This article looks at the genealogies of Jesus recorded in the gospels of Matthew and Luke, and provides insights into why these two lists of ancestors differs. Matthew and Luke had very different purposes in collating the genealogical history of Jesus. Matthew shows that Jesus has far greater honour and acclaim as Son of God than as son of David. Luke elaborates Jesus’ distinguished lineage: divine, royal, and priestly. The article ends with Paul’s use of genealogies to emphasize that we are all called to be adopted children of God: legally eligible to participate in our Father’s inheritance.
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37:19
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37:19
How God Speaks to Us
When you and I sit down to read the Bible we are, in a sense, eavesdropping. We are learning by listening in to what are ancient conversations: that is, God speaking to ancient people living in very different times and cultures. While God was speaking to them, He was also speaking for our benefit. We should still agree with Paul’s words to Timothy about the inspiration and profitability of Scripture. After all, God had the Bible compiled for us. We need to ask what God’s message is for me in what I am reading. We still learn what we need to do to be part of His plans and we still learn how He wants us to live in our world and society – if we listen with care, thought and prayer.
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30:37
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30:37
Origins of Psalm 23
Psalm 23 is probably the best known of all the Psalms. It is simple, yet profound and beautiful. People know it. People quote it. But why did David write it? What were the circumstances that led him to these particular words? We can’t know the answer for certain, but it turns out that every stanza of the Psalm corresponds very closely with what happened as David had to flee from Jerusalem in the face of Absalom’s rebellion. Psalm 23 is also an example of prayer, with David meditating about God and praying to Him. This Psalm itself is worth praying frequently. There will come a day when each one of us faces our own valley of the shadow of death.
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24:23
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24:23
The Role of Israel
The conflict in Gaza is a tragedy. The war crimes perpetrated by both Hamas and the Israeli government are entirely alien to the character and values of the Lord God. There is no defence to be made of such crimes on the grounds of genealogy or biological descent. The children of God, the children of the promise, are determined by faith, not blood, and those who would live up to that calling have moral responsibility to reflect the character and values of God by showing love to all. We, as followers of Christ, have no business taking sides in this conflict. Even if these events are Signs of the Times, we should also recognise them as a tragedy. Our focus, then, should not be taking sides with the immoral, but being moved with compassion for the suffering that we see.
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26:03
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26:03
Women in Biblical Genealogies
This article looks at some instances of women in Biblical genealogies, particularly noticing the difference between the egalitarian status of women in God’s plan and purpose in Genesis, and how women were actually regarded as subordinate to men in ANE culture. The place of a woman in patrilineal genealogies is usually in a supporting role that informs the status of the men with whom she is associated.
Press On is a Christadelphian journal. We publish engaging perspectives, expressed with enthusiasm and love for other believers. Press On aspires to stimulate growth in the Christadelphian community by helping it draw strength from its diversity, following the spirit of 1 Cor 12, and Rom 12 — one body, made up of different parts, all of whom are dependent on each other. As in the first century, our community of faith can benefit from both progressive and traditional perspectives so long as they are explored compassionately and without factionalism. That is what we are trying to do. As a listener of Press On, you may come across perspectives you have not encountered before. Some topics you may immediately resonate with and be thrilled by. Others you might disagree with. Our goal is that either way, you come away without feeling talked down to and with something worth considering.
Ireland