PHYSICAL RESURRECTION AND NEW CREATION

New Creation, Resurrection November 22, 2024 Comments: 2

resurrection of the deadPMW 2024-090 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

A Brief Testimony
When I enrolled at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi, I had just converted out of dispensationalism. I had been thoroughly schooled in dispensationalism at Tennessee Temple College in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Upon graduating from Temple with a degree in Biblical Studies, I enrolled in the M.Div. program at another dispensational institution, Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana.

While at Grace I stumbled onto O. T. Allis’ book Prophecy and the Church. This book led me out of dispensationalism and toward a Reformed eschatology. My transformation was not complete upon reading Allis, however. That completion would not be reached until I had studied for two years at Reformed Seminary, to which I transferred after two years at Grace. Continue reading →

YAHWEH

Uncategorized November 19, 2024 Leave a comment

yahwehPMW 2024-089 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

In Hebrew God’s distinctive covenant name appears as four consonants: YHWH (pronounced Yahweh). It appears in English versions in all caps as: LORD (or sometimes GOD when linked with Adonai, which also is translated “Lord”). In Exodus 3:14 God defines himself via his special covenantal name. This name is so significant in redemptive history that the Scriptures can simply mention “the name” (Lev. 24:11, 16). God jealously declares that this is his name “forever” (Exo. 3:15; cp. Psa. 102:12; 135:13).

This name first appears, not in Gen. 1 where God’s power is exhibited (therefore, Elohim appears there). Rather it appears first when the LORD lovingly creates then covenants with Adam (see note at Gen. 2:4). Contrary to critics, it does not represent another and competing tradition about who the God of Israel is, but is used in his revelation from the beginning. Continue reading →

EDEN AND ANIMAL DEATH?

Non-eschatology Studies November 15, 2024 Leave a comment

Lion killPMW 2024-088 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

Despite recent unorthodox influences on evangelical Christians, numerous arguments demand that animal death results from God’s curse on creation after Adam’s fall, rather than being a feature of God’s original creational activity. Consider the following: Continue reading →

THE NATIONS AND THE GREAT COMMISSION

Culture, Evangelism, Great Commission November 12, 2024 Comments: 2

PMW 2024-087 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

Introduction

I have had several interested readers send me a question regarding the Great Commission. One reader sent the following question:

I’ve been wondering this: is the Great Commission telling us to baptize nations themselves or baptize individual people? What is “them?” KJV says “teach all nations, baptizing them…” implying to me that we are meant to disciple the nations, not people in them (although that would be part of it, but my point is that it’s not complete). Therefore, if that’s true then I think that would imply we need to “Christianize” the world. I know postmillenialism implies that. Thank you!

I hope I have saved the relevant portions of his extended question. And I believe I have. So now, to work! Continue reading →

PRETERISM, CONCERN, AND CONFUSION

hyperpreterism, Interpretation November 8, 2024 1 Comment

ConfusionPMW 2024-086 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

I recently had a reader, whose name is “AJ,” express his concerns over preterism as presented on my blogsite. His comments were posted about my one-sentence answer to a brief question he asks regarding Revelation 18:3 and the merchants of the earth. Then he responds at length to that one-sentence reply. I will quote his two comments and my replies. Hopefully these will be of interest not only to AJ but to others.

AJ wrote:

“I respectfully have a question I hope you can answer. I have been researching preterism Versus Futurism and have a Litany of questions. But one I would like to ask here would you reference in your aforementioned quote of Revelations Is the merchants who stand Aloft at sea lamenting the destruction of the Great city. I know it goes on to say all of the merchants in Kings of the Earth grew wealthy from her, yet my research into the economic effects of Jerusalem in the first century ad indicate it had a very, very minor role in trade and certainly did not build the wealth of all the merchants and nations of the earth. There were a couple of coastal cities In that region that Much come up much more important for trade, so how can reasonably these verses about Jerusalem making the whole world wealthy be true? Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. God bless you.”
Continue reading →

PROPER COMMUNION (5)

Church November 5, 2024 Leave a comment

Communion 5PMW 2024-085 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

THE NECESSITY AND BENEFITS OF CAREFUL FENCING

In this five-part series, which I am concluding, we have studied the biblical argument for proper fencing of the Lord’s Table. In highlighting that argument we have noted its significance for the integrity of the church as the kingdom of Christ and as a means of establishing the church’s governmental authority. As we reflect upon the matter further we may note the necessity of careful fencing from other angles.

First, the failure to properly fence the Table encourages sin

If we allow Christians who refuse to join a church to partake of the Lord’s Supper we are encouraging them in their sin against Christ and his church. Christ established his church, gave it officers, and appointed (through his apostles) election and ordination as the means for securing its officers. And this can only be done by formal members in a church: electing church officers is surely not open to visitors. And intentionally remaining outside of membership in a local church makes it impossible for believers to “obey your leaders, and submit to them” so that they might “keep watch over souls” (Heb 13:17). Again, as Paul states: he has no authority over those outside (1 Cor 5:12). Obviously Christ intended that his followers formally commit to a church through membership. Continue reading →

PROPER COMMUNION (4)

Church November 1, 2024 Leave a comment

Communion 4PMW 2024-084 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

In my previous article on fencing the table I laid the foundations for considering the question before us. I introduced the idea of sacramental foundations their implications for fencing the table. Then I focused on the relationship of the sacraments to church government. Now we are finally ready to deal with the specific matter of partaking Communion.

SACRAMENTAL PARTAKING

Now I will draw out some biblical principles and directives regarding the careful fencing and partaking of the Lord’s Table.

First, the Lord’s Supper is intrinsically corporate

Although personal responsibilities fall upon the individual partakers of the Lord’s Supper (see next point below), we see clear and fundamental community overtones in it. Note the following:

(1) As I begin with these observations, we must remember that the first Lord’s Supper was established in the context of the Passover and took the place of a communal meal. Communion was designed to take the Passover’s place within the new Israel of God, the Church of Jesus Christ. This fact provides helpful background insights into the corporate setting and obligations of the sacrament. Continue reading →