Essential Listening Pastor Kit continues to hit the nail on the head regarding the importance of rightly understanding "Sacred Space". Since sacred space is a creational reality and the Dwelling Place of God is really "the realm in which God is present in relation to His creation", then we should expect that Shalom (and the principle of Shabbat) would characterize His creation. Shalom is absolute, perfect Peace; a peace that speaks of wholeness and total harmony. Shalom connotes integrity-every (created) thing "being" true to its inherent nature and its essential function. Pastor Kit says this: "Viewed comprehensively, shalom is the condition in which every created thing finds itself in perfect conformity to itself and its created function. In turn, this full and faultless self-conformity expresses itself in inter-creational harmony: When a given thing is perfectly conformed to its own created nature and function, it equally exists in perfect harmony with everything else." Amen! And what was "lost" in the (typological) Garden, God has promised to restore! The OT prophesies (in its fullness) of the One to come in whom creation will be restored-Christ the Lord! In Christ is the restoration of all things. And "in Christ" God dwells with His people. In Christ is our Shalom and our perpetual Shabbat!
Valley of Achor is our door of hope I found it interesting that God said he would give the valley of Achor as a door of hope. You recall, don't you that this place is where Achan and his family and all that he owned were stoned, burned with fire and buried under a huge pile of stones when it was discovered that he took to himself things under the ban. Following this mass execution God turned from his fierce anger. So, even the valley of Achor finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. Amazing! I listened to this sermon 3 times back to back. Thank you so much Kit!
Sacred Space the uniting of God and Man Thanks Kit. I do so appreciate the new perspectives you bring to the themes of the bible. God has blessed you to do that. I have been telling most people I know and want to share Christ with, that Heaven is not a place we end up when we die, if we have believed Christ, but rather it is a metaphor for the place where Man and God dwell together in entirety. I look forward to hearing the rest of this series. God bless you and SGCC.
Great Book! Just finished the book--fantastic. This is a very clear book and an easy read. Very good general introduction to Biblical Theology and its importance in the hermeneutical endeavor. A truly biblical interpretation is the one that the Bible itself reveals as it interprets itself, and this book provides the theoretical (biblical) foundation and practical application necessary to understand the Bible on its own terms. If we want to know what God says, we need to know how to listen to the Bible; and we only listen to the Bible when we know how it is speaking. This book is a profound gift to the Church--read it . . . and then "listen" to the Bible speak of the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
Terrific Book! A great introductory book for all Christians. You will learn how to read your Bible and understand what it is saying. You will learn how to interpret the Old Testament. You will learn how the Bible as a whole is Christocentric.
Great Sermon! I just finished listening to the 3-part series and enjoyed it very much! Very good insight into the nature of sin and its affect on man and the creation. I particularly liked the speakers insistence on sin being estrangement--Man is estranged from God, himself, other human beings and the creation itself. This concept helps us to understand the consequences of sin and what the gospel provided to/for us. Thanks SGCC for coming onboard.