NET Bible First Edition review

I received a review copy the NET Bible First Edition in black a few weeks ago. The cover itself is a very nice bonded leather with hubs on the binding (a classic look). The one thing that I do wish is that they had gone with a genuine leather cover or something that would be a bit sturdier. The contents of the Bible are so large that I doubt the cover can withstand continued use without cracking or tearing (though the true test will be time of use). The pages are smyth-sewn which is a huge positive. This ensures greater durability of the binding and also for the bible to lay flat when open. The pages themselves are thin, probably a little thinner than normal Bible paper (not nearly as nice as the Lockman NASB's – large print ultrathin reference Bible and wide margin single column reference Bible). The overall the Bible itself is well-made.

The translation itself is very good. It is toward the formal equivalence end of the spectrum. There are places where the NET has clarified ambiguities that are found in the original text. This has made a more idiomatic translation than the NASB and the ESV. Yet, there are places where this causes the NET to be more accurate such as, John 1:18 and John 3:16. One of the features of the NET that is unique are the chapter and verse markings. The NET includes the chapter number along with each verse marking, ex: John 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4 and so on. This is not a problem for me, though it did take some time to become acquainted with it. The satellite maps that are found in the back of the Bible are full color and topographical. These are by far some of the nicest looking maps that I have ever seen in any study resource. They truly open your eyes to the features of the areas in question. The maps are a bonus.

Now, time to discuss the study notes. These by far are worth their weight in gold. There are three different types of notes: study notes, technical commentary, and technical notes. The study notes are what you would find in other scholarly study Bibles. The technical notes are alternative translation options or a more literal translation option. The technical commentary notes are filled with a vast treasury of notes on the original languages. The notes are much like technical notes you would find in a Greek or Hebrew grammar. Yet, the blessing is that the notes are found beneath the text in question. In a grammar you have to search the index to find if there might possibly be help in regard to a text you are studying. The Bible came with a Bible.org Bible Library resource C.D. I have not even had a chance to examine this added resource. It seems like the NET Bible is like the gift that keeps on giving!

I truly like the translation itself. I believe that it is very accurate and yet readable. The scholars are from Dallas Theological Seminary. Therefore they are conservative evangelicals. It has been stated that the NET will be revised every five years beginning in 2010. This helps you to realize that the translators are striving for the best translation of the Word of God possible. The only drawback for me as a pastor is that people will have to buy a new copy every five years (though I don't want to sound cranky, I am not, and I personally don't mind doing so).

I read somewhere that someone was hoping that the NET would replace the NIV as an idiomatic translation. I don't know if that will happen but I do believe that it is that good. I would highly recommend the NET Bible as a preaching and teaching resource. I would say that it is non-negotiable to own it as a study resource. At the very least, download the electronic version on Bible.org.

The Bible also comes with a resource c.d. with study materials.  I have not yet had an opportunity to check out this bonus resource.










The Bible is significant in size. But that is to be expected when you have over 60,000 study notes contained in it.




This Bible is smyth sewn and therefore opens fairly flat.  The pages are what you would normally find in other Bibles.  They are not the thickness of the ESV wide margin or the NASB large print ultrathin.




This is what you will find in some texts where there is a lot to be explained textually.  It is a black letter text which is a positive.





Here is an example of what the satellite maps look like.  They are a bonus.




Like the Bible itself, the ribbon marker is larger than most other Bibles feature. 




The sewn binding and the weight of the Bible cause it to open fairly flat.  I do wonder how well the premium bonded leather will hold up under frequent use.

Contemplating the idea of Pastor-Theologian

There is an almost innumerable amount of books and resources available delineating what the role of the pastor-teacher is in the church. There has been a strong movement declaring that the pastor must become a better leader for the sake of the church. There is leadership involved in the ministry of a pastor. One would be naive to think otherwise. Yet, this has resulted in pastors spending more time attempting to discover how to better motivate, inspire, and reconfigure people. It has led to many pastors becoming frustrated that they are unable to successfully lead those under their oversight.

When one examines the biblical text there are some very interesting details to be found that shed light on this confusing issue. Moses was the shepherd of Israel. When you read through the account of Moses' leadership experience you will discover that he didn't have one of those charming, successful leadership roles that are described in so many contemporary Christian leadership books and seminars. Much of modern leadership appears to be more manipulation and charm, than biblical leadership.

These contemporary leadership books and seminars present principle after principle that many times are based more on anthropology than Theology. People are sinful. Therefore, deep down we don't desire to submit to Christ as Lord, nor to the authority of Scripture. It is in my humble opinion that the majority of “leadership problems” in the church today are the result of refusing to submit to Christ and the Word of God, not the lack of leadership acumen on the part of the pastor(s). I would be first to admit that as a pastor I have a long way to go in my walk with God. But, as a result of reading books on leadership which are produced by non-believers, we have begun to believe that if one implements all of the anthropological principles set forth, it will always result in the people following. This is not what we learn in the Word of God, nor in life. Sin disrupts the whole process.

My conclusion to this matter is as follows:

If every believer submitted to the Lordship of Christ and the authority of the Scriptures there would be no need whatsoever for all of this talk about leadership. Pastors would proclaim the Scriptures and believers would obey and follow. This would be true even in the many cases in which the pastors are not charming, nor innovative and inspiring. I pray that we would get back to studying the Scriptures for the purpose of determining our actions and training. John Piper suggest this biblical role for pastors. He is the first person I have heard to suggest such an idea of a “pastor-theologian.” He urges every pastor to be a “pastor-theologian” not merely a leader.

NET Bible First Edition review

I received a review copy the NET Bible First Edition in black a few weeks ago. The cover itself is a very nice bonded leather with hubs on the binding (a classic look). The one thing that I do wish is that they had gone with a genuine leather cover or something that would be a bit sturdier. The contents of the Bible are so large that I doubt the cover can withstand continued use without cracking or tearing (though the true test will be time of use). The pages are smyth-sewn which is a huge positive. This ensures greater durability of the binding and also for the bible to lay flat when open. The pages themselves are thin, probably a little thinner than normal Bible paper (not nearly as nice as the Lockman NASB's – large print ultrathin reference Bible and wide margin single column reference Bible). The overall the Bible itself is well-made.

The translation itself is very good. It is toward the formal equivalence end of the spectrum. There are places where the NET has clarified ambiguities that are found in the original text. This has made a more idiomatic translation than the NASB and the ESV. Yet, there are places where this causes the NET to be more accurate such as, John 1:18 and John 3:16. One of the features of the NET that is unique are the chapter and verse markings. The NET includes the chapter number along with each verse marking, ex: John 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4 and so on. This is not a problem for me, though it did take some time to become acquainted with it. The satellite maps that are found in the back of the Bible are full color and topographical. These are by far some of the nicest looking maps that I have ever seen in any study resource. They truly open your eyes to the features of the areas in question. The maps are a bonus.

Now, time to discuss the study notes. These by far are worth their weight in gold. There are three different types of notes: study notes, technical commentary, and technical notes. The study notes are what you would find in other scholarly study Bibles. The technical notes are alternative translation options or a more literal translation option. The technical commentary notes are filled with a vast treasury of notes on the original languages. The notes are much like technical notes you would find in a Greek or Hebrew grammar. Yet, the blessing is that the notes are found beneath the text in question. In a grammar you have to search the index to find if there might possibly be help in regard to a text you are studying. The Bible came with a Bible.org Bible Library resource C.D. I have not even had a chance to examine this added resource. It seems like the NET Bible is like the gift that keeps on giving!

I truly like the translation itself. I believe that it is very accurate and yet readable. The scholars are from Dallas Theological Seminary. Therefore they are conservative evangelicals. It has been stated that the NET will be revised every five years beginning in 2010. This helps you to realize that the translators are striving for the best translation of the Word of God possible. The only drawback for me as a pastor is that people will have to buy a new copy every five years (though I don't want to sound cranky, I am not, and I personally don't mind doing so).

I read somewhere that someone was hoping that the NET would replace the NIV as an idiomatic translation. I don't know if that will happen but I do believe that it is that good. I would highly recommend the NET Bible as a preaching and teaching resource. I would say that it is non-negotiable to own it as a study resource. At the very least, download the electronic version on Bible.org.

Building Blocks for Believers - An Introduction to Systematic Theology

Christianity is a faith based on cognitive information.  The gospel is a cognitive message.  It is a message with content which is to be believed.  Therefore, from the outset what one believes is vitally important (Jude 3; 1 Tim. 6:13-14, 20).  The primary source of information that we possess about God is found in Scripture.  As a result of this reality, any true valuable study will begin with the Doctrine of the Bible.

I) Bibliology
    A) Nature (authorship)
Bibliology, or the study of the Bible, is foundational for born-again Christians.  It provides the basis for all other studies.  Scripture originated from God (2 Pet. 1:20-21).  We learn that the Holy Spirit moved men to write what was recorded and passed down to use in the 66 books of the Bible.  This acknowledges a human role in the process of Scripture being composed.  In fact, there are only a few sections of Scripture which were verbally dictated by God to the author (ex. Rev. 2-3).  In the majority of places God "moved" the authors to record what He wanted to communicate without overriding the individual personality of the writer (ex. Lk 1:1-4; 2 Tim. 4:9-15).  God was superintending the process of writing Scripture.

Scripture is also described as being "breathed out" by God (2 Tim. 3:16).  Again, this is an indication of the divine origin of the 66 books of the Bible.  God was speaking His truth through those who wrote the Scriptures.

      B) Inerrancy
The subject of errors in the Scripture is hotly debated even today.  The issue must be discussed first, at the level of the original manuscripts (the autographs).  This refers to the first letters written by Paul, Moses, etc...  These documents were inerrant.  The basis for this belief is the nature of the Scriptures.  The Bible is God's Word.  He is the one superintending the process of Scripture being recorded.  God authored the Bible by using men to write what He wanted communicated.  He guided them.  Scripture teaches that God cannot lie (Tit. 1:2; Heb. 6:18).  Since God was the one in charge of the process, we believe that He did not allow errors or false information to be included (Num. 23:19; 1 Sam. 15:29).

The doctrine of inerrancy is extremely important for one's understanding of Scripture.  Yet one must be honest in the process.  The original manuscripts were inerrant.  We possess none of the originals.  Today we possess translations of copies of the original manuscripts.  Over time as the originals were copied, scribal errors were introduced.  Now as scholars study copies of the original manuscripts, they discover differences between various copies.  Through careful study, comparison, and investigation they are able to discover what is likely to be the original reading.  No major doctrine is compromised by the variants found in the copies.  In fact, of the over 5,000 pieces of N.T. copies there is 99% agreement among what is recorded.  Therefore, even though you carry a translation of copies of the original manuscripts, you can be assured that you are carrying the Word of God.

God desired to communicate His Word to His people so that they would be equipped to live in a way that glorifies Him (2 Tim. 3:16-17).  This message is so important that God has preserved His Word over many thousands of years.

How does God grow the Church? message #2 - the gospel

How does God grow the Church

“The Gospel”

Message #2

Intro:

Last week in our series How does God grow the Church we looked at something that is foundational. The Word of God teaches that “God desires for people to be saved.” In that message we studied three proofs of this reality:

#1 – God didn't create hell for people

#2 – god provided the means of forgiveness

#3 – God desires for every person to repent and be saved

This week we are going to look at “The Gospel.” We are going to investigate how the Word of God describes the gospel. Throughout the history of Christianity there have been many who have declared the gospel to be a fairytale. The word means “good news.” What is the good news? We are going to discover that what one does with the gospel determines his eternal destiny. So what am I saying? I am saying that if one rejects the gospel, he will be eternally separated from God in a place of torment called hell.

Message:

#1 - Man is separated from God because of sin

a – Original sin

When Adam was created he enjoyed unhindered fellowship with God (Gen. 2:15-17, 25). Yet, when he was tempted by Satan he chose to sin against God (3:1-8). At that moment Adam became a sinner. He died spiritually, which caused him to become separated relationally from with God. He also began to die physically (3:17-19).

b – Personal sin

We learn from Scripture that every human being since that time has inherited sin from Adam (Rom. 5:12-14, 17-19). Sin resides within our physical bodies (Rom. 7:14-20). Sin has separated us from God and it needs to be dealt with.

#2 – Sin's penalty is death

a – Physical and spiritual

We understand death as being something that frequently occurs. We don't often think of the original source of death. It is sin. But, sin doesn't just result in physical death, it results in spiritual death. Spiritual death means that we are relationally separated from God. We are considered His enemies because of the sin within us. Scripture teaches us that if people don't receive forgiveness for their sins they will be separated from God eternally (Rom. 6:23). Hell is a place of darkness and torment where people don't experience God's presence and grace. All those whose sins are not forgiven will spend eternity in hell.

#3 – Jesus Christ's payment for sin

a - Death

Since God is holy and just, He has to punish sin (Col. 1:13-14, 19-23). God determined to send His Son Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, to provide forgiveness of sins (Gal. 1:3-5; Eph. 1:3-8). The sins of mankind needed to be punished and only a perfect substitute would be sufficient to satisfy God's holiness (Heb. 7:26-27; 1 Pet. 1:17-21). God the Son took on human flesh and received God the Father's wrath for the sins of mankind on the cross (1 Pet. 2:24-25). Jesus, the sinless one, was punished for man's sins (Col. 2:13-14). Jesus died on the cross for man's sins. Jesus paid the debt that all men ow because of their sin (2 Cor. 5:17-21). Jesus took our place, our punishment (Heb. 9:13-14, 23-26).

b - Resurrection

When Jesus rose from the grave three days later, it showed that God the Father had accepted Jesus' payment for the sins of mankind (1 Cor. 15:12-19). Through Christ's payment forgiveness is available (Heb. 10:10-18).

#4 – Repentance and faith

a – Repentance

The Word of God teaches that the appropriate response to the gospel is repentance and faith. The word repentance means “to turn around 180 degrees” or “to change one's mind.” When one hears that he is a sinner and is in need of forgiveness, he should repent of the life he is currently living. There is sorrow involved in repentance (2 Cor. 7:9-10). There is sorrow over how one has lived in sin (Acts 2:37-38; 17:22-31). When this sorrow occurs the individual should seek forgiveness from God.

b – Faith

After one responds to the gospel with repentance, there is a need for faith in the contents of the gospel. The Scriptures always teach that salvation is received by faith (Rom. 5:1-2). When one exercises faith, he is placing his trust in something. Scripture tells us that God the Son took on flesh, received man's punishment for sins, and died on the cross to pay man's penalty (Rom. 3:19-26). When He rose from the dead, that signified that God the Father had accepted Christ's payment for sins. When you place your faith in Christ you are trusting/believing that Jesus' death and resurrection: a) really happened; b) that it saves you from your sins (Rom. 10:1-13).

Conclusion:

So what is necessary for one to be forgiven for his sins and reconciled to God? Repentance of sins and faith in the gospel (Acts 2:37-42). So why doesn't everyone repent and believe the gospel? The sin within people causes them to reject God's offer of salvation. In fact, because of the sin within them they not only refuse to believe the gospel, they ridicule it (1 Cor. 1:18, 22-25).

Is there really only one way to get to heaven? Yes, there is only one way (Jn. 14:6; Acts 4:10-12). Many declare this as arrogance. They question how Christianity has the audacity to say that there is only one way to heaven. They propose that there are many different religions and many different ways to heaven.

There is only one true God and He has established one way to get to heaven. Since only He is God and heaven is His domain, He gets to establish the ground rules. He is the one who establishes the requirements for entrance. God has declared that all men must repent of their sins and believe the gospel for the forgiveness of their sins. For those that propose different ways, they have found these answers from some other source, but it is not God. The God of the Bible, has declared that all men must repent of their sins and believe the gospel for the forgiveness of their sins.

Next week we are going to look at the third message in our series How does God grow the Church?, it is entitled, “God uses Christians sharing their faith.”

1 Corinthians 4:1-5

1 Corinthians

4:1-5

Intro:

Last week we studied 3:16-23. We were taught that God will deal harshly with those pastors and believers who destroy the church through false teaching and wicked actions. Paul called the believers to become wise with God's wisdom which begins with salvation through faith in Christ and then growing in wisdom through the knowledge of God's Word. As they do this they will learn that they inherit amazing blessings through Christ and that Christ is in charge of everything.

This week we are going to learn how to accurately view Christian pastors and believers. Also, we will learn one way that we are to react to the ministry of those who lead us. Christianity is based on truth. Therefore, Christians must study the truth of God's Word, so they may know how to live. Paul wrote to Timothy, “I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; but ^in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in ^the household of God, which is the ^church of ^the living God, the ^pillar and support of the truth.” (1 Tim. 3:14-15 NASB). The Word of God is essential for us to know how to live and conduct ourselves in the church.

Message:

Paul urges the Corinthians to think of Christian leaders as slaves of Christ and stewards/managers of God's divine revelation (1). Even Christian leaders are slaves, not masters. They are appointed as managers of God's truth. Stewards should be trustworthy since they are overseeing their master's interests (2). Christ set forth this principle repeatedly during His earthly ministry (Lk. 12:42-48). This is true even for Christian leaders who are slaves of Christ and managers of God's truth.

Paul is not concerned with the Corinthians examining his life and ministry (3; cf. 9:3). He knows the ultimately man's opinion of him doesn't matter (cf. Prov. 29:25). Paul doesn't know of anything in his life and ministry that is a matter of wrongdoing (4). His conscience is clear. But, Paul's analysis is insufficient (cf. Jer. 17:9). The Lord is the one who examines Paul and Paul answers to Him alone (cf. 2 Cor. 5:9-10; Rom. 14:10-12).

Paul urges the Corinthians to stop comparing Christian leaders and their ministries (5). Christ will examine these leaders and their ministries. It is not the responsibility of the Corinthians to be comparing and criticizing leaders. When Christ examines the leaders He will expose hidden things, good and bad (cf. 1 Tim. 5:24-25). Christ will reveal the motives of the leader, good and bad. Then at that time, the leader's praise will come from God, not man (cf. Rom. 2:28-29).

Paul has used himself and Apollos as figurative examples (6; cf. 3:1-4:5). This was to teach the Corinthians not to exceed what Scripture teaches as appropriate. In this case, they weren't supposed to be arrogant and choose one leader over another. They were proudly supporting one leader over another based on personality and outward skills. Paul questions why they think they are better (7). Everything they have they received from God. So they shouldn't be arrogant (cf. Eph. 2:8-9).

Conclusion:

There are three principles that we gain from this passage of Scripture.

#1 – The Corinthians have been taught how to view pastors and leaders properly, as slaves of Christ ans stewards of God's Word. As stewards it is required of them to be trustworthy as they oversee Christ's interests.

#2 – Christ is the one who will examine every pastor and Christian leader. As a result Paul tells the people to stop spending their time thinking they are Jesus by examining/comparing the pastors and leaders.

#3 – Don't go beyond Scriptural standards. This causes a lot of damage to the church.

God's Supernatural Work in Salvation

God's Supernatural Work in Salvation

Intro:

The idea of how a person comes to have a relationship with God and ultimately enters heaven has been greatly confused by misunderstandings and false teaching. Throughout the centuries Satan has brought great confusion by introducing pagan ideas into the church's understanding of these important biblical doctrines. The Word of God is very successful in clearing up the confusion.

The myth of Purgatory arose from non-biblical understandings of the afterlife. Most notably, pagan teaching proposed the need for purification after death for impure souls. It is not supported by Scripture. The reason for inventing a place named Purgatory was that peole in the past believed that even though a person was a Christian, when he died he still sinned, and God cannot allow sin into heaven. Therefore, Christians must go to a holding-tank named Purgatory where they are purified (punished). Only after being purified in Purgatory can one then be transferred to heaven. This is unbiblical and entirely false. A true believer is chosen by God for salvation, declared righteous by God through Christ, matured spiritually by God, and made sinless (glorified) by God upon death or the rapture. True Christians receive Christ's righteousness at salvation. True Christians immediately enter Christ's presence when they die or are raptured. Nevertheless, let's study what the Word of god has to say about this important issue.

I) God's role in positional, progressive, and final sanctification (Rom. 8:28-30)

True Christians are given Christ's righteousness at salvation. Paul tells us in his letter to the Ephesians that God the Father chose/elected true believers before He created the world, and this results in true believers being holy and blameless before Him (Eph. 1:3-7). True believers are adopted as sons through Christ's redemptive work on the cross (v. 5). This is according to God's will (good pleasure).

Probably the greatest passage in Scripture dealing with the issue of sanctification is found in Romans 8. Sadly, its significance is often missed because it includes a verse that is so frequently used out-of-context to comfort others. Paul begins by asserting that he and the recipients of his letter know (oida – factual knowledge) that God superintends all events, using them for good in the lives of those who love Him (8:28). The people who truly love God are those whom He has called (kalew, elected) according to His purpose. It was God's will that they be called (in Greek culture the word was used to describe inviting someone to an event or place) (29). Paul uses a very rich word to describe what God did in eternity past. God foreknew true believers. Many people have thought that this meant that, since God knows all things, He looked ahead and chose those whom He knew would believe. This is incorrect since it is a misunderstanding of the context and it is unbiblical (Rom. 3:10-12, 18). The word proegnw (from proginoskw) means to know before, know in advance, to choose beforehand. It has the sense of God choosing to know us. God foreknowing means that He chose in eternity past to enter into a relationship with individuals through Christ. He chose to elect them. True believers are true believers because God chose/foreknew them. There are several biblical examples of God doing this (OT = Gen. 18:19; Jer. 1:5; Am. 3:2; NT = Rom. 11:2; Acts 2:23; 1 Pet. 1:2, 20).

Paul says that God predestines those whom He chose to have a relationship with to be conformed to the image of His Son (29). The purpose for which God foreknew individuals was to make them like Christ morally. A believer becoming like Christ is the good that God accomplishes (cf. v. 28). This helps us to define what good means. The good that God works for and accomplishes in the life of a true believer is that he becomes like Christ morally. This is the final outcome in the life of every true believer. It is complete when the true believer stands before God in heaven upon death or the rapture.

Next, Paul explains how predestination works. He outlines how God works out the process of conforming each true believer to the image of Christ (30). First, He called (kalew) them (Eph. 1:4-6; 2 Th. 2:13-14; 1 Pet. 1:1-5; 2 Pet. 1:1-4, 10-11; Col. 1:19-23; 2:13-14; 3:20-21; 1 Jn. 2:1-2). This is the deliberate act of God to choose individuals to be saved. This is the act of electing to salvation. Second, He justified them (Rom. 5:1-2, 6-11, 19; 2 Cor. 5:17-21). After God called them to be His own, He declared them righteous. This is a legal term which means to pardon from the guilt and penalty of sin. In the case of an individual who has been called by God, he also receives Christ's righteousness imputed to his account. Third, God glorified them (Eph. 1:4; 1 Th. 5:23-24; 1 Cor. 1:8-9). After God called them, and then justified them, He chose to glorify them. This refers to final sanctification when a true believer stands before God in heaven. At this time God will remove all sin from him and will conform him to the image of Christ. He will be blameless. God is the one who does this for the believer whom He has foreknown. There is no human effort involved in being: called, justified, or glorified. It is all the supernatural work of God.

Conclusion:

Since God works out the removing of sin (glorification) from every true believer when he dies or is raptured, there is no need for such a place as Purgatory (which doesn't exist anyway). The one phase of predestination that is yet future is glorification. In the Greek it is a past tense verb. The reason for this is that since God has predetermined that He will accomplish this, it is as though it has already happened, even though it is still a future event. When a true believer dies or is raptured, he immediately enters God's presence in heaven (Phil. 1:18d-24; 1 Th. 5:9-10; 2 Tim. 4:16-18; 2 Cor. 5:6-10; Col. 3:1-4). There is no intermediate place such as Purgatory. A true believer enters heaven.

1. 
   
   God foreknew individuals – chose to enter into a relationship with them through Christ's redemptive work
   
   
   
2. 
   
   God predestined them to be conformed to the image of Christ
   
   1. 
      
      He called them (Eph. 4:1-6; 2 Th. 2:13-14; 1 Pet. 1:1-5; 2 Pet. 1:1-4, 10-11; Col. 1:19-23; 2:13-14; 3:20-21; 1 Jn. 2:1-2)
      
      
      
   2. 
      
      He justified them (Rom. 5:1-2, 6-11, 19; 2 Cor. 5:17-21)
      
      
      
   3. 
      
      He glorified them (Eph. 1:4; 1 Th. 5:23-24; Rom. 8:28-30; 1 Cor. 1:8-9)