository Hermeneutics: an Introduction by Elliot Johnson
Evangelical Hermeneutics: The New Versus the Old by Robert L. Thomas

Tue, Mar 11, 2014

Readers of this paper should understand that it builds upon more extensive, previously published material that can only be briefly cited here. Christians today, particularly in the United States, are facing a rapidly-growing, comprehensive antagonism by pagan culture as that culture ever more consistently manifests itself through the public policies of all levels of civil government from local to federal. This antagonism challenges Christian family authority in education, Christian vocational freedom in public business and health care, Christian counseling in pastoral care (both civilian and military), Christian scholarship in academia and Christian political freedom in public policy decisions. Because it is the main tool involved, this paper explores the degenerate state of current public discourse in search of an effective overall strategy of response. It concludes that Christians must first become aware of how the suppression dynamic Paul spoke of in Romans 1:18-32 has worked out today in Western civilization. It further points out that simultaneously with the truncated ability of public discourse to handle fundamental truths of reality, truth, and conduct, there is a surreptitious and gradual establishment of a state secular religion that seeks to trump God's revelation. Two strategies to counter these threats are discussed, one aimed at challenging so-called "reasonable" public discussion and the other aimed at strengthening opposition to the state's expanding religious claims.

For Christians committed to a literal, grammatical, historical hermeneutic (and thereby a dispensational perspective) the growing pagan antagonism is accompanied by criticism from covenant, post-millennial, theonomic brethren that dispensational theology is largely responsible for Christian impotency in the face of such sociopolitical antagonism. Criticism from these fellow believers charges that our view necessarily leads to defeatism, a purposeless Church age, and irresponsible passivity toward the challenges of earthly life. This paper answers those criticisms by pointing out specific features of dispensational ecclesiology and eschatology that guard the primacy of evangelism and missions while simultaneously offering detailed sociopolitical wisdom for Christian citizens. Included is an example of applying this wisdom to the reformation of Christian wedding services in those states that have delegitimized Christian marriage.

Tue, Oct 27, 2020
Passage: Psalm 30:4-5
Duration: 1 hr 6 mins 28 secs
Do you consider yourself to be cultured? Unlock the meaning of “culture” with this lucid and interesting message discussing how cultures and subcultures develop within groups. See that worldliness refers to a set of beliefs and actions that are not influenced by biblical truth. Find out how God declared His creation to be “tov” or good and what the standards are for that. Hear a number of principles that can help distinguish beauty in music, art, and literature. Understand that beauty is not a human-based standard, but that it comes from God.
Sun, Aug 07, 2022
Passage: Ephesians 4:17-21
Duration: 58 mins 18 secs
Buckle up your seat belts and get ready for a lightning-speed ride through the Church Age. Find out how the 11 apostles, Paul, and a few believers began to spread the gospel in the pagan world. Understand the gradual transformation that took place as the New Testament Books were written and distributed and how it began to influence how people understood marriage, family, and government. See that the culture changed as Christianity spread through areas of the world and reached its pinnacle and the philosophies that dominated during those years. Be ready next week to hear how it began to decline and slide toward paganism again.