Thursday, January 29, 2009

Luke, and the Cultural transition of the Gospel

Sir William Ramsay quotes a commentator on Luke as saying he "can be as Hebraistic as the Septuagint and as free from Hebraisms as Plutarch" and that Luke can be Greek when describing Greek society and Hebrew when describing Hebrew society.

Relate those comments with Andrew Walls' theory that the Gospel transitioned cultural mileu at specific times in history. It seems to me that in Luke we are seeing an early example of the transition of the Gospel to Greek culture.

Luke then stands out as unique among the New Testament writers, as someone fully Greek but with a firm understanding of the Hebrew culture.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Worldview Presentation Assignment

Find three people and ask them the following questions about what they believe. They can be relatives, parents, friends, or fellow church members. Refrain from sharing your own views until they have given their responses. This will prevent you from influencing their answers.

1. Does God exist? If so, what is He is like and how do you know?
2. What is real? Is reality merely matter, an illusion, some combination, or something else?
3. What is the origin of life and the universe?
4. Are human beings special? Are we just animals? Do we have souls? Are we basically good or basically bad or something else?
5. What is right and wrong? How do we know?

Monday, January 26, 2009

The Six Better Questions

When Jesus was asked a question often He would answer with a better question. Here are six better questions you can ask when defending your faith before skeptics.

1. What do you mean by that?
2. How do you know that's true?
3. Where did you get your information?
4. What happens if you're wrong?
5, How did you come to that conclusion?
6. Have you ever considered this?

Helpful rules
1. Listen first, answer second
2. Win the person not the argument
3. Argue don't quarrel
4. Realize its a long term investment
5. Use your resources
a. "I don't know but I'll get back with you"

h/t goes to Summit.org

Monday, January 19, 2009

El Jefe

For you Erick!