Fear – Genesis, Part 4

God had changed Jacob’s name to Israel.1  Jacob kept the oath he made at Bethel2 that the Lord would become his God.  After he left Paddan Aram, Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem in the land of Canaan, and he camped near the city.  Then he purchased the portion...

Romans, Part 35

After the crescendo of faith and victory in Christ at the end of chapter eight, Paul’s abrupt admission at the beginning of chapter nine is disconcerting.  I am telling the truth in Christ (I am not lying!), for my conscience assures me in the Holy Spirit – I have...

Fear – Genesis, Part 3

When there was a famine in the land Abraham’s son Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines at Gerar.1  The Lord appeared to Isaac and said (Genesis 26:2-5 NET): Do not go down to Egypt; settle down in the land that I will point out to you.  Stay in this land....

Romans, Part 34

What then shall we say about these things? Paul continued.  If God is for (ὑπὲρ) us, who can be against (καθ᾿, a form of κατά) us?1  It would be a mistake to think that Paul implied that no one is, or would be, against us.  Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come...

Fear – Genesis, Part 2

I’m studying fear in the Old Testament to better understand how fear has ended in Christ yet the concept of fearing God continued in the New Testament.  Peter wrote, Honor all people, love the family of believers, fear (φοβεῖσθε, a form of φοβέω) God, honor the...

Romans, Part 33

In the same way, Paul continued, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groaning (στεναγμοῖς, a form of στεναγμός).1  I think in the same way above referred back to 1) the...

Fear – Genesis, Part 1

Paul was not the only one to write about the end of fear.  John also wrote, There is no fear (φόβος) in love, but perfect love drives out fear (φόβον, a form of φόβος), because fear (φόβος) has to do with punishment (κόλασιν, a form of κόλασις).  The one who fears...

Twilight Revisited

My daughter and I saw “Breaking Dawn, Part 2” the other day, the final movie of the Twilight saga.  The heroine Bella (Kristen Stewart) died at the end of Part 1 and was reborn in Part 2 as a beautiful, powerful vampire.  Bella was warned that her lust for human blood...

Romans, Part 32

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery leading again to fear (φόβον, a form of φόβος), Paul continued, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.”1  Human beings have been afraid of God ever since Adam died and hid from Him, saying,...