The determinetruth Podcast

In this study of the early chapters of Genesis, Rob leads a discussion of the beasts. In Genesis, humanity was called to rule over the beasts. Instead, humanity chose to decide right and wrong for themselves. As a result, instead of ruling the beasts, humanity becomes a beast (Dan 4). And instead of ruling the beasts, humanity is ruled by the beast--that is, human governments are viewed as beasts. 

 

We have seen that Genesis 1-3 establishes that the covenant God of Israel, the God who called Abraham, the God who appeared to Moses on Sinai, the God who revealed Himself as the Lord God (Yahweh Elohim) is the God who created all things (Gen 2:4).

 

We have also noted that God planted a garden in Eden where He would dwell within His creation. Thus, Eden was a temple. In addition, later biblical writers affirm that the garden was on a mountain (Ezek 28:14, 16; Exod 15:17; Ezek 40:2; 43:12; Rev 21:10) and it was a place full of precious stones (Gen 2:12; Ezek 28:13). In the “middle” of the Garden was the Tree of Life (2:9). Finally, from the Garden, the river of life flowed and watered the earth (2:10).

 

We have also seen that Adam and Eve were created to “subdue” the earth and to “rule” over the animals (Gen 1:26-28). They are called to rule well. As they subdue the earth, they are reminded that the plants are given as food to the animals as well (1:30). Thus, they are not to rule for themselves alone.

 

The creation narrative of Gen 2 describes Adam and Eve not simply as gardeners, but also as priests. As priests they are to “cultivate” and “keep” the Garden (2:15)—when these two words occur together they refer either to Israelites ‘serving’ God and ‘guarding’ God’s word or to priests who ‘keep’ the ‘service’ of the tabernacle (Num 3:7-8; 8:25-26; 18:5-6; 1 Chr 23:32; Ezek 44:14).

 

Adam and Eve are to be one, and as such, they are to Image God—who is One (John 17:21). Adam’s naming of the animals (Gen 2:19-20) was his first effort to rule. The problem is that Adam was not made to rule alone. He needed a “helper”—i.e., someone to come alongside and join him as an equal in the task of ruling and subduing.

 

To rule well Adam and Eve will also need the “knowledge of God and bad” (Gen 2:16-17). The question will be whether or not they trust God to give them such knowledge, or if they will decide to determine good and bad for themselves.

 

This means that we may understand the biblical conflict in terms of kingdoms. Is God the king, or will we attempt to rule ourselves? We know what happens. Humanity chooses to make its own rules. They determine to become god themselves. The Bible then follows the narrative of human history by turning this on its head. Instead, of humanity ruling over the beasts, the beasts rule humanity. Humanity becomes beasts.

 

Kingdom of God is like a tree Mark 4:30-32

• Birds rest in its shade

 

Understanding the Beasts

Daniel: Goal: to encourage the Israelites that God is sovereign over the earthly kingdoms

 

A simple look at Daniel suggests it has 2 distinct parts

Chs 1-6 ____________________ of Daniel and his friends

• Simple stories of faith in a hostile foreign setting
• Others have visions and Daniel interprets them

 

Chs 7-12 ___________________ of Daniel

• Daniel has visions and are interpreted for him
• Obscure apocalyptic visions

 

Yet, Daniel is more complicated than this

Chs 1:1-2:3, 8:1-12:13 written in Hebrew

Chs 2:4-7:28 written in Aramaic

 

Daniel as a _____________________  

Dream about four earthly kingdoms and God’s kingdom (ch 2)

Story of Jews being faithful in the face of death (ch 3)

Story of royal arrogance, which is humbled (ch 4)

                        Story of royal arrogance, which is humbled (ch 5)

            Story of a Jew who is faithful in the face of death (ch 6)  

Vision of four earthly kingdoms and God’s kingdom (ch 7)

 

Daniel 4

Themes: God’s sovereignty: “That the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, And bestows it on whom He wishes” (4:17)

• Most High is the sovereign/ruler (17, 25, 32)
• Kingship of God v Nebuchadnezzar (17, 18, 22, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31, 32, 34, 36, 37)
• God is: “Most High God” (2); Most High (17, 24, 25, 32, 34)
• He humbles those who walk in pride (37)

Nebuchadnezzar becomes _____________________ (4:31-32)

 

Daniel 7:1-27

Theme: God will defeat the seemingly unconquerable powers that oppress His people

Four great beasts arise from the sea (7:3)

 

Represent _________________________________ that will arise on the earth (7:17)

 

Beasts are _________________________________ with the saints and overpowering them (21)

 

Revelation 13:1-8

The Beast

Rev 13 is a composite of the 4 beasts of Dan 7

• 10 horns, 7 heads
• Like a leopard; feet like a bear, mouth like a lion (Dan 7:4-6)
• Comes up out of the sea (Dan 7:3)
• Speaks blasphemies (little horn; Dan 7:8, 11, 20)
• God is the object of the blasphemies (Dan 7:25)

Wages war against the saints (13:7; Dan 7:21)

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NB: our goal is to keep these episodes free of charge. I do not intend to ever hide them behind a paywall. I can only do this if those of you who have been blessed by them and can afford to give ($5, $10, $25, or more/month) do so. You can give a tax-deductible contribution by following this link.

 

 

Good news: If you wish to view these podcasts on your smartphone through the Determinetruth app simply download the “tithe.ly church” app on your smartphone and insert “determinetruth” as the church name you wish to follow. Once it is loaded, simply click on the “blog” icon and they will automatically load. 

 

If you would like to have Rob and/or Vinnie speak at your church or organization in person or via zoom, please let us know by filling out the contact info on the Contact me tab on this Rob’s determinetruth site.

 

If you have questions that you would like addressed in future episodes, you may submit them in the Contact me tab on this site. 

 

In this episode, Rob leads a study of the book of Genesis and a detailed look at the command for humanity to "rule" and "subdue."  We then discuss what this means in terms of creation care and other issues facing the 21st world.   

NB: We apologize that the sound quality is not perfect. We would like to fix it but we don't know how!!!

 

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NB: our goal is to keep these episodes free of charge. I do not intend to ever hide them behind a paywall. I can only do this if those of you who have been blessed by them and can afford to give ($5, $10, $25, or more/month) do so. You can give a tax-deductible contribution by following this link.

 

In this episode, Rob leads a study of the book of Genesis and a detailed look at the Tree of Life. From Genesis through the OT and the Life of Jesus (who was died on a tree) to the Tree of Life in the New Jerusalem, trees play a prominent role in the Bible. Jesus even says, "a good tree bears good fruit." The Psalmist equates a person who studies God's word with a "tree planted by streams of water, whose leaf does not wither."  

 

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NB: our goal is to keep these episodes free of charge. I do not intend to ever hide them behind a paywall. I can only do this if those of you who have been blessed by them and can afford to give ($5, $10, $25, or more/month) do so. You can give a tax-deductible contribution by following this link.

Notes:

Gen 2:8-17

Notes: Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of good and bad

 

1. God planted a garden in Eden (8)

 

1. Tree of life and the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil (9)

 

1. Tree of life _______________________ the Garden! 2:9

 

1. ‘Knowledge of good and bad’
   1. ra does not mean ‘evil’ when it is coupled with ‘good’; instead it means “bad” (cf Gen 24:50; 31:24; Lev 27:9-15; Num 13:19; 24:13; Deut 30:15)

 

1. 1. “To know” in Hebrew is _____________________________ (Gen 4:1)

 

1. 1. The knowledge of good and bad is what enables a person to ____________________________________: (Deut 1:39; 1 Kings 3:9)

 

4. Does mankind ___________________________ what is good and what it evil? or does  determination?

 

1. 1. This knowledge is not a bad thing in this context. The bad comes in terms of _________________________ by which they acquire it

 

1. 1. Tree of good and evil means:                                                               those who are legally responsible for their actions (1 Kings 3:9); ability to make moral pronouncements

 

1. 1. ‘Discerning good and evil’ is a Hebrew expression referring to kings and authority figures making judgments in ________________________________ 2 Sam 14:17; 19:35; 1 Kings 3:9; Isa 7:15-16

 

1. 1. Adam/Eve were to discern between good and evil! They were supposed to pronounce the _________________________ as evil! And to judge it! Once it entered the Garden Adam/Eve should have deemed its presence as wrong and forbid entry

 

Trees/Mountains

Trees are the most frequently occurring living thing in the Bible behind God and humans

 

Ps 1:1-6

 

This is what the entire book of ________________________ is about!

• It is all to be meditated upon! (Ps 1)

The answer is that the _______________________ is the _______________________wisdom! (Prov 1:1-7)

 

In today's study, we look at the creation account in Gen 2 and then survey the biblical literature to see how the theme of the river of life appears throughout the Bible climaxing in the Gospel of John and the water coming from Jesus' side and then culminating in the river that comes from the Throne in Rev 22:1-3. 

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NB: our goal is to keep these episodes free of charge. I do not intend to ever hide them behind a paywall. I can only do this if those of you who have been blessed by them and can afford to give ($5, $10, $25, or more/month) do so. You can give a tax-deductible contribution by following this link.

 

Biblical pattern 

1. Chaos             
2. Creation        
3. Commission of kings for divine glory 
4. Sinful fall       
5. Exile                 

 

Gen 2:4-14

2:4

1. ‘These are the _____________________” (4; 5:1; 6:9; 10:1; 11:10; 11:27; 25:12; 25:19; 36:1; 36:9?; 37:2) 
2. When the ‘Lord God’ (Yahweh-Elohim): the Name that was revealed to Moses (Yahweh/Lord) combined with the name for God (Elohim) in Gen 1:1-2:3.

1. 1. Identifies that the covenant God of Israel is responsible for the creation!!

 

2:7-9 Events: forming of man, planting garden, placing of man 

1. Man made from dust (7; 1 Cor 15:45) Adam from the Adamah
2. Breathed into his nostrils the _____________________________

1. 1. Divine breath given to all; not just the royal figures
   2. Ruach God’s personal presence: energy, wind, breath, spirit

1. God planted a garden ________ Eden (2:8, 10; 4:16)
2. Adam is moved to this garden; he returns to his former place (3:23)
3. Tree of life and the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil/bad (9): planted by God!

1. 1. Tree of Life: used throughout the OT (Gen 2:9; 3:22, 24; Prov 3:18; 11:30; 13:12; 15:4); and in the NT—though here it is used in the context of a re-creation (Rev 2:7; 22:2, 14, 19) 
   2. Tree of Good and bad (Gen 24:50; 31:24; Lev 27:9-15; Num 13:19; 24:13; Deut 30:15)
   3. ‘Discerning good and evil’ is a Hebrew expression referring to kings and authority figures making judgments in carrying out justice

 

2:10-14 Excursus: the four rivers 

1. 4 rivers (10) 

1. 1. Pishon (11)
   2. Gihon (13)

1. 1. 1. Spring in Jerusalem (1 Kings 1:33, 38, 45)
   2. Tigris (14); east of Assur/Assyria
   3. Euphrates (only river not associated with a land) 

 

Waters

Joel 3:18

Zech 14:8

Isa 2 

Rev 22:1-5

Ezek 40-48

John 2, 3, 4, 7, 13, 19-Spirit 

In this study, Rob leads a group through Gen 1:26-28 and discusses the questions of "what does it mean that humankind is made in the Image of God"? and "who was God speaking to when He said, "Let us make man in Our Image"?  

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Notes for today's study

1:24-31: Day 6: Land animals and Man

5 elements in the formation of humankind

• God blessed them
• Fruitful and multiply
• Fill the earth
• Subdue the earth
• Rule over all the earth

Cp 1:28; Noah 9:1-7; Abraham 12:2-3; 17:2, 6, 8; 22:17-18; Isaac 26:3, 4, 24; Jacob 28:3-4, 13-14; 35:11-12; 47:27; 48:3-4; Israel Exod 1:7, 12, 20; Num 23:10-11; Deut 7:13; Ps 107:38

Cp Lev 26:9; Deut 7:13; 15:4-6; 28:11-12; 30:16; 1 Chron 4:10; 17:9-11, 27; Ps 8:5-8; 107:37-38; Isa 51:2-3; 54:1-3; Jer 3:16, 18; 23:3; Ezek 36:9-12; Hos 1:10

 

1. Creation of mankind (26)

1. Change from ‘let there be . . .’ to ‘let us make . . .’
2. Repetition of ‘God created man . . . He created them . . . male and female He created them’
3. Addition of ‘subdue and rule over’

 

1. ‘Let us make man in our image and in our likeness’: stress point in the formation of mankind
2. Hebrew parallelism? No difference between the two terms?
3. All are made in God’s image
4. To be human is to bear God’s image
5. Rom 8:29; 2 Cor 3:18; Eph 4:23-24; Col 3:10: one is becoming the image of God through the process of salvation
6. ‘Let them rule’: (26): Subdue (kabas) the earth and Rule (radah) over the creatures (28)

1. Subdue the earth: may suggest no more than the task of agriculture
2. Rule over the creatures: exercising dominion over the rest of creation

1. God delegates to mankind His own kingly authority
2. This is the role of Image Bearers

1. 1:28: adds ‘subdue’: more forceful; indicates subjecting the one to slavery; here it probably parallels 2:5, 15 ‘keep the land’
2. Man is distinguished sexually; not by various species (sexual distinction with the animals comes in 6:19)
3. ‘Male and female’: specifies who it was that was made in the image of God

1. The dominion was not for the sake of ruling in itself; but for the well-being of that which they rule over

1. Be fruitful and multiply (28; Cf Isa 45:18) Created it to be inhabited

1. Commission given to Noah (9:1, 7); Abraham (12:2-3; 17:2, 6, 8; 22:16-18); Isaac (26:3, 4, 24); Jacob (28:3-4, 14; 35:11-12; 48:3, 15-16); to Israel (Gen  47:27; Deut 7:13; Exod 1:7; Ps 107:38; Isa 51:2; Lev 26:9; Jer 3:16; 23:3; Ezek 36:10-11, 29-30;
2. Thus, Israel was to embody the purpose for humanity

1. ‘It was very good’ (31)

 

Adam and Even fail and the commission of Gen 1:28 is given to:

• Noah 9:1, 7
• Abraham 12:2-3; 17:2, 6, 8, 16; 22:18
• Isaac 26:3-4, 24
• Jacob 28:3-4, 14; 35:11-12; 48:3, 15-16
• Israel Deut 7:13; Gen 47:27; Exod 1:7; Ps 107:38; Isa 51:2

 

 

Understanding Gen 1 in light of the NT!

 

Rev 1:6 Kings/queens priests

Rev 5:9-10

Rev 20:4

Mark 10:42-45

Luke 22:29-30

Exod 19:4-6

Exod 17

Mark 10:42-45

Luke 22

1 Pet 2:9

In this study, Rob leads a look at Genesis 1 and the creation account. What is the meaning of the waters? 

See notes below: 

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Notes:

Rev 21:1

Rev 17:1, 15

Ps 69:1-4

 

1:1-2 Preface: initial conditions before Day 1

1. ‘Heavens (sky) and the Earth (land)’
2. Earth/land was formless and void (2)
3. Spirit (Ruach) was hovering over the waters

1:3-5: Day 1: Light and Darkness

1. ‘And God said’ (3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26, 28, 29)
2. Separates the light and the darkness

1:6-8: Day 2: Sea and Sky

1. 1:6: ‘Let there be an expanse’ (firmament): basic idea is ‘spreading out’
2. 1:7 Waters below the expanse from waters above it
3. 1:8 Expanse: ‘heaven’ or ‘sky’

1:9-13: Day 3: Land, Sea, Vegetation

1. 1:9 Dry land and seas formed
2. 1:10 Land called ‘earth’: this is the last time God names anything
3. 1:11: Vegetation: (only 2 kinds of vegetation: cp 1:29-30)
4. 1:12 ‘According to their kind’

 

1:14-19: Day 4: Light Bearers in the Heavens

1. 1:14: ‘Let there be lights/luminaries’: use of ‘greater light’ and ‘lesser light’: are probably an attempt to avoid the names ‘sun’ and ‘moon’; which were used for various deities

 

1:20-23: Day 5: Sea animals and Birds

1. 1:21: 2 kinds of creatures live in the water:

1. Large: ‘great sea monsters’ tannin: also used of sea creatures who opposed God (Ps 74:13-14; Isa 27:1; 51:9)
2. Smaller fish

 

1. 1:22-23: God blesses them: ‘Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the seas . . . earth’

 

1:24-31: Day 6: Land animals and Man

1. 1:24: 3 categories of land animals

1. ‘Cattle’: large quadrupeds which are domesticated
2. ‘Reptiles’: lizards, snakes
3. ‘Beasts’: corresponds with the Heb. ‘living thing’: every kind of wild animal

 

1. 1:26: Creation of man

1. Change from ‘let there be . . .’ to ‘let us make . . .’
2. Repetition of ‘God created man . . . He created them . . . male and female He created them’

 

3. Addition of ‘subdue and rule over’
   1. ‘Let us make man in our image’
   2. ‘Let them rule’: After spelling out man’s relationship with God, Gen 1 now explains man’s relationship with the rest of creation

 

1. 1:29-30: Every plant and tree for food

 

1. ‘It was very good’

 

2:1-3: Day 7: Rest  

1. 2:1-3: completed

 

1. 2:3 God blessed the 7^th day

 

Rob and Vinnie continue their overview of the Gospel and examine Jesus' parable of the shrewd steward and the Rich Man and Lazarus in Luke 16. Then they wrestle with the question of what this looks like in the American Church today. 

 

Please "follow" this podcast, give a review on iTunes or Spotify and share it with others so that we can get the word of the Gospel of the Kingdom to more people! 

 

Please share this podcast and let others know about determinetruth. 

 

NB: our goal is to keep these posts free of charge. I do not intend to ever hide them behind a paywall. I can only do this if those of you who have been blessed by them and can afford to give ($5, $10, $25, or more/month) do so. You can give a tax-deductible contribution by following this link.

 

Good news: If you wish to view these podcasts on your smartphone through the Determinetruth app simply download the “tithe.ly church” app on your smartphone and insert “determinetruth” as the church name you wish to follow. Once it is loaded, simply click on the “blog” icon and they will automatically load. 

 

If you would like to have Rob and/or Vinnie speak at your church or organization in person or via zoom, please let us know by filling out the contact info on the Contact me tab on this Rob’s determinetruth site.

Rob and Vinnie continue their overview of the Gospel of Luke by looking at Jesus' message and how it was revolutionary then and what it means for us today. The episode is a bit longer as they wrestle (no not literally) with the issues of love and justice today. 

here is the link to my blog "Pro-life means Pro-all-life" 

 

Please "follow" this podcast, give a review on iTunes or Spotify and share it with others so that we can get the word of the Gospel of the Kingdom to more people! 

 

Please share this podcast and let others know about determinetruth. 

 

NB: our goal is to keep these posts free of charge. I do not intend to ever hide them behind a paywall. I can only do this if those of you who have been blessed by them and can afford to give ($5, $10, $25, or more/month) do so. You can give a tax-deductible contribution by following this link.

 

 

Good news: If you wish to view these podcasts on your smartphone through the Determinetruth app simply download the “tithe.ly church” app on your smartphone and insert “determinetruth” as the church name you wish to follow. Once it is loaded, simply click on the “blog” icon and they will automatically load. 

 

If you would like to have Rob and/or Vinnie speak at your church or organization in person or via zoom, please let us know by filling out the contact info on the Contact me tab on this Rob’s determinetruth site.

 

If you have questions that you would like addressed in future episodes, you may submit them in the Contact me tab on this site. 

In this episode, Rob and Vinnie address the background of the Gospel of Luke in order to help us understand this Gospel. They address the Roman system of patronage and how that impacted the poor and marginalized in the Roman world and how Jesus enters that world and demands that His followers turn it upside down. 

 

Here is a link to Warren Carter's book The Roman Empire: an Essential Guide Carter has a number of works that provide research into the economic and social background of the Roman Empire 

Here is a link to the Amazon page with series of books "A week in the life of . . ." 

 

Please "follow" this podcast, give a review on iTunes or Spotify and share it with others so that we can get the word of the Gospel of the Kingdom to more people! 

 

Please share this podcast and let others know about determinetruth. 

 

If you have been blessed by this podcast and would like to see others benefit too, would you please consider giving a tax-deductible contribution to support determinetruth ministries and make possible future podcasts like this? You may give a tax-deductible gift by following this link

 

Good news: If you wish to view these podcasts on your smartphone through the Determinetruth app simply download the “tithe.ly church” app on your smartphone and insert “determinetruth” as the church name you wish to follow. Once it is loaded, simply click on the “blog” icon and they will automatically load. 

 

If you would like to have Rob and/or Vinnie speak at your church or organization in person or via zoom, please let us know by filling out the contact info on the Contact me tab on this Rob’s determinetruth site.

 

Rob and Vinnie hosted two Russian Christian ("Daniel" and "Isaiah") as well to two former missionaries in Russia (Phil and Sacha Opperman) to discuss the Church in Russia, the war and its impact, and how we as Christians can support our brothers and sisters in Christ during this time. 

Please "follow" this podcast, give a review on iTunes or Spotify and share it with others so that we can get the word of the Gospel of the Kingdom to more people! 

Please share this podcast and let others know about determinetruth. 

NB: our goal is to keep these posts free of charge. I do not intend to ever hide them behind a paywall. I can only do this if those of you who have been blessed by them and can afford to give ($5, $10, $25, or more/month) do so. You can give a tax-deductible contribution by following this link.