Appendices

Dancing in the Kingdom- Table of Contents

Appendix L – Bibliography

A Study of Denominations “Evangelicalism” www.astudyofdenominations.com/movements/evangelicalism/

Accessible Prophecy, “Understanding the Prophetic Function” Accessible Prophecy accessibleprophecy.com/2019/02/13/understanding-the-prophetic-function/

Acreman, Thomas. “Western Civilization prior to World War I” Classic History 25 May 2015 www.classichistory.net/archives/western-civilization-prior-to-world-war-I

All About God “Faithfulness of God” allaboutgod.com/faithfulness-of-god.htm

All About God “God is Infinite Bible Verses” All About God www.allaboutgod.com/god-is-infinite-bible-verses-faq.htm

All About Philosophy “Blind Men and the Elephant, www.allaboutphilosophy.org/blind-men-and-the-elephant.htm

Amesbury, Richard. “Fideism” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy ©2016 plato.stanford.edu/entries/fideism

Aquinas, Thomas, “Summa Theologica,” Vol 2, Question109: Of Truth

Arch, David “Ask Questions Like the Master Teacher” Christianity Today www.christianitytoday.com/biblestudies/articles/churchhomeleadership/040602.htm

Arendt, Hannah. “The Human Condition” University of Chicago Press, 1958, p.244

Armstrong, David, “Christianity Crucial to the origin of science,” Patheos, 18 Oct 2015, www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2015/10/christianity-crucial-to-the-origin-of-science.html

Arsenault, Bill. “Grace vs. Mercy – What’s the Difference?” Faith Island 10 Sept 2017 faithisland.org/grace/grace-vs-mercy-whats-the-difference/

Baab, Lynne M. “The Surprise of Fasting” Lynnebaab.com www.lynnebaab.com/blog/the-surprise-of-fasting

Bacher, Wilhelm and Dembitz, Lewis N. “Synagogue” Jewish Encyclopedia www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/14160-synagogue

Bacon, Francis. “The Two Books of Francis Bacon of the Proficience and Advancement of Learning, Divine and Human.” The First Book. Section.VI.Paragraph.16 1605

Bacote, Vincent. “The Spirit and Institution Building” Comment Magazine, Sept 2005, comment.org/the-spirit-and-institution-building

Ball, Steven. “A Christian Physicist Examines Noah’s Flood and Plate Tectonics LeTourneau University www.letu.edu/academics/arts-and-sciences/files/plate-tectonics.pdf.

Banbury, Rosalind. “God Laments” Presbyterian Outlook pres-outlook.org/2021/03/horizons-8-god-laments

Barkers, Ewald. “Eclectic Energies Enneagram Tests (Free).”  Eclectic Energies www.eclecticenergies.com/enneagram/test

Barkman, Robert C. “Why the Human Brain Is So Good at Detecting Patterns” Psychology Today 19 May 2021 www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/singular-perspective/202105/why-the-human-brain-is-so-good-detecting-patterns

Basulto, Dominic. “Humans Are the World’s Best Pattern-Recognition Machines, But for How Long?” Big Think 24 July 2013 bigthink.com/endless-innovation/humans-are-the-worlds-best-pattern-recognition-machines-but-for-how-long

Baumgartner, Jeffrey. “The Basics of Creative Problem Solving – CPS” Innovation Management, innovationmanagement.se/imtool-articles/the-basics-of-creative-problem-solving-cps/

Beale, Stephen. “God’s Tender Mercy in the Old Testament” Catholic Exchange 10 Feb 2021 catholicexchange.com/gods-tender-mercy-in-the-old-testament

Beecher, Henry Ward. “The Life of H. W Beecher” Chapter 4. Plymouth Church (p. 77)

Benner, Jeff A. “Hebrew Alphabet Chart” Ancient Hebrew Research Center www.ancient-hebrew.org/alphabet_chart.html

Benner, Jeff A. “No’ahh” Ancient Hebrew Research Center http://www.ancient-hebrew.org/mt/articles_names.html

Benner, Jeff A. “The Living Words: Sabbath” Ancient Hebrew Research Center www.ancient-hebrew.org/living-words/the-living-words-sabbath.htm

BibleAsk “Did the Israelites spend 400 years in Egypt?” BibleAsk bibleask.org/did-the-israelites-spend-400-years-in-egypt

Bible Project “Ancient Jewish Meditation Literature” Bible Project bibleproject.com/explore/video/bible-jewish-meditation-literature-h2r

Bible Project “Heaven and Earth,” Bible Project thebibleproject.com/explore/heaven-earth

Bible Project “How To Read the Bible” Podcast Series Bible Project bibleproject.com/podcast/series/how-to-read-the-bible-series

Bible Project “Pursuing God, Heaven and Earth,” Bible Project www.pursuegod.org/biblical-themes-an-animated-explanation-of-heaven-earth

Bible Project “The Jewish Exile – How it made the Bible” Bible Project 1 Feb 2018 bibleproject.com/podcast/jewish-exile-how-it-made-bible

Bible Study Tools “Chapter III – Method of Theology” Bible Study Tools www.biblestudytools.com/classics/strong-systematic-theology/part-i-prolegomena/chapter-iii-method-of-theology.html

Bible Study Tools “John 6:15” Bible Study Tools www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-the-bible/john-6-15.html

Bible.org “A Brief Note on a Textual Problem in 2 Peter 3:10” Bible.org bible.org/article/brief-note-textual-problem-2-peter-310

Bible.org “Christ and Cultures: Multiculturalism and the Gospel of Christ” Bible.org bible.org/seriespage/12-christ-and-cultures-multiculturalism-and-gospel-christ.

Biblehub “Acts 3:21” Barnes Notes on the Bible Bible Hub biblehub.com/commentaries/acts/3-21.htm

Biblehub “Elohim” Strong’s Concordance, Bible Hub biblehub.com/hebrew/430.htm

Biblehub “Genesis 1:2” Bible Hub biblehub.com/commentaries/genesis/1-2.htm

Biblehub “John 20:22” Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges biblehub.com/commentaries/john/20-22.htm

Biblehub “Matthew 3:13” Bible Hub biblehub.com/commentaries/matthew/3-13.htm

Biblehub ἐνεφύσησεν, Bible Hub biblehub.com/greek/enephyse_sen_1720.htm

Biblehub. “1577 Ekklesia” Bible Hub biblehub.com/Greek/1577.htm

Biblestudy.org “When was the New Testament Written?” BibleStudy.org www.biblestudy.org/beginner/when-was-new-testament-written.html

Biblical Archaeology Society, “What are the Dead Sea Scrolls” www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-artifacts/dead-sea-scrolls/what_are_the_dead_sea_scrolls/

Bishop, Tom. “Shakespeare and the Bible” Academia.edu www.academia.edu/12388291/Shakespeare_and_the_Bible

Blue Letter Bible “ezer,”Strong’s concordance, Blue Letter Bible   www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?t=kjv&strongs=h5828

Blue Letter Bible “Our Lord’s Parables” Blue Letter Bible www.dailywordofgodgroup.com/why-jesus-taught-in-parables.htm

Brister, Tim. “6 Destructive Ways We Minimize Our Own Sin” Bible Study Tools www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/6-destructive-ways-we-minimize-our-own-sin.html

Bukus, Russell A. “The Stewardship of Creation” The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2002 www.baylor.edu/ifl/christianreflection/CreationarticleButkus.pdf 

Burtchaell, James Tunstead. “From Synagogue to Church: Public Services and Offices in the Earliest Christian Communities” Cambridge University Press 1992

Burton, Neel. “How the Language You Speak Influences the Way You Think” Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hide-and-seek/201808/how-the-language-you-speak-influences-the-way-you-think

Buzenitz, Nathan. “The New Jerusalem,” Cripplegate, 8 April 2017 thecripplegate.com/the-new-jerusalem-2/

Carlson, Reed. “Commentary on Genesis 1:1-2:4a 12 Working Preacher Sept 2011 www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/narrative-lectionary/creation-by-the-word/commentary-on-genesis-11-24a-5

Capstick, Lily. TedX Mile High www.tedxmilehigh.com/life-mapping-exercise/

Carver, Jeff. “Spiritual Gifts Test – Adult Version” Spiritual Gifts Test spiritualgiftstest.com/spiritual-gifts-test-adult-version

Catholic Encyclopedia “Penance” Catholic Encyclopedia catholic.com/encyclopedia/Penance

Chabad.org “The Oral Law” Chabod.org www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/2056/jewish/The-Oral-Law.htm

Chamary, JV. “A Biologist Explains: What is Life?” Forbes 27 Mar 2019 www.forbes.com/sites/jvchamary/2019/03/27/what-is-life/?sh=1b6decc31c77

Chambers, Oswald. My Utmost for His Highest 1924 eBook p. 64

Chaplin, Jonathan. “Loving Faithful Institutions: Building Blocks of a Just Global Society” The Other Journal 15 Mar 2010 theotherjournal.com/2010/04/15/loving-faithful-institutions-building-blocks-of-a-just-global-society

Chechowich, Dr. Faye. “Journaling as a Spiritual Discipline” BibleGateway www.biblegateway.com/resources/scripture-engagement/journaling-scripture/spiritual-discipline

Chilcote, Paul and Warner, Laceye “The Study of Evangelism: Exploring a Missional Practice of the Church.” Wm B Eerdmans Publishing Co. 2008 Chapter Four, Leslie Newbigin. Evangelism in the context of secularization.

Christian Bible Reference Site. “Should the Bible Be Interpreted Literally?” christianbiblereference.org www.christianbiblereference.org/faq_BibleTrue.htm#:~:text=Literal%20Bible%20Interpretation%20Many%20fundamentalists%20believed%20the%20Holy,true.%20Anything%20less%20would%20be%20unworthy%20of%20God

Churchill, Winston. Made in a speech in the House of Commons on October 28,1943 about replacing the bombed-out House of Commons chamber. Quote given Automated Buildings automatedbuildings.com/news/aug20/articles/lynxspring/200721102909lynxspring.html

Clear Creek Community Church. www.clearcreek.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Life-Map-Exercise-Update-3.24.20.pdf

Clinton, Robert. Soul Care soulcare.net/resources/Life%20Mapping%20Exercise.pdf

Closer to Truth, “Is God Temporal or Timeless,” Closter to Truth www.closertotruth.com/series/god-temporal-or-timeless

Cohen, Kenneth. “An Analysis of the ‘Chumra’” The Times of Israel  8 Oct 2015 blogs.timesofisrael.com/an-analysis-of-the-chumra

Colbrook, Niamh. “Inhabiting Our Feeling Bodies” Comment Essay 26 Aug 2021 comment.org/inhabiting-our-feeling-bodies

Cole, Stephen J. “Lesson 51: How God Uses Ordinary People (Genesis 26:1-35)” Bible.org 29 Aug 2013 bible.org/seriespage/lesson-51-how-god-uses-ordinary-people-genesis-261-35

Cole, Stephen J. “Psalms An Overview: God’s Inspired Hymnbook” Bible.org bible.org/seriespage/psalms-overview-god%E2%80%99s-inspired-hymnbook 

Compelling Truth “Does God Pursue Us?” Compelling Truth www.compellingtruth.org/does-God-pursue-us.html

Compelling Truth. “What is the meaning of perichoresis” www.compellingtruth.org/perichoresis.html

Cook, Alison. “The Most Important Gift” Alisoncookphd.com www.alisoncookphd.com/the-most-important-gift and “Saying Yes To Yourself” 2 Dec 2020 www.alisoncookphd.com/saying-yes-to-yourself

Copeland, Peter. “Knowing the Limits of Science” Convivium www.convivium.ca/articles/knowing-the-limits-of-science

Craig, William Lane. “God, Time and Eternity” Reasonable Faith, www.reasonablefaith.org/writings/scholarly-writings/divine-eternity/god-time-and-eternity/

Crossan, John Dominic. “The Birth of Christianity” HarperSanFrancisco 1999

Crouch, Andy. “What is the Cultural Mandate,” The Village Church, 6 Jan 2017 www.tvcresources.net/resource-library/talks/what-is-the-cultural-mandate

Darwin, Charles. “On the Origin of Species” John Murray 1859

Davey, Barney. “Personal Storytelling for Artists & Creatives” Marketing Courses, mymarketingcourses.com/p/personal-storytelling

De Vries, Roland. “Becoming a Guest: Christology and Ecclesiological Identity” Erudit Volume 25, Numero 2, 2017 p. 165-184 https://www.erudit.org/fr/revues/theologi/2017-v25-n2-theologi04371/1056942ar/

de Waal, Esther. “Seeking God, The Way of St Benedict,” The Liturgical Press. 2001

De Young, Kevin. “Passionately Pleading with God is a Good Thing” The Gospel Coalition.org www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevin-deyoung/passionately-pleading-with-god-is-a-good-thing/

Deem, Richard. “The Mercy of God as found in the Old Testament” God and Science www.godandscience.org/apologetics/mercy_of_god.html

Deis. Robert. Thisdayinquotes July 30, 2020 www.thisdayinquotes.com/2020/07/comfort-afflicted-and-afflict.html 

Demar, Gary. “The Impact of Christianity on the World” The American Vision 15 Dec 2009 americanvision.org/1403/impact-of-christianity-on-world

Digital History Reader “Module 4: The End of Optimism? The Great Depression in Europe” European History www.dhr.history.vt.edu/modules/eu/mod04_depression/index.html

Dixon, Austin. “History of Scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees” Theology and Coffee 3 July 2015 theologyandcoffee.weebly.com/blog/history-of-scribes-pharisees-and-sadducees

Donavan, Richard Niell. “Biblical Commentary (Bible Study) Matthew 22:15-22” Sermon Writer  sermonwriter.com/biblical-commentary/new-testament-matthew-2215-22

Driver, Cory. “Commentary on Genesis 1:1-5” Working Preacher 10 Jan 2021 www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/baptism-of-our-lord-2/commentary-on-genesis-11-5-5

Dyer, Geoff. “The day that killed optimism” Prospect 16 June 2016 www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/magazine/the-day-that-killed-optimism#:~:text=The%20morning%20of%201st%20July,historian%20John%20Keegan%20puts%20it

Dyer, John. “Bible Apps are the new Printing Press” Christianity Today www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2022/december/dyer-bible-apps-software-screen-printing-press.html

Early Christian History “Montanus” Early Christian History www.earlychristianhistory.info/montanus.html

Edgar, Brian. “The God Who Plays: A Playful Approach to Theology and Spirituality” Cascade Books 2017 (e-book)

Edmondson, Ron. “10 Reasons David is Called “A Man After God’s Own Heart” Bible Study Tools www.biblestudytools.com/blogs/ron-edmondson/10-reasons-david-is-called-a-man-after-god-s-own-heart.html

Edwards, James R. “Markan Sandwiches: The Significance of Interpolations in Markan Narratives” 1989 Novum Testamentum XXXI, 3 193-216 jbburnett.com/resources/mark/Edwards_Markan-Sandwiches.pdf

Edwards, Jonathan, “Works of Jonathan Edwards, Volume Two,” SERMON II. THE CHURCH’S MARRIAGE TO HER SONS, AND TO HER GOD. Ed. John E. Smith, Yale University Press, 2009

Elshtain, Jean Bethke. “With or Against Culture” Books and Culture www.booksandculture.com/articles/2006/sepoct/20.30.html

Encyclopedia.com “Person (In Theology)” Encylcopedia.com www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/person-theology

Encyclopedia Britannia “Apostolic succession” www.britannica.com/topic/apostolic-succession

Encyclopedia Britannica “codex” (manuscript) Encyclopedia Britannia Britannica.com/topic/codex-manuscript

Encyclopedia Britannica “Christendom” Encyclopedia Britannia Britannica.com/place/Christendom

Encyclopedia Britannica “Universalism” Encyclopedia Britannia Britannica.com/place/Universalism

Enter the Bible. “Isaiah 1:29 – God’s Lament” Enter the Bible enterthebible.org/passage/isaiah-12-9-gods-lament

Epictectus. “The Enchiridion of Epictetus.” p. 135 Texas A&M people.tamu.edu/~sdaniel/Notes/enchiridion.pdf

Faith Facts “The Impact of Christianity” Faith Facts www.faithfacts.org/christ-and-the-culture/the-impact-of-christianity

Faith From Evidence “Christianity and Architecture” Faith from evidence www.faithfromevidence.org/christianity-and-architecture.html

Farley, Margaret A. “Personal Commitments: Beginning, Keeping, Changing” Harper & Row, 1986, pp. 12-13, 34, 38

Fee, Gordon D. and Stuart, Douglas “How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth,” Zondervan, 1981

Ferguson, Sinclair B. Banner of Truth Magazine Issue 219 December 1981

Fine Art America, Landscape photographs fineartamerica.com/art/photographs/landscape

Finn, Nathan A, Whitfield, Keith S. “Spirituality for the Sent,” Chapter 5 Missional Spirituality and Cultural Engagement IVP Academic 2017

Fischer, Bryan. “What did Ham do when he ‘saw the nakedness of his father”’” American Family Radio www.afa.net/the-stand/family/2014/08/what-did-ham-do-when-he-saw-the-nakedness-of-his-father

Fitch, David. “Finding Things to Love About Reformed People: An Anabaptist Dialogues with a Reformed” MissioAlliance 6 Feb /2017 www.missioalliance.org/finding-things-love-reformed-people-anabaptist-dialogues-reformed

Flattery, George. “John 20:19-23 Receive the Holy Spirit” Global Christian globalchristiancenter.com/sermons/dr-g-flattery-sermons-on-gospel-of-john/26192-john-2019-23-receive-the-holy-spirit

Flavel, John

Flynn, John. “Christianity’s Contribution” Catholic Online 28 Nov 2007 www.catholic.org/featured/headline.php?ID=5250

Foley, Ryan. “Postmodernism, secularism have increasing influence over Americans’ decision-making: report” Christian Post, 10/22/2021 www.christianpost.com/news/peoples-choices-influenced-by-postmodernism-secularism-report.html

Forest, Joe. “A Better Way to Read the Old Testament” 29 June 2018 Instrument of Mercy instrumentofmercy.com/2018/06/29/a-better-way-to-read-the-old-testament

Foster, Richard. “Celebration of Discipline.” Harper & Row Publishers ©1978

Foster, Robert. “Understandings of Justice in the New Testament,” Society of Biblical Literature www.sbl-site.org/assets/pdfs/TBv2i5_Fosterjustice.pdf

Frankl, Viktor E. Man’s Search for Meaning. Beacon Press 2006

Franks, Angela. “What’s a Body For?” Plough Quarterly 6 Aug 2018 www.plough.com/en/topics/justice/culture-of-life/whats-a-body-for

Friedman, Richard Elliot. “Commentary on the Torah,” Harper Collins, 2003

Fujimura, Makoto. Culture Care: Reconnecting with beauty for our common life. Intervarsity Press 2014

Galatty, Robby, “Was Jesus a Carpenter or a Stonemason?” The Christian Post 29 Apr 2017 www.christianpost.com/news/jesus-carpenter-or-stonemason-181531

Ganssle, Gregory E. Review of “The End of the Timeless God by RT Mullins,” The Gospel Coalition,  themelios.thegospelcoalition.org/review/the-end-of-the-timeless-god

Garris, Zachary. “Did Abraham Worship Yahweh Before His Call in Genesis 12?” Knowing Scripture knowingscripture.com/articles/did-abraham-worship-yahweh-before-his-call-in-genesis-12

Gayle, Damien. “How idolatry continued in the Kingdom of Judah: Israeli dig uncovers temple and icons dating back to Old Testament era” Dailymail.com 27 Dec 2012 www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2253695/How-idolatry-continued-Kingdom-Judah-Israeli-dig-uncovers-temple-icons-dating-Old-Testament-era.html

Getty Images, Stars in the sky www.gettyimages.com/photos/stars-in-the-sky

Glatt-Gilad, David. “How Many Years Were the Israelites in Egypt?” TheTorah.com www.thetorah.com/article/how-many-years-were-the-israelites-in-egypt

God’s Word to Women. “Ezer Kenegdo” God’s Word to Women godswordtowomen.org/ezerkenegdo.htm

Goodman, Philip. “The Shavuot Marriage Contract” My Jewish Learning, www.myjewishlearning.com/article/the-shavuot-marriage-contract

Got Questions “How could David be considered to be a man after God’s own heart?” Got Questions. www.gotquestions.org/man-after-God-heart.html

Got Questions “How does the Bible describe glorified bodies we will possess in heaven?” Got Questions www.gotquestions.org/glorified-bodies.html

Got Questions. “How many Israelites left Egypt in the exodus?” Got Questions www.gotquestions.org/Israelites-exodus.html

Got Questions. “What is the doctrine of the perspicuity  of Scripture” Got Questions www.gotquestions.org/perspicuity-of-Scripture.html

Got Questions “What is general revelation and special revelation?” Got Questions www.gotquestions.org/general-special-revelation.html

Got Questions “What is inductive Bible Study?” Got Questions gotquestions.org/inducitive-Bible-study.html

Got Questions “Where was Jesus for the three days between His death and resurrection?” Got Questions www.gotquestions.org/where-was-Jesus.html

Got Questions, “How Can I Trust in the Faithfulness of God,” Got Questions www.gotquestions.org/faithfulness-of-God.html

Got Questions. “Regulative vs. normative principle of worship – which viewpoint is correct?” Got Questions www.gotquestions.org/regulative-normative-worship.html

Got Questions. “What is the Feast of Weeks?” Got Questions  www.gotquestions.org/Feast-of-Weeks.html

Gowman, Vince. “Playful quotes for the child in your heart” Vince Gowman www.vincegowmon.com/playful-quotes-for-the-child-in-your-heart/

Graham, Billy. “How do I know God’s will for my life” billygraham.org 27 May 2019 billygraham.org/answer/how-do-i-know-gods-will-for-my-life

Granger Community Church, “Spiritual Gifts Test” Granger Community Church spiritualgiftstest.com/spiritual-gifts-test-landing

Green, Barbara J. “Open your heart and focus on gratitude: Feel connection, share connection” BJgreenphd.com 2 Feb 2016 www.bjgreenphd.com/open-heart-focus-gratitude-feel-connection-share-connection

Gregoire, Carolyn. “How Money Changes the Way You Think and Feel” Greater Good Magazine greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_money_changes_the_way_you_think_and_feel

Greusel, Dave. “Architecture for Human Flourishing” Denver Institute for Faith and Work 15 Apr 2015 denverinstitute.org/david-greusel-architecture-for-human-flourishing-videos

Griffith, Ryan. “Single in a Church of Families” Desiring God 16 July 2021 www.desiringgod.org/articles/single-in-a-church-of-families

Grimsrud, Ted. “Justice in the New Testament” Peace Theology esuitesneakpeek.com/justice-in-new-testament

Groothuis, Douglas. “Postmodernism on Race and Gender: An Evangelical Response” Asbury Seminary, place.asburyseminary.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1317&context=asburyjournal

Group Leaders. Group Leaders.org groupleaders.org/curriculum-feed/life-map

Gum, Emily Rose. “Recovering an Institutional Imagination” Comment Magazine comment.org/recovering-an-institutional-imagination

Guthrie, George H. “How to Do a Synthetic Bible Study” Inglewood Baptist Church storage.cloversites.com/inglewoodbaptistchurch/documents/Synthetic_Study.pdf

Gutierrez, Juan Marcos Bejarano. “Forgotten Origins” Yaron Publishing, 2017

Gutierrez, Juan Marcos Bejarano. “The Judaisms of Jesus’ Followers,” Yaron Publishing, 2017

Guzik, David. “Daniel 11 – Antiochus and Antichrist revisited” Enduring Word enduringword.com/bible-commentary/daniel-11

Hackman, Gordon. “Hauerwas on Marriage, Singleness, and the Church as First Family” North of the Tracks 3 Mar 2007 gordonhackman.blogspot.com/2007/03/hauerwas-on-marriage-singleness-and.html

Hafiz (or Shams-ud-din Muhammad “Tripping over Joy” (translated by Daniel Ladinsky) (c. 1320-1389) wrote about God as his Friend, the Beloved, the Beautiful One.

Hal, Doulos. “The Fire Sacrifices and Offerings of Israel – The Burnt Offering” Impact Bible.org blogs 4 Apr 2020 blogs.bible.org/the-five-fire-sacrifices-and-offerings-of-israel-the-burnt-offering

Hale, Philip. “Numbering the Decalogue, Images, and Iconoclasm: A Historical and Theological Survey” Nebraska Lutherans for Confessional Study, July 25, 2013 abundleofmyrrh.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/theol_resources/images_12_dp.pdf

Hannam, James. “How Christianity led to the rise of modern science” Christian Research Institute www.equip.org/articles/christianity-led-rise-modern-science

Hanson, Victor Davis. “Repeating historical patterns rooted in human nature” Washington Times 31 Aug 2016 www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/aug/31/repeating-historical-patterns-rooted-in-human-natu

Harrison, Peter, “Christianity and the rise of western science” ABC Religion and Ethics, 8 May 2012, www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2012/05/08/3498202.htm

Hart, David Bentley. “The Ethic of Caring for the Sick” Stand to Reason www.str.org/blog/the-ethic-of-caring-for-the-sick#.XiBmNiNOnIU

Hart, Robert Lamb. “How Buildings Shape Us” Common Edge commonedge.org/how-buildings-shape-us

Hayes, Robert. “The Best Free Enneagram Tests You Can Take Online” Tech Junkie www.techjunkie.com/best-free-enneagram-tests

Heath, Elaine. “The Spiritual Discipline of Celebration” Ministry Matters 24 Dec 2019 www.ministrymatters.com/all/entry/9930/the-spiritual-discipline-of-celebration

Hegg, Tim. “As a Covenant Term in the Bible and the Ancient Near East” Torah Resource torahresource.com/hebrew-word-yada

Herrick, Greg. “9. Eschatology: End Times” Bible.org bible.org/seriespage/9-eschatology-end-times

Hill, Kevin M. “S.H.A.P.E. Test.” Free Shape Test www.freeshapetest.com

Hill, Preston. “Have Christians Forgotten How to Fight with God?” Christianity Today 21 Dec 2021 www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2021/december-web-only/problem-of-evil-christianity-faith-wrestling-with-god.html

Hirsch, Emil G. Blau L, Kohler, Kaufmann. Schmidt, Nathaniel “Bible Canon:” My Jewish Encyclopedia, www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/3259-bible-canon

History.com “The Reformation” History.com,  www.history.com/topics/religion/reformation

Hodge, Charles, “Systematic Theology” Eerdmans Publishing Company, (Chapter I: On Method) 1940

Hollinger, David. “Science Jews, and Secular Culture” Princeton University Press,1996

Holloway, Steven W. “What Ship Goes There: The Flood Narratives in the Gilgamesh Epic and Genesis Considered in Light of Ancient Near East Temple Ideology” James Madison University 1991

Hovorun, Cyril. Studia Patristica Vol. LVIII, Volume 6: Neoplatonism and Patristics, Peeters 2013.  Importance of Neoplatonism on Formation of Theological Language” (p. 17-28)

Huber, Dave. “Avodah Word Study” EFCA Today Summer 2012 www.efcatoday.org/story/avodah-word-study

Hunter, James. “To Change the World: The Irony, Tragedy, and Possibility of Christianity in the Late Modern World” Oxford University Press 2010

Husock, Howard. “How Public Housing Harms Cities” City Journal Winter 2003 www.city-journal.org/html/how-public-housing-harms-cities-12410.html

Hybels, Bill. “Simplify: Ten Practices to Unclutter Your Soul” Tyndale Momentum 2015

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Appendices

Dancing in the Kingdom- Table of Contents

Appendix K – The family tree

There are many, complex events in church history which have caused one part to branch off from another which have resulted in more than 30,000 denominations worldwide. Part of the issue is lack of agreement on which differences in theology amount to heresies. The following is only a brief history of some of the major branches of the church.

In the beginning there was One Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church. Jesus describes the group who follows him as His Body. After the resurrection of Jesus, the apostles guided the church. The apostles had established churches in which leaders (sometimes called elders or bishops) were selected. Prominent leaders emerged out of this who we call the early church Fathers. The church spread through the Roman Empire and beyond.

Within the Roman Empire, Christian centers were established in some of the major cities despite times of persecution: initially in Antioch of Syria where the apostles gathered after the persecution in Jerusalem (Aramaic was the primary language), Alexandria which was evangelized by the apostle Mark (Greek was the primary language) and Rome which was evangelized by the apostles Paul and Peter (Latin was the primary language).  Carthage became a primary center in the 2nd century.

By the 4th century, the church had also expanded outside the Roman Empire into places like Armenia, Ethiopia and Persia. Also in the 4th century, after a severe empire-wide persecution by the Roman Emperor Decian, the Roman Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity, which started a new era for the church in which it was exposed to the corruptions of secular power. Emperor Constantine also created change when he moved the capital city from Rome to Constantinople.

The Church of the East began with the missionary efforts Apostle Thomas in Persia and India, By the 6th century it had spread through Syria, Arabia, Persia, Armenia, India, the East India Islands and China. 

The Oriental Orthodox Church consists of those churches that began outside the Roman Empire in places like Armenia (the Armenian Orthodox Church), Egypt (Egyptian Coptic Church), and Ethiopia (Ethiopian Coptic Church).

Initially within the Roman Empire, the heads of the church in the major metropolitan areas considered themselves equals. But eventually, the bishop of Rome tried to assert himself as the “first among equals.” This effort over time, along with some theological differences eventually led to the final separation. In AD 1024, the Roman Catholic Church separated from the rest of the church, which became the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Around the year 500, the western part of the Roman Empire (which held the Roman Catholic Church) imploded and was conquered by nations in northern Europe. The conquerors were Christians but with some different beliefs that the church in Rome. They continued to use the administrative apparatus of the church which recorded births and deaths and so on. Monasteries also continued to operate and were crucial in the preservation of literature. During this time, the eastern empire still remained active, until the Muslim conquered much of northern Africa, western Europe (including what is now Spain and France), the Middle East and much of Eastern Europe (this included Armenia and the area we now call Turkey, with its capital Constantinople).

In the 1500s, in Germany, Martin Luther responded to corruptions in the Roman Catholic Church and tried to reform it. The church did not respond well, and a schism happened resulting in the Protestant Reformation. The Lutheran Church began in Germany following the teachings of Martin Luther. Later on, the Pietist movement would spawn the Evangelical Covenant Church, General Baptist Church, Church of the Brethren, Evangelical Free Church and Moravian Church

The Reformed Church begam in Switzerland following the teachings of Huldrych Zwingli, from which the Presbyterian Church and Christian Reformed Church would form. Later on, the movement would spawn the Congregational Church, Particular Baptist Church and Quakers

The Anabaptist Church began from those who thought that the Reformed Church had gone far enough in its break from the Roman Catholic Church. Four movements in this movement would later split off from the Anabaptist Church: the Mennonites, the German Baptists, the Amish and the Hutterites.

Also in the time period, the Church of England (or Anglican Church) was formed by Henry VIII of England because the Pope would not grant him a divorce. Henry VIII made himself the head of the church. Later on, this church would spawn the Episcopal Church, Methodist Church (which would spawn the Holiness Church, Church of the Nazarene and Salvation Army) and the Pentecostal Church (which would spawn the Church of God, Apostolic Church, Full Gospel Church, Assemblies of God Church, the Foursquare Gospel Church.

Major Movements

Very brief (very simplified) descriptions of ideas and movements in church History. Within each movement/idea there are a range of beliefs.

  • Anabaptist – aka Rebaptisers. Held that baptism was only valid for those who could voluntarily profess faith in Christ. Opposed Infant baptism and church affiliations with the state.
  • Anglican – England’s Protestant movement. King Henry VIII wanted to divorce and remarry someone who could bear him a son. The Pope refused to allow it and so King Henry made himself the head of the Anglican Church, which did keep many of the Catholic traditions.
  • Autocephalous – church is headed by a bishop who is not responsible to a higher authority
  • Baptist –
    • General Baptists – Baptists with a Arminian or Provisionist soteriology
    • Particular Baptists – Baptists with a Reformed theology
  • Church of the East – aka Nestorian Church, formed in 410AD
  • Congregational Church – congregation is final authority of each church
  • Dyophysite – maintains the Chalcedonian doctrine that full deity and full humanity exist in the person of Jesus Christ as two natures without confusion or change
  • Eastern Orthodox – a family of 13 self-governing bodies headed by a “patriarch.” They hold to the equal authority of church tradition and Scripture, Baptism of infants.
  • Emergent church – Emerging churches are communities that practice the way of Jesus within postmodern cultures. This definition encompasses nine practices. Emerging churches (1) identify with the life of Jesus, (2) transform the secular realm, and (3) live highly communal lives. Because of these three activities, they (4) welcome the stranger, (5) serve with generosity, (6) participate as producers, (7) create as created beings, (8) lead as a body, and (9) take part in spiritual activities.[1]
  • Episcopal – Originally part of the Anglican Church, it was organized after the American Revolution because Anglican clergy were required to swear allegiance to the British monarchy.
  • Evangelicalism – In general, evangelicalism represents a loosely confederated movement of Protestants from the eighteenth century to the present believing in the need for a conversion experience, a personal relationship with Jesus, and relying on the Bible as the standard for faith and practice. Nevertheless, there is great diversity of belief among Evangelicals, and the movement experiences great tension between Calvinist and Arminian (predestination vs. free will), amillennialism and premillennialism, pentecostalism and cessationism, and fundamentalism and post-fundamentalism groups.[2]
  • Filioque – Refers to the phrase “and the son” which was added to the Nicene Creed to indicate that the Holy Spirit proceeded from both the Father “and the Son.” The original phrase indicated that the Spirit originated just from the Father.
  • Fundamentalism – A reaction to the social gospel movement. Fundamentalism is built on five tenets of the Christian faith, 1) The Bible is literally true. 2) The virgin birth and deity of Christ. 3) The substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ on the cross. 4) The bodily resurrection of Jesus. 5) The authenticity of Jesus’ miracles as recorded in Scripture and the literal, pre-millennial second coming of Christ to earth.
  • Gnosticism – a synthesis of Christian beliefs with Platonism which holds to a dualistic view of spirit and matter and the need to know special knowledge
  • Holiness churches – a derivative of Methodism, with an emphasis on ethics and spiritual life
  • Lutheran – The Reformed church that followed the teachings of Martin Luther
  • Methodist – derived from the teachings of John and Charles Wesley who formed a group devoted to Bible study, prayer, and helping the underprivileged. The name “Methodists” referred to the orderly way they used rules and methods to go about their religious affairs.
  • Miaphysite – the one person of Jesus Christ, Divinity and Humanity are united in one “nature” (“physis”), the two being united without separation, without confusion, and without alteration.
  • Monasticism – a reaction to the “worldly ways” of the church. A rejection of worldly pursuits to devote oneself fully to spiritual work.
  • Montanists – named after Montanus who claimed the gift of prophecy, and promoted speaking in tongues and female leadership
  • Moravian – Began in Moravia in the 9th century and was formally organized in 1400s. “Moravians recognize the example of Christ’s life and proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord. Living the Christian life depends not only on our own effort, but upon God our Father, who in Jesus Christ accepts us as heirs of God and strengthens and sustains us.”[3]
  • Novationism – Refused to readmit baptized Christians who had denied their faith or performed the formalities of a ritual sacrifice to the pagan gods under the persecutions sanctioned by Emperor Decius in AD 250.
  • Nestorianism – Christ exists as 2 persons in one body. His human and divine natures are separate
  • Non-creedal – states that the Bible as a whole specifies the creed of the church and does not define itself                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        rely on creedal
  • Pentecostalism – emphasizes baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues
  • Permissive vs. restrictive interpretation – When the Bible is silent about a matter: permissive silence means that if the Bible doesn’t expressly forbid it, it should be allowed), restrictive silence means that the Bible doesn’t expressly allow it, therefore it should be forbidden
  • Pietists – emphasizes personal faith and living a Christian life
  • Platonism – reality is based on the existence of abstract objects which do not exist in space or time. Physical objects are just individual instances of those abstract objects.
  • Presbyterian – Reformed church which is governed by teaching elders (usually pastors) and ruling elders (layman within the church)
  • Protestants – refers to those churches that broke from the Roman Catholic Church (Reformed, Anabaptists, Anglican) and their derivatives
  • Quaker – aka Religious Society of Friends, emphasis on piety more than on doctrine. Believe that every person has a supernatural gift from God
  • Reformed – Protestant movement that originated in Switzerland. Holds to the Westminster Confession of Faith
  • Restorationism – seeks to correct faults in current church by referring to the primitive (early) church and to avoid denominationalism
  • Roman Catholics – formed by the breakaway of the church in Rome from the other patriarchies (Constantinople, Antioch, Alexandria, Jerusalem)
  • Soteriology – the study of salvation
    • Arminianism – all people are born morally unable to respond to God’s offer of salvation but a special (prevenient) grace is given to all people so that they can respond to God’s offer of salvation, people have the free will to accept or reject it, people believe in order to have life
    • Calvinism – all people are born morally unable to respond to God’s offer of salvation, grace is only offered to those whom God chose beforehand to be saved, original sin made people incapable of choosing God and so only those God chose would be irresistibly drawn to God, you must be made morally alive before you can believe
    • Provisionism – all people are born separated from God because of our sin but we can respond to God’s offer of salvation, people believe in order to have life
  • Unitarian – emphasizes the unity of God. Jesus is not God

[1] McKnight, Scott. “Five Streams of the Emerging Church” Christianity Today 19 Jan 2007 www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/february/11.35.html

[2] A Study of Denominations “Evangelicalism” A Study of Denominations www.astudyofdenominations.com/movements/evangelicalism

[3] Moravian.org “What we Believe” Moravian.org www.moravian.org/what-we-believe

Appendices

Dancing in the Kingdom- Table of Contents

Appendix J – Timeline of the church

Time of preparation

DateEvent
428- 348BCPlato –Understood the self as body and soul. In his theory of Forms, the physical realm is just a shadow of the perfect forms in the spiritual realm. These beliefs, called Platonism spawned two derivatives. 1) Gnosticism combined Platonism with Christian, Buddhist, and other eastern religions. It understands the world to be a series of emanations from the highest “One.” The lowest emanation was an evil god (the Demiurge) who created the material world as a prison for the divine sparks that dwell in human bodies. Salvation is being freed from physical bodies. 2) Platonism was modified by Aristotelian thought in the third century AD. It understood that the world is an emanation from an ultimate indivisible being with whom the soul is capable of being reunited in trance or ecstasy.
384-322BCAristotle, a student of Plato, studied the organization of nature. His understanding of the universe would be picked up later by Thomas Aquinas.
300-200BCHebrew writings some of which we call the Old Testament were translated into a Greek set of documents we call the Septuagint. The actual acceptance of which writings would be considered part of the canon differ among different Christian sects.
6BC – AD33Jesus instructed to follow the Great Commandment (Mat 22:37-40) and the Great Commission, (Mat 28:16-20). He did not instruct us how to organize after His departure. He did not explain everything about Himself or set up schools to teach about Himself.

Apostolic Age and the early church

DateEvent
AD50Jerusalem Council – church declared that Gentiles did not need to become Jews to follow Jesus
AD52Apostle Thomas goes to India
AD64Nero blames fire in Rome on Christians and becomes the first emperor to start persecuting them. Peter and Paul executed. Arrival of first Christians in China
AD70Temple in Jerusalem destroyed in response to rebellion by the Jews. Both Jews and the Christians were scattered
AD90-150Gnosticism emerges. One of the errors it leads to is the belief that Jesus only seemed to possess a physical body.
AD100First Christians in Monaco, Algeria, and Sri Lanka
AD100sApologists begin to answer the charges against the Christians, and some would be killed (e.g., Justin the Martyr, Polycarp) Marcion, one of the first teachers of heresies, begins preaching Gnostic ideas, leading the church to create statements of creed which define official teaching. He created his own version of the Bible using mainly Paul’s letters for scripture. This action led the church to later create an official canon.
AD125Apostle John dies. His death marks the end of the apostolic era of the church.
AD132-135Second Jewish rebellion – Jerusalem destroyed again. Simon Bar Kokhba claimed to be the Messiah.
AD150-215Clement of Alexandria considered to be the first theologian. First records of Christians in Edessa
AD156-220Montanists (also known as New Prophets) emerged. They were known for their strict practices and prophesying. More than twenty bishoprics in Mesopotamia and Persia.
AD170Theophilus uses word “Trinity” for the first time. Tertullian was the first to state the theology of Trinity in AD215
AD180Pantaenus preaches in India. There are disputed reports of apostles Bartholomew and Thomas being in India.
AD196Pope Victor excommunicates Eastern Christians for Celebrating Easter during Passover
AD200Apostles Creed created
AD216-276Manes of Persia creates a Gnostic movement (Manichaeism): conflict between light and dark, Satan prevents particles of light within our bodies
AD220Hippolytus writes “Apostolic Tradition” defining hierarchy in the church, rites of baptism and eucharist, etc.
AD250First known prayer to the Theotokos (Mother of God) is recorded
AD251St. Anthony begins monastic movement living in solitary in the desert in Egypt After persecution by Decian and some believers spoke against Christ under threat of torture. Followers of Novation did not allow the lapsed to re-enter the church, but Pope Cornelius welcomed them back
AD285Roman empire split it two. Although done for administrative purposes, over time, differences between the primary languages used (Greek language in the east and Latin language in the west) would contribute to differences in theology later.
AD300Bible translated into Coptic (language of peasants in Egypt).
AD301Armenian king Tiridates I converts to Christianity
AD303Emperor Diocletian begins most severe persecution of the church.
AD310Church of the East (Assyrian Church) is formed

Post-Nicene Era

AD311Roman Emperor, Constantine became Christian: edict of toleration
AD313Edict of Milan legalizes Christianity
AD314King Tiridates III in Armenia adopts Christianity (Armenian Orthodox) as national religion
AD320St Pachomius begins cenobitic monastery (regulated community life) in Egypt
AD321Constantinople declares Sunday a holiday
AD325Ecumenical Council of Nicaea which clarified Christ’s divinity and expanded second stanza in Nicaean creed. The Roman emperor accepted the church, but it was at cost of being joined with secular power – led to corruption, using physical force instead of spiritual force, becoming dependent on power structure. Constantine moved capital to Constantinople (1261–1453)
AD326Athanasius elected bishop of Alexandrea
AD327King Ezana of Axum (Ethiopia) becomes Christian and makes Christianity official religion of kingdom eventually creating home for Ethiopian Orthodox Church
AD340Beginning of Persian monasticism
AD347Jerome wrote the Bible in Latin, known as the Vulgate
AD350Creed of Jerusalem – baptismal formula used by early Christians to confess their faith
AD354-430St Augustine developed doctrine on total depravity, irresistible grace, man does not have a free will. Wrote City of God
AD368Basil writes monastic rule for Eastern church
AD361Martin of Tours founds first monastery in West
AD362At the Synod of Alexandria, Eastern and Roman Christians both accept Creed of Nicaea
AD367Athanasius produces letter with a list that defines all the writings that currently appear in New Testament
AD380Christianity established as official religion of Roman empire
AD381Ecumenical Council of Constantinople – expands third stanza of creed defining Holy Spirit, condemns the belief that Jesus lacked a human soul
AD390Emperor Theodosius submits to bishop Ambrose.
AD391Emperor Theodosius declares Christianity to be the official religion of the empire
AD395Roman Empire divided into East and West
AD410Rome falls to the Goths. First General Synod of the Persian Church
AD420Bishopric established in Merv (major city in what is present day Iran)
AD424Third General Synod of Persian Church, Confirms Catholicos of the Church of the East as “Patriarch of the East” and asserts him as equal to all other patriarchs
AD425University of Constantinople founded as first university in the world
AD428Nestorius ordained as Patriarch of Constantinople
AD431Ecumenical Council of Ephesus – defines Christ as the Incarnate Word of God, proclaims Mary as Theotokos, deposed Nestorius (believed that Jesus was two persons, one human, one divine
AD432432 Saint Patrick becomes bishop of Ireland
AD451Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon – defined Christ as having both a human and divine nature in one person
AD484-519Schism between East and West caused by East’s drift toward the belief in Nestorianism (that Jesus’ divinity and humanity are united in one nature). The Persian Church adopts belief that Christ exists as two persons sharing one body.

Middle Ages

Jerusalem declined in importance while Constantinople rose

AD500Fall of Rome further separated Rome, Constantinople
AD500Athanasian Creed
 This time had been referred to as the “Dark Ages,” but it was the time that the church was actively preserving cultures and developing (e.g., St. Patrick)
AD523Ethiopians invade Arabia in response to pleas for help from Christians in Hajran
AD535Nestorian missionaries teach Hephthalite Huns (in Central Asia) how to read and write
AD537Construction of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople is completed
AD526Benedictine rule written
AD529Emperor Justinian, I closed pagan schools, campaigned against Montanists, building program included Hagia Sophia
AD542-578Jacob Bardaeus wanders throughout Syria consecrating Monophysite priests and bishops. Sixth General Synod of Persian Church adopts Chalcedonian Creed, Julian of Constantinople begins evangelizing in Nubia
AD5532nd Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon – confirmed Christological and trinitarian doctrine against Nestorius
AD568Exarchate of Ravena established (Greek outpost, place of contact with the west)
AD579Nestorian Mar Sergius settles in China
AD596Gregory the Great sends Augustine to England. Within a year 10,000 are baptized
AD618Nestorian Christians received by the T’ang dynasty. Christianity thrived there until AD907
AD634Emperor Heraclius orders Jews to be baptized, many flee to Persia or Arabia
AD635Missionary named Alopen (version of Abraham?) arrives in China from Church of the East
AD638Jerusalem falls to Islam
AD641Croatian duke Porga asks Emperor Heraclius for Christian teachers
AD6803rd Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon – affirms Jesus had a truly human will and divine will against the Monothelites
AD692Pentarchy – five sees as Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem;
AD725Volcanic eruption in Santorini, Greece triggers iconoclasm movement under Emperor Leo
AD7872nd Ecumenical Council of Nicaea – vindicates veneration of images based on the humanity of Christ as the image or icon of the unseen God
AD800Charlemagne 1st king of Holy Roman Empire which lasted until 1806. Charlemagne’s schools taught seven liberal arts: arithmetic, astronomy, geometry, grammar, logic, music, rhetoric
AD863Mission of Cyril and Methodius to Greater Moravia entrenched Christianity among the Slavic people
AD867Photius writes encyclical opposing filioque and other aspects of Roman Catholic theology
AD909St Berno founds Cluny
AD988Czar Vladimir of Kyiv went shopping for religions. He liked to eat so he rejected Islam and Judaism but accepted Eastern Orthodox
AD1000Leaf the Lucky evangelizes Greenland
AD1054The Schism – Catholic Church splits into Roman and Orthodox Churches
AD1084St Berno founds Carthusians
AD1095Pope Urban II issued the Papal Bull Terra Nullius gave European kings the right to claim land in any non-Christian areas they found.
AD1096-1254Crusades –seven attempts to reclaim Palestine from Muslims. AD1204 Roman Crusaders sack Constantinople, AD1212 Children’s Crusade
AD1099Knighthood – vowed chastity, poverty, obedience, care of sick and exhausted pilgrims, protection of holy places
AD1173Waldensians opposed purgatory, indulgences, prayers for dead, war, capital punishment, oaths
AD1079Anselm creates an argument for God’s existence
AD1200Scholastics – theology, philosophy, medicine, and law were all taught. “Understand to that you may believe, believe that you may understand.” (Augustine). Bible is now available in twenty-two languages.
AD1215Fourth Lateran Council declares transubstantiation, laid groundwork for Inquisition
AD1266Kublai Khan asked for one hundred monks to teach the Mongols, but the monks were delayed. By the time they got there, the Mongols had already converted to Islam
AD1266Second Council of Lyons fails to unit Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy
AD1266Aquinas begins writing Summa Theologica. In 1273, a vision causes him to stop writing the Summa
AD1269Kublai Khan requests pope to send teachers of science and religion. The pope failed to do so in a timely basis. By the time the church responds Khan has already converted to Islam
AD1289Kublai Khan creates a department to deal with Christians in his empire, Appoints Nestorian Ai-hsueh as its first president. Franciscan friars begin work in China
AD1318Last recorded synod of the Nestorian Church in Persia, elects Timothy II
AD1309-1377Babylon captivity. Pope resides in Avignon, France instead of Italy
AD1340Nestorian college for “Tatars” still operating in Merv
AD1342Last resident Catholic bishop of Beijing arrives in China
AD1337Hundred Years War between England and France begins
AD1378-1415Great Western Schism – Two or more popes existed simultaneously
AD1340-1400Bubonic plague killed one-third of European population
AD1374Dutch Christians begin Common Life Movement – denounced corruption in church, practiced scholarship and mystical devotion to Christ (called Devotio Moderna). Thomas A Kempis wrote “The Imitation of Christ”
AD1384John Wyclif completes Bible translated to English so that everyone can read it, other reforms. Claimed church was not based on pope, priests or sacraments but consisted of all who are called to faith in Jesus Christ. Began first Bible translation into English.
AD1415Jan Huss of Bohemia martyred. He was a promoter of Wyclif’s ideas
AD1439Johannes Gutenberg invents printing press
AD1452Pope Nicholas V in the Papal Bull ‘Romanus Pontifex’ declared war, authorizing the conquest of all non-Christian nations.
AD1462Johannes Gutenberg begins printing Bible
AD1479Spanish Inquisition tortured, killed, and exiled thousands of Jews, Muslims, and heretics
AD1453Ottomans capture Constantinople. Hundreds of Eastern scholars fled carrying ancient Greek manuscripts, sparking the Renaissance in the West. Renaissance humanism replaced Scholasticism’s emphasis on logic with human oriented actions.
AD1491First missionaries (Franciscan and Dominican) arrive in Congo
AD1493Pope Alexander VI issued a bull “Inter Caetera” justifying Europeans to conquer non-Christian lands. That would be followed by the Treaty of Tordesillas in which Spain was granted rights to most of the New World and Portugal to Africa and Asia. Later on, this would lead to the “Doctrine of Discovery” in 1823 that Americans would use to capture land from the native Americans.
AD1494First missionaries arrive in Dominican Republic
AD1498First Christians reported in Kenya

Reformation

AD1500sNationalism movements began to split the Empire
AD1500Franciscan missionaries enter Brazil
AD1516Erasmus Desiderius published Greek New Testament (known as “Textus Receptus”
AD1521Martin Luther began formal Protestant Reformation. Only Scripture, grace, faith, Christ to the glory of God alone. Kept much of Catholic practices, had a permissive view of Scripture. Replaced transubstantiation (the essence of communion elements is changed into Christ’s blood of Jesus) with consubstantiation (Christ is present in, with and under the communion elements)
AD1521After reading “Imitation of Christ,” Ignatius Loyola’s life was transformed and in 1540 was allowed to begin a Catholic order pledged to poverty, chastity, and obedience to the Pope, Forms “The Society of Jesus” (Jesuits)
AD1525Anabaptists flee Zurich
AD1533Because he could not get a marriage annulled, Henry VIII becomes head of Church of England
AD1534John Calvin wrote Institutes of Christian Religion, which became a core reference for the Reformed movement.
AD1534Tyndale translates Bible into English
AD1525Ulrich Zwingli began “Reformed” churches. Abolished Mass. Communion elements were symbolic of Jesus’ body and blood. Had a restrictive view of Scripture.
AD1540Anabaptist or Rebaptisers. Infant baptism is not the believer’s baptism
AD1545James Hutter – Refugee from Anabaptist church begins church in Moravia stressed purity of morals, apostolic discipline
AD1545-1563In response to Reformation, Council of Trent was called to institute reforms within the Catholic Church: indulgences ended, priestly celibacy was enforced again, scripture and tradition were given equal authority, faith and works were viewed as necessary to salvation. Mandated that Mass be said in Latin. War between Protestant princes against Emperor Charles V caused a 10 -ear interruption and the end of possible reconciliation between Catholics and Protestant
AD1560John Knox brought Calvinism to Scotland. Founded Presbyterian (elder) church
AD1564Reformers in the Church of England wanted purify worship and doctrine. They would be called Puritans
AD1584King Henry VIII wanted a divorce. Started Anglican Church. Made himself head of church
AD1589James Arminius rejected predestination. Instead, he said that all people have free will to accept or reject Christ
AD1596Several million Ukrainian Orthodox Christians enter into union with Roman Catholics. These Christians were called Uniats.
AD1604Some Puritans (Separatists) wanted to separate from the Church of England, and they ended up fleeing to Holland. From there some would go to the New England (Pilgrims)
AD1609John Smyth – church membership was given by baptism – First (General) Baptist church, Arminian
AD1618Synod of Dordt. Reformed Theology is defined. In response to Armenian’s Five Articles of Remonstrance (which emphasized the free will of humans), the soteriology commonly referred to as Calvinism or predestination is defined by TULIP (Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, Perseverance of the Saints)
AD1620English Separatists leave Europe and land in Massachusetts
AD1618-1648Thirty Years’ War – began with Bohemians rebelling against the “Holy Roman Empire.” The emperor violated the Peace of Augsburg and tried to impose Roman Catholicism on the Protestant countries. By the time it was over, more than eight million people died of war, famine, or disease. It ended with the Peace of Westphalia which also ended the Eighty Years War between the Dutch and the Spanish.
AD1633John Spilsbury forms Particular Baptists church in England 
AD1635Roger Williams, evicted from Massachusetts, founds “Providence” the next year and the first Baptist church in the colonies
AD1638Harry Jacob leads a small independent (Particular) Baptist Church, Calvinist
AD1660Quakers – Every person has an Inner Light to guide him to Truth
AD1675Phillip Spener – Remove emphasis from doctrine and sacrament. A deeper individual spiritual life, pietism. Publishes “Pious Desires”
AD1681William Penn, a Quaker, founds Pennsylvania
AD1700sThe Age of Enlightenment (or Reason) began by this time due to developments in the 1600s
AD1721Czar Peer placed Russian Orthodox Church under the government’s control
AD1722Count Zinzendorf – Order of Grain of Mustard Seed – founded Moravian community, round the clock prayer meetings, missions’ movement
AD1720s-1750sThe Great Awakening began in the Congregational and Reformed Churches in Massachusetts
AD1738John Wesley was a deacon in the Anglican Church After his conversion began an emotionally strong preaching ministry. Began the Methodist Church

Modern

AD1776Episcopal denomination forms, they are a rebranded American branch of Anglican denomination
AD1784Methodist Conference formed within Anglican Church
AD1785Theophilus Lindsey began Unitarian Church. Rejected divinity of Christ
AD1801Cane Ridge Camp Meeting begins Second Great Awakening
AD1816Formation of African Methodist Church (AME)
AD1823Restorationist movement begins
AD1831Holiness movement begins– Following Wesley, Holiness preachers emphasized that the process of salvation involves two crises. In the first, conversion or justification, one is freed from the sins he has committed. In the second, entire sanctification or full salvation, one is liberated from the flaw in his moral nature that causes him to sin.Tongues and prophecy manifested in prayer meeting in Church of Scotland. Began formation of Pentecostal and Holiness churches, emphasis on miraculous gifts (charisma), “Baptism of the Holy Spirit”
AD1854Pope Pius IX declares Immaculate Conception, Doctrine of Infallibility
AD1857After stock market crash, Third Great Awakening led by Phoebe Palmer
AD1864John Darby introduces dispensational theology
AD1872Dwight Moody begins evangelism
AD1885Mission Covenant- Five Fundamentals declared (inerrancy of scripture and Jesus Christ’s divinity, virgin birth, atonement and second coming)
AD1890sIn response to Western missionary control, African leaders form an independent Ethiopian movement
AD1900African Methodist Episcopal and Adventist denominations start
AD1903Baptism of Geronimo
AD1906Pentecostal (Azusa St) revival – speaking in tongues seen as initial evidence of “baptism in the spirit”
AD1910Edinburgh Conference, attended by 1200 delegates, begins modern ecumenical movement
AD1914Assembly of God and Pentecostal denominations start
AD1921Simon Kimbangu forms African Independent Church
AD1922Henry Fosdick preaches “Shall the Fundamentalists win?” reinterpreted the inerrancy of Scripture, virgin conception of Jesus, the second coming of Jesus Watchman Nee begins local churches in China
AD1925Scopes trial, Scopes was found guilty but public opinion war was lost
AD1930sRevival sweeps Uganda and Rwanda
AD1935Dietrich Bonhoeffer was one of signers of the Barmen Confession, resisting Hitler’s policy in Germany
AD1941National Association of Evangelicals formed
AD1948World Council of Churches is organized
AD1947Dead Sea Scrolls discovered
AD1949Billy Graham begins evangelism crusades, in 1953 he convinces Carl FH Henry to become editor for Christianity Today
AD1950Mother Teresa founds Missionaries of Charity in India
AD1954Methodists ordain women
AD1962-AD1968Vatican II, allowed liturgical changes such as giving Mass in native languages (instead of Latin), encouraged Catholics to study Bible, adopted a spirit of respect to other religions, apologized to Orthodox Church for schism
AD1963Martin Luther King leads March on Washington D.C.
AD1971Jesus movement
AD1974Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization
AD1980Third Wave charismatic movement defined. First wave began with Azusa Street Revival and rise of Pentecostal movement. Second save occurred in 1960s as charismatic movement spread through mainline protestant and Roman Catholic denominations. Third wave is part of neo-charismatic movement which includes the Vineyard Movement
AD2000sPost-modern thinking emphasizes shared experiences, images, personal connections over reason and words. Emergent Church movement – crosses a number of theological boundaries. Prefers smaller informal house church gatherings as opposed to “institutionalized church,” emphasizes social justice, de-emphasizes sin and repentance. Christianity grew from 9% of African continent in 1900 to 45% in 2000
AD2008Evangelical Manifesto, defines what is an evangelical in an attempt to refocus the evangelical congregations on their basics and depoliticize the movement

Appendices

Dancing in the Kingdom- Table of Contents

Appendix I – Creeds of the church

What is a “Creed”?

“Creed” comes from the Latin word, credo, which means, “I believe,” and is the first word of the Apostles’ and Nicene creeds. A creed is defined as:

    1: a brief authoritative formula of religious belief

    2: a set of fundamental beliefs

    3: a guiding principle

The Creeds and Confessions produced by the church over the centuries are not meant to be replacements for the words of Christ and his apostles or the prophets which preceded them. Creeds and Confessions are statements of faith usually produced in response to various issues, heresies and historical situations that have troubled the church and the world over the centuries. Creeds and confessions are not designed to be a thorough representation of a church’s theology, and for that reason some churches, although in agreement with the major creeds, describe themselves as a “non-creedal” church, sometimes saying, “The Bible is our creed.”

EXamples of Creeds from the Bible

Deut. 6:4 Hear O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one.

Micah 6:8 He has showed you, O man, what is good.  And what does the LORD require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Matt. 16:16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Matthew 22:36-40 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Matt. 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 8:36-37 And as they went along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water!  What is to prevent my being baptized?”  And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.”  And he replied, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Acts 16:31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

1 Cor. 15:3-7 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.  Then he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.  Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.

1 John 4:2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit which confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God.

APOSTLES CREED

I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost. I believe in the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; The forgiveness of sins; The resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting. AMEN

Ecumenical Creeds

NicenE creed

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made. Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And I believe one holy catholic and apostolic church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen

Nicean-Constantinople Creed

We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten, Begotten of the Father before all ages, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, Begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father; by whom all things were made: Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and was made man. And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; And the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; And ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; And He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, Whose kingdom shall have no end

And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, and Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spoke by the Prophets; And we believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church. We acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. We look for the Resurrection of the dead, And the Life of the age to come. Amen.

Chalcedon Creed

We, then, following the holy fathers, all with one consent teach men to confess one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the same perfect in Godhead and also perfect in manhood; truly God and truly man, of a rational soul and body; coessential with the Father according to the Godhead, and consubstantial with us according to the manhood; in all things like unto us, without sin; begotten before all ages of the Father according to the Godhead, and in these latter days, for us and for our salvation, born of the Virgin Mary, the mother of God, according to the manhood; one and the same Christ, Son, Lord, Only-begotten, to be acknowledged in two natures, without confusion, without change, without division, without separation; the distinction of natures being by no means taken away by the union, but rather the property of each nature being preserved, and concurring in one person and one subsistence, not parted or divided into two persons, but one and the same Son, and only begotten, God the Word, the Lord Jesus Christ; as the prophets from the beginning have declared concerning Him, and the Lord Jesus Christ Himself has taught us, and the creed of the holy fathers has handed down to us.

Confessions/Statements of Faith

Many congregations will specify which ecumenical statements they agree to. But each congregation will additionally have its own statement of faith, sometimes called a confession or affirmation, that describes its beliefs. Typical items in those statements include a particular view of the Bible; God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; Virgin birth; sin and salvation; resurrection; eternity; essential practices of worship; sacraments: and the church. The statements typically include scripture references and are one to three pages long. The Westminster Confession of Faith used by Reformed denominations is 66 pages. Some congregations declare that they are non-creedal, in recognition of the fact that all creedal statements incompletely articulate the gospel. In those cases, the congregation will specify that, although they may agree with the ecumenical creeds, the only “creed” they recognize is the Bible as a whole, or sometimes they will specify the New Testament. Typically, for a person to become a voting member of the church they have to agree with what is written in the statement of faith.

Sample statement of faith

 (From Saddleback Church: What We Believe)

About God: God is the creator and ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14

About Man: Man is made in the spiritual image of God, to be like him in character. He is the supreme object of God’s creation. Although man has tremendous potential for good, he is marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” This attitude separates man from God. Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2

About Eternity: Man was created to exist forever. He will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with him is eternal life. Heaven and hell are places of eternal existence. John 3:16; 1 John 2:25; 1 John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 25:31-46

About Jesus Christ: Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all men by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven’s glory and will return again to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14, 15; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; Romans 1:3, 4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14, 15; Titus 2:13

About Salvation: Salvation is a gift from God to man. Man can never make up for his sin by self-improvement or good works – only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can man be saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8, 9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1

About Eternal Security: Because God gives man eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10, 14; 1 Peter 1:3-5

About The Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The Christian seeks to live under his control daily. 2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16, 17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:1

About The Bible: The Bible is God’s word to all men. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living.Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error. 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5

About Baptism: Baptism by immersion symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and is your public declaration that you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. Baptism does not save you, but shows the world that you have already been saved. And while baptism is not required for salvation, it is a biblical command and demonstrates your love and obedience to Christ. Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:41; Ephesians 2: 8-9; Matthew 28:19-20

About Communion: Communion, or the Lord’s Supper, is an ordinance given to all believers by Jesus Christ to remember his sacrifice for us and to symbolize the new covenant. The elements of bread and wine or juice are symbols of Christ’s broken body and shed blood. Communion is not a means of salvation. Rather, it is a testament of a believer’s faith in the atoning work of the cross. Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:19,20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29

Appendices

Dancing in the Kingdom- Table of Contents

Appendix H – Seven Ecumenical Councils, Overview

Only the first seven councils are summarized here as these have the most relevance to Protestant Christianity. Other subsequent councils are of particular interest only to Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy.

YearCouncilMain outcomes
324First Council of Nicaeaadopted the Nicene Creed which affirmed that Jesus is truly God and equal to the Father – repudiating the belief that the Son did not always exists and was subordinate to the Father.[1]
381First Council of Constantinopleaffirmed that Jesus was perfectly man against the Apollinarians; revised the Nicene Creed into its present form which is used in the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches; prohibited any further alteration of the Creed without the assent of an Ecumenical Council.
431Council of Ephesusaffirmed that Jesus is one person; that the Virgin Mary was the “Mother of God;” and that all people are corrupted by original sin and need God’s grace to be save
451Council of Chalcedonaffirmed that in Jesus there are two distinct natures in one person that are hypostatically united “without confusion, change, division or separation”; adopted the Chalcedonian Creed.
553Second Council of Constantinoplereaffirmed decisions and doctrines explicated by previous Councils
680-681Third Council of Constantinopleasserted that Jesus had both a divine and human will.
787Second Council of Nicaearestored the veneration of icons ( this practice is rejected by some Protestant denominations, who instead prefer the Council of Hieria (754), which had also described itself as the Seventh Ecumenical Council and had condemned the veneration of icons

[1] aka Arianism.

Appendices

Dancing in the Kingdom- Table of Contents

Appendix G – The contributions of the church

Science and Education

  • Whitehead and Oppenheimer insisted that modern science could not have been born except in a Christian milieu.[1] Many pioneering scientists were not only theists, but Christians: Newton, Pasteur, Kepler, Paschal, Fleming, Edwards.
  • One hundred of the first 110 universities in America were founded for the express purpose of propagating the Christian religion.[2]
  • Scientific knowledge was preserved and developed in monasteries and in the universities founded by the church during the Middle Ages.[3]
  • The Christian Missionary Society taught 200,000 to read in East Africa in one generation: Secured the abolition of widow-burning and child sacrifice, founded the educational systems in China, Japan, and Korea.[4]

Health Care

  • In 252 A.D., the Christians of Corinth saved the city from the plague by responding to the needs of those who were simply dragged into the street.[5]
  • Monasteries served as hospitals (treating even diseases like leprosy), places of refuge. Monasteries also developed agricultural skills and knowledge.[6]
  • During the Middle Ages, the Benedictines alone were responsible for more than two thousand hospitals in Western Europe. The first free infirmary was at Monte Cassino. The first public hospital in Western Europe. When the city of Edessa was ravaged by plague, established hospitals open to all who were afflicted.[7]

Social Justice

  • Wilberforce, along with Buxton, Macaulay, and Clark, were all evangelicals who were converted under Wesley’s ministry, and were the top leaders in ending slavery. Anthony Ashley Cooper (Earl of Shaftesbury, self-described “Evangelical of the Evangelicals” pioneered child-labor laws, prohibited women working in the mines, established mental health sanitarium, built parts and libraries),[8]
  • “It was extremely common in the Greco-Roman world to throw out new female infants to die from exposure, because of the low status of women in society. The church forbade its members to do so,”[9]
  • Pagan widows lost all control of their husband’s estate when they remarried, but the church allowed widows to maintain their husband’s estate,[10]
  • In the ancient world, infanticide was not only legal, but it was also applauded. It was the early Christian church that ultimately brought an end to infanticide.[11]
  • A fifth century monk, Telemachus is credited as being the pivotal force ending the gladiator spectacles,[12]
  • The respect for those who are poor and lowly, a concept embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is based on the premise that all human lives have worth and that all lives count equally derives from Matthew 20:16 “So the last will be first, and the first last.”
  • Christians regularly and consistently cared for the poor, both Christian and non-Christian,[13]

Governance and Economics

  • The origin of the separation of church and state and the concept of limited government because the state must respect the conscience of each person comes from Matthew 22:21 – “to render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God”
  • Theologians in the Middle Ages were the first to develop the basic rules of economics, and the monasteries spread throughout Europe were flourishing centers of business activity,[14]

The Arts

  • Shakespeare’s writings were heavily influenced by Biblical themes[15]
  • Beethoven wrote music to inspire faith[16]
  • Leonardo da Vinci created many Biblically themed works of art[17]
  • The emperor, Constantine, built monumental churches in Rome, Byzantine, and Palestine[18]

[1] Varugheses, T.V. “The Scientific Age” The Daily Hatch thedailyhatch.org/2013/10/31/was-modern-science-born-out-of-the-christian-worldview

[2] William, James. “The Social and Historical Impact of Christianity” Probe probe.org/the-social-and-historical-impact-of-christianity.

[3] Flynn, John. “Christianity’s Contribution” Catholic Online 28 Nov 2007 www.catholic.org/featured/headline.php?ID=5250

[4] William, James. “The Social and Historical Impact of Christianity” Probe probe.org/the-social-and-historical-impact-of-christianity.

[5] William, James. “The Social and Historical Impact of Christianity” Probe probe.org/the-social-and-historical-impact-of-christianity.

[6] Newman, Simon. “Monasteries in the Middle Ages” The Finer Times 29 May 2012 www.thefinertimes.com/monasteries-in-the-middle-ages

[7] Hart, David Bentley. “The Ethic of Caring for the Sick” Stand to Reason www.str.org/blog/the-ethic-of-caring-for-the-sick#.XiBmNiNOnIU

[8] Turnbull, Richard. “Shaftsbury: The Great Reformer”  Knowing & Doing Fall 2015 www.cslewisinstitute.org/Fall_2015_Shaftesbury_The_Great_Reformer_page1

[9] Faith Facts “The Impact of Christianity” Faith Facts www.faithfacts.org/christ-and-the-culture/the-impact-of-christianity

[10] Keller, Tim. The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism Penguin Books 2009 Penguin Books 2009 Kelly, Walt, “Pogo” 22 Apr 1970. www.thisdayinquotes.com/2011/04/we-have-met-enemy-and-he-is-us.html

[11] Silver, Sandra Sweeny. “Infanticide in the Ancient World”  Early Church History earlychurchhistory.org/medicine/infanticide-in-the-ancient-world

[12] Preston, S.G. “Telemachus: The Monk Who Ended the Coliseum Games” Prayer Foundation prayerfoundation.org/favoritemonks/favorite_monks_telemachus_coliseum.htm

[13] O’Brien, Brandon J. “The Social, Economic, and Political Commitments of the Early Church” Christianity Today   www.christianitytoday.com/biblestudies/articles/spiritualformation/faithaction.html

[14] Flynn, John. “Christianity’s Contribution” Catholic Online 28 Nov 2007 www.catholic.org/featured/headline.php?ID=5250

[15] Bishop, Tom. “Shakespeare and the Bible” http://www.academia.edu/12388291/Shakespeare_and_the_Bible

[16] Mauro, JP. “The little discussed faith of Beethoven” Aleteia 12/22/19 aleteia.org/2019/12/22/the-little-discussed-faith-of-beethoven

[17] Demar, Gary. “The Impact of Christianity on the World” The American Vision 15 Dec 2009 americanvision.org/1403/impact-of-christianity-on-world

[18] Faith From Evidence “Christianity and Architecture” Faith from evidence www.faithfromevidence.org/christianity-and-architecture.html

Appendices

Dancing in the Kingdom- Table of Contents

Appendix F – Partial Listing of Heresies

AdoptionismJesus was adopted as God’s son when he saw that the human Jesus lived a sinless life
AntinomianismSince we are saved by grace, we don’t need to obey laws
ApollinarianismChrist had a human body and human “living principle” but that the Divine Logos had taken the place of the nous, or “thinking principle”, analogous but not identical to what might be called a mind in the present day.
ArianismJesus was created and is not equal to God
AsceticismDenying physical pleasures
DocetismJesus’s humanity was an illusion.
DonatismChristian clergy must be completely faultless in order for their evangelism to be effective and their prayers and sacraments to be valid
DualismThe evil God created the physical universe and the good God created the spiritual universe.
Eutychianismthe human nature of Christ was essentially obliterated by the Divine, “dissolved like a drop of honey in the sea”.
Gnosticism(personal spiritual knowledge) which took primacy over Gospel teachings, traditions, and ecclesiastical authority
JudaizersGentiles must get circumcised and obey the Old Testament laws
LegalismTo receive salvation something must be done besides receiving God’s grace
MacedonianismDenied that the Holy Spirit was God
MarcionismA form of dualism
ModalismFather, Son, and Holy Spirit are three different modes or aspects of God, rather than three distinct persons within the Trinity.
MonarchianismDenied the deity of the Holy Spirit
Montanismheavy emphasis on the spontaneous move of the Holy Spirit and a more legalistic personal morality. Revelations of Montanist prophets supersede the apostles
NovationismRefused to readmit Christians who had denied their faith while under persecution
PatripassianismGod the Father suffered and died on the cross along with God the Son, or, more properly, the Father suffered as the Son.
PelagianismOriginal Sin did not taint human nature and that the human will is freely capable of choosing good or evil without any divine assistance.
Rationalismall truth, all knowledge of God, is accessible by the human mind. Discards supernaturalism.
SubordinationismGod the Son and God the Holy Spirit are inferior to God the Father
UnitarianismHaving one God, means denying the concept of the Trinity
UniversalismAll people will be saved

Appendices

Dancing in the Kingdom- Table of Contents

Appendix E – Bible Timeline

Bible Timeline (Dates before 1000 BC are uncertain)
DateActivity 
2200 BCAbram and Sarai 
1800 BCJoseph in Egypt, Israelites enslaved in Egypt 
1500-1400 BCMoses, the Exodus 
1400 BCJoshua 
1400-1100 BCJudges (Judges 1) 
1040-1010 BCSaul’s reign 
1010-970 BCDavid 
970-930 BCSolomon 
931-722 BCEarly prophets (Amos) 
732-540 BCProphecies of Zephaniah, Jeremiah, Habakkuk 
536-480 BCProphecy of Zechariah, Haggai 
480-397 BCEsther becomes Queen of Persia, Ezra sent to Judah, Nehemiah, Malachi 
353-200 BCSeptuagint translated in Alexandria 
200-100 BCFirst books OT Apocrypha written 
168-165 BCMaccabean revolt overthrows Seleucids 
27 BCEmperor Augustus begins reign 
6 BCQuirinius order tax census 
6-5 BCJesus is born in Bethlehem. 
4 BC-AD 39Herod Antipas rules Judea 
4 BCDeath of Herod the Great 
AD 6Quirinius (A.D. 6–7), appoints Annas high priest (6–15). 
AD 8Jesus (age 12) interacts with the teachers in the temple 
AD  14Death of Augustus Caesar 
AD  26Jesus Begins his Public Ministry 
AD  26Pontius Pilate procurator over Judea 
AD 28–29John the Baptist begins his ministry around the Jordan River 
AD 28–30Jesus begins his ministry in Judea, but soon focuses his efforts in Galilee. 
AD 33 (or 30)Jesus returns to Judea, is crucified, and resurrected. Jesus’ first followers receive the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and begin to proclaim the gospel. 
AD 33/34Paul witnesses the resurrected Lord on the way to Damascus and is commissioned as an apostle to the nations 
AD  34Stephen is stoned and martyrdom begins 
AD  35Paul Accepts Jesus on the road to Damascus 
AD 34–37Paul ministers in Damascus and Arabia. 
AD 37–45Paul ministers in Syria, Tarsus, and Cilicia 
AD 38Peter witnesses to Cornelius. 
AD 40Cornelius and Gentiles Accept Jesus 
AD 42Antioch Becomes the New Center for the Christians 
AD 40–45James writes his letter to believers outside Palestine. 
AD 41–44Agrippa, Herod the Great’s grandson, rules Palestine; he kills James the brother of John and imprisons Peter 
AD 44–47Paul’s Second Visit to Jerusalem; time of famine. 
AD 46The Book of James is Written 
AD 46–47Paul’s First Missionary Journey (with Barnabas) from Antioch to Cyprus, Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, and Lystra. 
AD 48Paul writes Galatians, perhaps from Antioch. 
AD 48–49Paul and Peter return to Jerusalem for the Apostolic Council, which, with the assistance of James, frees Gentile believers from the requirement of circumcision in opposition to Pharisaic believers; Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch but split over a dispute about John Mark. 
AD 48/49– AD 51Paul’s Second Missionary Journey (with Silas). 
AD 49–51Paul writes 12 Thessalonians from Corinth. 
AD 51Paul appears before Gallio, proconsul of Achaia. 
AD 50–54Peter comes to Rome. 
AD 52–57Paul’s Third Missionary Journey from Antioch to Galatia, Phrygia, Ephesus, Macedonia, Greece. 
AD 52–55Paul ministers in Ephesus. 
AD 53–55Mark writes his Gospel, containing Peter’s memories of Jesus; Paul writes 1 Corinthians from Ephesus. 
AD 55–56Paul writes 2 Corinthians from Macedonia 
AD 57Paul winters in Corinth and writes Romans; travels to Je­­ru­salem, visits with James the brother of Jesus, and is arrested. 
AD 57–59Paul is imprisoned and transferred to Caesarea. 
AD 60Paul begins voyage to Rome; he is shipwrecked for three months on the island of Malta. 
AD 60–70Letter to the Hebrews is written. 
AD 62–63Peter writes his first letter (1 Peter) from Rome. 
AD 62Paul arrives in Rome and remains under house arrest he writes Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. Luke, Paul’s physician and companion, writes Luke and Acts. 
AD 62–64Paul is released, extends his mission (probably reaching Spain), writes 1 Timothy from Macedonia and Titus from Nicopolis; he is rearrested in Rome 
AD 64–67Peter writes his second letter, 2 Peter. Jude writes his letter. Paul writes 2 Timothy . Paul and Peter are martyred in Rome. 
AD 70Titus, after a five-month siege of Jerusalem, destroys the temple after desecrating it 
AD 85–95John writes his letters (1–3 John), probably in Ephesus. 
AD 89–95John writes his Gospel, probably in Ephesus. 
AD 95–96Exiled by Domitian to Patmos, John writes Revelation. 

Appendices

Dancing in the Kingdom- Table of Contents

Appendix D – Prophecies about Jesus

Prophecies in the Old Testament and their fulfillment in the New Testament

Some of the prophecies concerning Jesus and their fulfillment
God’s son, born of a woman, was sent to redeem us.Genesis 3:15 Galatians 4:4
Abraham’s descendent, Jesus, was sent to bless the Jews and anyone else who would believe in Him.Genesis 12:3 Acts 3:25
Jesus genealogy includes King DavidIsaiah 9:7 Matthew 1:6
Jesus would be born in BethlehemMicah 5:2 Matthew 2:1
Jesus would be born in a time of trouble (the land of Israel was ruled by the Roman Empire)Daniel 9:25 Luke 2:1-2
The Messiah would be born of a virgin. Mary conceived through the Holy Spirit.Isaiah 7:14 Matthew 1:18
Rachel weeping for her children in Ramah (where Samuel was born) = King Herod killed all the baby boys in Bethlehem.Jeremiah 31:15 Matthew 2:16-18
Out of Egypt I called my son. Jesus was taken to Egypt to escape Herod.Hosea 11:1 Matthew 2:14
Messiah would come from (honor) Galilee – where Jesus went to after John was beheadedIsaiah 9:1-2 Matthew 4:12-16
A prophet would come from fellow Israelites – the people recognized thisDeuteronomy 18:15 John 6:14
A priest after the order of Melchizedek (my king is righteousness, king of Salem (peace) priest of El Elyon (God most high)Psalm 110:4 Hebrews 6:20
Despised and rejected – his own did receive himIsaiah 53:3 John 1:11
Jesus was hailed as a king – and riding on a donkeyZechariah 9:9 John 12:13-14
Jesus was betrayed by a friend (Judas)Psalm 41:9 Mark 14:10
Jesus betrayed for 30 pieces of silver …Zechariah 11:12 Matthew 26:15
Which was used to buy a potter’s fieldZechariah 11:13 Matthew: 27:6-7
Judas was replaced by MattiasPsalm 109: 7-8 Acts 1:16-26
False witnesses testified against Jesus …Psalm 27:12 Matthew 26:60-61
But he kept silentIsaiah 53:7 Matthew 26:62-63
Jesus would be mocked and beatenIsaiah 50:6 John 19:1-5
Jesus was hated without a causePsalm 69:4 John 15:23-25
Jesus was “numbered with the transgressors” (crucified with thieves)Isaiah 53:12 Matthew 27:38
Jesus was crucifiedPsalm 22:16 John 19:18, 23
Jesus was mocked about trusting in the LordPsalm 22:6-8 Matthew 27:39-44
Jesus was offered vinegarPsalm 69:21 John 19:28-30
Jesus was pierced by a spearZechariah 12:10 John 19:34-37
Jesus clothes were dividedPsalm 22:18 John 19:23-24
Jesus bones were not brokenExodus 12:46 John 19:31-34
Jesus was assigned a grave with the richIsaiah 53:9 Matthew 27:57-60
Jesus body was not left to decayPsalm 16:10 Mark 16:1-6

Appendices

Dancing in the Kingdom- Table of Contents

Appendix C – Books of the Bible[1]

Protestant Old Testament Books (in English Order)

BookAuthor[2]Approx. DateSubject
The Pentateuch
GenesisMoses4004 – 200,000 BC[3]Beginning of the Chosen Family
ExodusMoses1635 BCThe Covenant with the Chosen Nation
LeviticusMoses1490 BCMoral, Civil, and Ceremonial Laws
NumbersMoses1490 BCJourney to the Promised Land
DeuteronomyMoses1451 BCLaws of the Hebrew Nation
The Historical Books
JoshuaJoshua1451 BCThe Conquest of Canaan
JudgesSamuel1425 BCThe 15 Judges
RuthSamuel1322 BCDavid’s Messianic Family Begins
1 SamuelNathan1171 BCThe Hebrew Monarchy
2 SamuelNathan1171 BCThe Reign of King David
1 KingsJeremiah1015 BCThe Divided Kingdom
2 KingsJeremiah1015 BCHistory of the Divided Kingdom
1 ChroniclesEzra1056 BCThe Reign of King David
2 ChroniclesEzra1056 BCHistory of the Southern Kingdom
EzraEzra536 BCThe Return from Captivity
NehemiahNehemiah446 BCThe Rebuilding of Jerusalem
EstherMordecai521 BCThe Jews In Exile
The Poetical Books
JobUnknown1520 BCProvidence and Suffering
PsalmsDavid1056 BCDevotion to God
ProverbsSolomon1000 BCWisdom in Life
EcclesiastesSolomon977 BCHappiness in Life
Song of SongsSolomon1014 BCThe Glories of Marriage and Love
The Greater Prophets
IsaiahIsaiah760 BCThe Messianic Kingdom
JeremiahJeremiah629 BCThe Doom of Judah
LamentationsJeremiah588 BCA Dirge Over the Loss of Jerusalem
EzekielEzekiel595 BCThe Final Restoration of Israel
DanielDaniel607 BCThe Triumph of the Messiah
The Minor Prophets
HoseaHosea785 BCThe Apostasy of Israel
JoelJoel800 BCThe Kingdom of Judah
AmosAmos787 BCThe Kingdom of David
ObadiahObadiah587 BCThe Destruction of Edom
JonahJonah862 BCThe Mercy on Nineveh
MicahMicah750 BCBethlehem’s King
NahumNahum713 BCThe Destruction of Assyria
HabakkukHabakkuk626 BCThe Judgement of the Babylonians
ZephaniahZephaniah630 BCThe Day of the Lord
HaggaiHaggai520 BCRebuilding of the Temple
ZechariahZechariah520 BCChrist’s 1st and 2nd Coming
MalachiMalachi397 BCFinal Message to Rebellious Israel

Deuterocanonical texts

The Deuterocanonical (or Apocryphal) books is the name given to a group of writings found in some versions of the Old Testament but not in others. These texts are usually included in Roman Catholic bibles but not in Protestant ones. They were, however, included in Protestant versions until the second quarter of the nineteenth century. When, in the year 382 A.D., Jerome was commissioned by the pope to make a new translation of the Scriptures, he went to Palestine rather than to Alexandria, Egypt, to obtain original copies. By doing so, he discovered fourteen books included in the Alexandrian, or Greek, version of the Old Testament that were missing in the Palestinian version. The question then arose concerning the status of these newly discovered books. The name Apocrypha, which means “hidden things,” was given to these books because of the belief that the men who wrote them were not addressing their contemporaries but were writing for the benefit of future generations; the meaning of these books would be hidden until their interpretation would be disclosed at some future date by persons qualified to do so.

In 1546, at the Council of Trent, the Roman Catholic Church officially accepted the apocryphal books into their canon. The Catholic Church refers to these books as deuterocanonical, which in their usage means books that were fully accepted into the canon after the other books. As a result, Catholics believe these books have the same status as any other biblical book.

The Eastern Orthodox Church uses the Septuagint as the basis for their Old Testament. Consequently, the Orthodox Church also includes the additional books in their canon. Although they too label these works deuterocanonical, they mean something slightly different by the term. In the Eastern Orthodox view, the deuterocanonical books are important, but have a lesser status than other biblical books. Eastern Orthodoxy calls these books anagignoskomena, meaning “worthy of reading” or “things to read.” The anagignoskomena include the Roman Catholic deuterocanonical books and about five additional texts

Deuterocanonical books in the Catholic Bible
Tobit (721 BC)Discusses Jews who have been faithful to the ritualistic requirements of their religion and have been abundantly rewarded for their good works.
Judith (600 BC)Similar to the Book of Esther, tells of a Jewish woman living in the city of Jerusalem at a time when the city is besieged by the Assyrians and her people are in a desperate situation. She is not only a faithful Jew but a courageous person who invades the camp of the enemy and succeeds in a plot that enables the Jews to achieve a remarkable victory.
Additions to Esther (114 BC)Includes several prayers to God, perhaps because it was felt that the above-mentioned lack of mention of God was inappropriate in a holy book. Jerome recognized them as later additions, placing them at the end of his work.
Wisdom of Solomon (1st cent. BC)Appears to have been written as a reply to the argument given in the Book of Ecclesiastes. In it, the author affirms his belief in Yahweh, whose activities influence the course of Hebrew history. Interestingly, the author believes in a life after death
Sirach (or Ecclesiasticus) (700-275 BC)Sometimes been called “The Wisdom of Jesus ben Sirach.” Ecclesiasticus, which resembles the Book of Proverbs but covers many more topics, concludes with a famous discourse introduced by the words “Let us now praise famous men.” The author includes himself in the list of Israel’s most famous men
Baruch (including Letter of Jeremiah) (6th cent. BC)Central themes are Israel’s disobedience to God, God exiling Jews to Babylon due to their behavior, God’s just action, the need to repent and honor and obey God’s Word and begging for God’s mercy. In the first chapter of Baruch, it is stated that Baruch read this book aloud to Judah’s King Jeconiah
Prayer of Azariah (addition to Daniel 3) (167-164 BC)Additions to the Book of Daniel – a record of the prayer that was offered by a Hebrew who was thrown into a fiery furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar.
Song of the Three Children (1st or 2nd cent. BC)Additions to the Book of Daniel – the song of praise that was sung by Hebrews as an expression of gratitude for the marvelous way in which they were delivered from Nebuchadnezzar’s furnace.
Story of Susanna (400 BC – AD 70)Tells of a woman who has been accused unjustly of the sin of adultery. The wickedness of her accusers and the innocence of the woman are established by the prophet Daniel
Bel and the Dragon (100-100 BC)Relates how Daniel was delivered from the hands of his enemies, who were trying to put him to death.
1 Maccabees (165 BC)Maccabean war from the position of the Sadducees
2 Maccabees (15 BC)Maccabean war from the position of the Pharisees

Eastern Orthodox Bibles additional Deuterocanonical books
3 Maccabees (1st cent. BC)The story of Jewish persecution under Ptolemy IV Philopator (222—205 BC) is told.
4 Maccabees (1st cent. BC)More philosophical than historical. In it, the idea that pious reason trumps passion is illustrated by the martyrdom of Eleazer and the Maccabean youths under Antiochus IV Epiphanes.
1 Esdras (AD 100)First Esdras contains the whole of Ezra with the addition of one section; its verses are numbered differently. Just as Ezra begins with the last two verses of 2 Chronicles, 1 Esdras begins with the last two chapters; this suggests that Chronicles and Esdras may have been read as one book at some time in the past.
2 Esdras (AD 100-200)Seven visions of Ezra dealing with his doubts about the pain and suffering inflicted upon Jews by Gentiles.
Letter of Jeremiah (separate from Baruch) (2nd cent. BC)The Book of Baruch is an addition to the Book of Jeremiah. In some versions, it contains a section called “An Epistle of Jeremiah.”
Psalm 151 (1010-970 BC)Written by David after his battle with Goliath
Prayer of Manasseh (1st cent BC)Supplements a story recorded in the Book of Chronicles, telling how Manasseh, who had done so many wicked things during his life, repented of his sins before he died.

Old Testaments Compared

Division Modern Catholic [New American Bible (Revised Edition)]Greek OrthodoxEthiopian Orthodox TewahedoProtestant OT
Pentateuch GenesisGenesisGenesisGenesis
 ExodusExodusExodusExodus
 LeviticusLeviticusLeviticusLeviticus
 NumbersNumbersNumbersNumbers
 DeuteronomyDeuteronomyDeuteronomyDeuteronomy
Histories JoshuaJoshuaJoshuaJoshua
 JudgesJudgesJudgesJudges
 RuthRuthRuthRuth
 1 Samuel1 KingdomsSamuel1 Samuel
 2 Samuel2 Kingdoms2 Samuel
 1 Kings3 KingdomsKings1 Kings
 2 Kings4 Kingdoms2 Kings
 1 Chronicles1 Para­lipomenon1 Chronicles1 Chronicles
 2 Chronicles2 Para­lipomenon (with the Prayer of Manasseh)2 Chronicles (with the Prayer of Manasseh)2 Chronicles
 Jubilees
 Enoch
 1 Esdras
 Ezra2 EsdrasEzra-NehemiahEzra
 Nehemiah Nehemiah
 2 Ezra and Ezra Setuel (Ezra Apocalypse)
 TobitTobitTobit
 JudithJudithJudith
 EstherEstherEstherEsther
Wisdom and Poetry JobJobJobJob
 PsalmsPsalms (with Psalm 151)Psalms (with Psalm 151)Psalms
 ProverbsProverbsMessale (Proverbs 1-24)Proverbs
 Taagsas (Proverbs 25-31)
 EcclesiastesEcclesiastesEcclesiastesEcclesiastes
 Song of SongsSong of SolomonSong of SolomonSong of Solomon
 Wisdom (Wisdom of Solomon)Wisdom of SolomonWisdom of Solomon
 Ben Sira (Sirach, Ecclesiasticus)SirachSirach
Prophets IsaiahIsaiahIsaiahIsaiah
 JeremiahJeremiahJeremiahJeremiah
 LamentationsLamentationsLamentationsLamentations
 Baruch (with the Letter of Jeremiah as ch. 6)Prophecy of BaruchBaruch (with the Letter of Jeremiah as ch. 6)
 Letter of Jeremiah
 EzekielEzekielEzekielEzekiel
 Daniel (with Susanna as ch 13, and Bell and the Dragon as ch 14)DanielDanielDaniel
 HoseaHoseaHoseaHosea
 JoelJoelJoelJoel
 AmosAmosAmosAmos
 ObadiahObadiahObadiahObadiah
 JonahJonahJonahJonah
 MicahMicahMicahMicah
 NahumNahumNahumNahum
 HabakkukHabakkukHabakkukHabakkuk
 ZephaniahZephaniahZephaniahZephaniah
 HaggaiHaggaiHaggaiHaggai
 ZechariahZechariahZechariahZechariah
 MalachiMalachiMalachiMalachi
Further Histories 1 Maccabees1 Maccabees
 2 Maccabees2 Maccabees
 3 Maccabees
 4 Maccabees (as an appendix)
 1 Maqabeyan
 2 and 3 Maqabeyan

Compare Hebrew Bible to Protestant Bible

Division Hebrew CanonProtestant OT
Torah BereshithGenesis
Sh’motExodus
VayikraLeviticus
BamidmarNumbers
D’varimDeuteronomy
Nevi’im (Prophets) Y’hoshuaJoshua
ShoftimJudges
Sh’muel1 Samuel
2 Samuel
M’lakhim1 Kings
2 Kings
Y’shayahuIsaiah
Yir’mi’yahuJeremiah
Y’khezqelEzekiel
The Twelve   (are combine into one scroll)Hoshea Yo’el Amos Ovadyah Yonah Mikhah Nakhum Havakuk Ts’phanyah Khagai Z’kharyah Mal’akhiHosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahm Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi
KetuvimSefrei Emet (Books of Truth)TehillimPsalms
MishleiProverbs
IyovJob
Five Megilot (Five Scrolls)Shir HashirimSong of Songs
RutRuth
EIkhahLamentations
KoheletEcclesiastes
EstherEsther
The rest of the writingsDanielDaniel
Ezra v’NechemiaEzra-Nehemiah
Divrei Hayamin1 and 2 Chronicles

New Testament Books

Books of the New Testament[4]
BookAuthorDate writtenSubject
Gospels/ Biographies
MATTHEWMatthewAD 35Christ the King
MARKMarkAD 42Christ the Servant
LUKELukeAD 59Christ the Man
JOHNJohnAD 42Christ the Lord
History
THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLESLukeChaps 1-13.   AD 58-60 Chaps 14-28, AD 63First Century Missions
Letters written by Paul to churches
ROMANSPaulAD 57Gospel for Jews and Gentles
1 CORINTHIANSPaulAD 56Christian Conduct
2 CORINTHIANSPaulAD 57Heart of ministry
GALATIANSPaulAD 53Salvation by grace
EPHESIANSPaulAD 61-63The church, Christ’s body
PHILLIPIANSPaulAD 61-63Christian experience
COLOSSIANSPaulAD 61-63Christ’s pre-eminence
1 THESSALONIANSPaulAD 51Christ’s return
2 THESSALONIANSPaulAD 51Day of the Lord
Letters written by Paul to individuals
1 TIMOTHYPaulAD 63church order
2 TIMOTHYPaulAD 67Holding the truth
TITUSPaulAD 63church order
PHILEMONPaulAD 61-63Love exemplified
Letters written by others
HEBREWSPaull ?AD 61-63Priesthood of Christ
JAMESJames, half-brother of JesusAD 40-41Practical Christian Living
1 PETERPeterAD 64-65Suffering and Glory
2 PETERPeterAD 65-66Last days
1 JOHNJohnAD 63-64Fellowship
2 JOHNJohnAD 63-64Christ’s commandment
3 JOHNJohnAD 63-64Walking in the truth
JUDEJude, half-brother of Jesus95AD 66-67Contending for the faith
Prophecy
REVELATIONJohnAD 95Consummation of His story

[1] Bible-History.com “Old Testament Books (in English Order)” bible-history.com/biblestudy/old-testament-books-english-order

[2] Mentioned by name or traditionally accepted

[3] Ross, Hugh. “When did God create Adam and Eve?” Reason to Believe reasons.org/explore/blogs/todays-new-reason-to-believe/when-did-god-create-adam-and-eve“The Bible’s genealogical record has apparent gaps. 4004BC (as calculated by Bishop Ussher in 1650AD) would be the date of Adam’s creation – if there were no gaps in the record. Some estimates go back to 200,000 years ago.”; Steinmann, Andrew E. “Gaps in the Genealogies in Genesis 5 and 11?” Bibliotheca Sacra  174 (2017): 141Ð58

[4] Biblestudy.org “When was the New Testament Written?” www.biblestudy.org/beginner/when-was-new-testament-written.html

Appendices

Dancing in the Kingdom- Table of Contents

Appendix B – Timeline for Middle East Empires

(all dates are approximate)

EmpireBiblical events
Akkad 2334-2112 BC              
Sumeria 2112-1717 BC

Egyptian Empire, New Kingdom 1570-1069 BC
2166 BC             Abraham born
2066 BC             Isaac born
2006 BC             Jacob and Esau born
1915 BC             Joseph was born
1876 BC             Israel settles in Egypt
Assyria 2225-609 BC

Egyptian Empire expands to greatest height 1458-1353 BC
1440 BC             Moses leads Israel out of
        Egypt
1360 BC             Period of Judges begins
1040 BC             Saul becomes king
1000 BC             David becomes king
960 BC               Solomon becomes king
920 BC               Divided kingdom begins
734-722 BC       Assyria captures northern
        kingdom
Babylonia 728-539 BC        605 BC               Babylon captures southern
       kingdom             
Persian 550-330 BC539 BC               Cyrus captures Babylon
535 BC               Cyrus allows Jews to return
Greek 333-146 BC166 – 129 BC      Maccabean revolt and
        Kingdom
Roman 27 BC-AD 47663 BC                  Rome captures land of Israel 6 BC                    Jesus is born

Appendices

Dancing in the Kingdom- Table of Contents

Appendix A – Tips on how to study the Bible

The following tips are taken from Fee, Gordon D. and Stuart, Douglas “How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth,” Zondervan, ©1981. Read Stuart and Fee’s book for more information.

The goal of interpretation is to understand the author’s intended meaning and that must be done in light of the language, time, and culture in which a document was written. The difficulty is that our interpretation is affected by our experiences, culture, education, etc. Biblical interpretation is also impacted by understanding the document in its original context while trying to discern how to apply that understanding in a universal way. The Bible also is a complex document written in many genres: history, law, poetry, wisdom, parables, sermons, etc. and each genre must be taken into consideration.

The process of interpretation, hermeneutics (the process of interpreting the text and applying its meaning) begins with the process of exegesis (the process of figuring out the original meaning of the text).

Exegesis

The process of exegesis involves asking the right questions of the text and figuring:

  • Context –
    • historical context– time and culture of the author and audience, occasion of the text, geographical, topographical, and political factors
    • literary – relation of each sentence to the preceding and succeeding sentences, units of thought (paragraphs of sections)
  • Content –
    • meanings of words grammatical relationships
    • Use of tools such as: good translation, Bible dictionary, commentary
  • Some types of exegesis are:
    • historical – find what text meant back when it was written or when it happened),
    • canonical – looking at entire text of Bible as a whole document designed to be what a specific community shapes its life by
  • symbolic/allegorical – figuring out the symbolism of each story, character, and event,
    • literary – considering the context in light of the literary form used and examining word choices, editing work, main themes, or narratives, etc.
    • rational – using logic and deductive techniques.

Hermeneutics

Hermeneutics ask questions about Bible’s meaning in reference to here and now: A text cannot mean what it never could have meant to its author or readers but when our current particulars match the original particulars, the principles (morals) could apply to us now.

  • One general problem is historical distance: the original text was written with little historical distance and was therefore a high context situation where things could be left unstated because they were assumed. We are reading the Bible in a low context situation where we have to try to discover what were those high context assumptions that were left out of the text.
  • Techniques include reading the entire document aloud in order to hear the text, outlining the text, dividing it into sections, make notes about people being referred to, attitudes, problems being discussed.
  • Our questions or problems about the text may not be the questions the original hearers were asking.
  • We need to be aware of the types of literature being used: parables, hyperbole, poetry, questions, irony, etc. so that we can interpret them appropriately.

Problems of historical context

  • determining the situation being written about
  • determining if the problems/questions we see are the problems/questions that would have been asked in those situations.
  • determining when a problem being addressed should be seen as just a historic particularity/culture or transcends the particular issue/culture and can be applied to more general situations.

Type of Bible translations.

  • Formal – adheres to structure of original language (NASB, HCSB, RSV, NRSV, ESV). In extreme, a literal translation (KJV, NKJV)
  • Functional – translates idioms in context of receptor language (NIV, NAB, GNB, NLT).
  • Free/paraphrase – translates ideas more than words or phrases (NEB, LB)

Types of considerations:

  • External evidence – quality and age of the manuscripts
  • Internal evidence – copyists and authors
  • Human variables – original language of manuscript, receptor language (language) being translated to.
  • Problem areas include translating weights, measures and money, euphemisms, wordplays, grammatical structures such as Greek use of genitive construction (my book vs. book of me, God’s grace vs grace of God), use of masculine language where women are included.
  • For these considerations it can be useful to have one of each type of translation. [1]

Narratives

Narratives are stories about particular historic events with three basic parts: characters, plot, and plot resolution. The narratives in the Bible are parts of the larger metanarrative which is the story of God and his working in the world and of his universal plan for creation and for his people. Old Testament Narratives are not meant to be allegories or teach moral lessons directly (unless they illustrate what is explicitly taught elsewhere). Narratives are descriptions of events and are not meant to establish norms unless there are explicit teachings elsewhere.


[1] There is sometimes a question about what translation will be best; there is no “best” translation. In fact, it might be best to have one of each kind of translation: formal equivalence, dynamic equivalence, and paraphrase. A Bible dictionary and a concordance are useful, and all of these are available online as well as in hard copy. The depth of your study will depend on your education, your effort and your available time and resources. The average person will have limited time and education to use all the information presented above. But none of these study methods are meant to be a substitute for the simple living of the gospel, a way of life that is available to all of us.

Being with Yahweh

Dancing in the Kingdom- Table of Contents

Dancing In the Kingdom – Part 3 – Dancing in the Kingdom– Epilogue

[Bible references: Matthew 5: 28, 41, 43; 28:19; Romans 6:14; Acts 2:42-47; 15:1-21, 29; 20:7; 21;25; 1 Corinthians 13:10; 2 Corinthians 3:3; Galatians 3:24-26; Ephesians 2:21; 4:29; 1 John 3:15]

The Sabbath Commandment, like the rest of the “law” was a practice for the nation of Israel but not for the Gentiles. However, that does not mean we can ignore all the obligations we do have as Christians: to build one another up and to share our gifts and resources with one another. Beginning with the early church in Acts, we see them regularly gathering for teaching, prayer and fellowship. After the New Testament times, those who were Messianic Jews (in current and early church) may have practiced Sabbath and the Lord’s Day, but Sunday was never meant to be the “Christian Sabbath.”

Non-Jewish Christians are not obligated to keep the Sabbath, as such, but they are subject to higher standards, such as the daily practice of yielding our time and possessions to God and the regular obligations of supporting our fellow believers, building each other up and participating with the church in making disciples. Not just one day a week, but every day of our lives we should be remembering that we are not masters of our time or our possessions, that the daily discipline of inconveniencing ourselves is an expression of our trust in God’s provision, that every day of our lives we should be trusting and resting in the Lord.

Understanding how the Sabbath celebration was only pointing to an eternity of daily enjoying the presence of God in all that we do can help us see how all the other “laws” are designed to do the same. The tabernacle was a symbol of God being with us in space. The Sabbath was a reminder of God being with us in time. Together they remind us that God owns all of space and time and desires to share it all with us. And how we share space and time with Yahweh has been revealed from the beginning of humanity. We are stewards of his temples: temples in space and time, the resources of Creation around us (our places and communities), the resources of Creation within us (our bodies, minds, souls and spirits), and the resources of time He has given us in His Creation to be with Him and rule with Him.

Belonging to Yahweh

Dancing in the Kingdom- Table of Contents

Dancing In the Kingdom – Part 3 – Dancing in the Kingdom– Epilogue

[Bible references: Isaiah 58:13-14]

The Commandments in both Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5 say that “the seventh day is a Sabbath of Yahweh.” The day belongs to him. All things and all time belong to Yahweh. The weekly celebration of the Sabbath is an opportunity for the Israelites to renounce their ownership of their possessions and their time, everything they have is a gift from Yahweh. It is in that spirit that the Israelites take the opportunity to refrain from their own pleasures.

The goal of Shabbat (to stop) is not just to stop but to Nuach (to dwell in the presence of Yahweh). The point of the cosmos is to have a place for Yahweh’s image-bearers to be with Him. The seventh day of creation was intended to be a prolonged period of experiencing God’s love by responding in love and obedience. When Yahweh saw his image-bearers rebel against him, he continued to show His love by implementing his plan to restore them to Himself.

To that end, Yahweh called Abraham through whom He would bless the world. From Abraham, Yahweh created a family which then became the nation, Israel, through which the Son of God would become born as the God-man, the Messiah. Israel therefore became the Covenant people who were given the Law and the Promises through which God would bless the entire world. After many years, when no one in the nation of Israel was able to fulfill the Law, the God-man, the Messiah came in order to fulfill the law, making it possible for not just Israel, but all of God’s image-bearers to be restored to Himself and to finally experience the opportunity to dwell at rest with Him.

The Sabbath was given to Israel as an opportunity to grow into the trust and obedience that are necessary for humans to experience nuach with God, and also to anticipate the ultimate Sabbath rest when God restores all of Creation to Himself. But until the time of final restoration, Sabbath practices are meant to be inconvenient. The Sabbath discipline of voluntary inconvenience helps to endure the inconveniences imposed by circumstances or by other people. The practice of voluntary inconvenience reminds us that we are not masters of our lives or time, that we need God’s provision, that our time” does not, in fact, belong to us, and that our labors are not what actually keeps us alive.

Patterns in time

Dancing in the Kingdom- Table of Contents

Dancing In the Kingdom – Part 3 – Dancing in the Kingdom– Epilogue

[Bible references: Exodus 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 5:12-15]

Patterns of the time when Yahweh intended to be with his people

Scripture points to more than the place where God will dwell with us, it also points to what we should expect to do while we are in that place. This perspective helps us to understand the Genesis 1 creation account. Why would the all-powerful God who could have ‘created’ or ‘dedicated’ everything at once and who never gets tired take 6 days for the creation/dedication and then, on an unending 7th day, take a rest.[1] That structure was not meant to indicate God’s needs or restrictions but was meant to create a template for us, a template we can use to find other similar patterns in scripture that will help us discover God’s revelation to us.

Patterns of Sabbath

One pattern, only seen if you know Hebrew, is that the consonants (original Hebrew had no vowel markings) used to create the number 7 (שֶׁבַע) are used as consonants for other words:  Sabbath (שַׁבָּת – to stop, to cease from), Shabbathon (ַבָּתוֹן – sabbath observance, complete rest), Shaba (שָׁבַע – to be full), Shavuot (שָׁבֻעֹת֙ – 7 weeks (feast day), Sheba (שֶׁבַע – seven), Shevua (שְׁבוּעַ – so swear an oath), Shmita (שְׁמִטָּה – release, a letting drop, the 7th year when slaves are released and debts are canceled). The pattern meant to be seen here is that whenever we see the number seven in scripture then we are to link that text to all these other terms: culmination, completion, perfection, wholeness, sabbath, cease from, full, oath, release.

The examples above are just a small sampling how “seven” is used as a pattern in the Hebrew bible. All the meanings associated with the 7th day point to the 7th day as the culminating day of creation/dedication and the temple/cosmos was now complete. Genesis 2:2 says that God stopped (Heb. “shabbat”) from all his work. Shabbat means to stop, to cease.[2] In Exodus 20, the commandment given to the Israelites was for them to remember the 7th day when God ceased from his “work.”

However, the commandment says that God stopped his work so that he could “nuach” and that we should do the same.  “Nuach” is typically translated as “rest,” but it also means to settle down and to dwell in.[3] Which means that when God “stopped” his work of dedicating the cosmos as the temple for him and his image-bearers, it was so he could then settle into it and to use the cosmos for his intended purpose. The purpose of the cosmos was to be a place where God to be with his people for the rest of eternity.

The purpose of the commandment given to the Israelites about the Sabbath was to create a schedule where every 7th day the normal work was to stop so that the Israelites could dedicate their time to be with God. The Sabbath was a reminder to the Israelites that they live and work in order to be with God, they did not live to work. Not working on the Sabbath also served as a reminder that they were dependent on God for their provision.

The Sabbath, then became a temple in time where the Israelites carved time out of the week to be dedicated to being with the Creator to help them remember their purpose for being. The purpose of stopping their normal routines (“shabbat”) was so that they could take time to rest in the presence of God (“nuach”).

When the commandments were repeated later in Deuteronomy 5, the Israelites were given another thing to remember on the Sabbath. They were to remember that they were slaves in the land of Egypt, but that Yahweh brought them out of there. So, there were two memories to be invoked on the Sabbath, memory of the purpose of creation and memory of God’s provision by bringing the Israelites out of slavery. And yet another memory would be invoked later, when Sabbath could be a time of remembering how God would release them from captivity in Babylon.

Both of the Sabbath memories 1) evoke the responsibilities given to God’s image-bearers at the beginning, to settle into the garden God provided with the responsibilities to fill the earth, to rule, subdue, and have dominion over other creatures, to serve (work) and oversee (guard) the garden, and 2) evoke the consequences of not trusting God which changed their service to a garden protected by God to a slavery of a land that resisted their efforts. The work that we were designed to do, to aid God as co-regents in the world was meant to be enjoyable. We originally were to serve the garden which was provided as a gift of God. But in the post-exile from Eden work, we have to work the ground until it kills us from the hard labor and the sweat. As God said to Cain, “The ground will only with difficulty, give you its yield.” (CSB)


[1] The Genesis 1:2-2:3 creation week is most fruitfully read as a “calendar narrative.” It is a special kind of historical narrative in which historical events are given the dates of a festival observance (sabbath observance in the case of the creation week), without regard for the timing of the original occurrence … Genesis 1:1-2:3 provides a narration of creation events, but the timing and details of its telling are transparently “remapped” to the cadence and themes of Israel’s weekly sabbath festival.” LeFebvre, Michael. “The Liturgy of Creation” Understanding Calendars in Old Testament Context” Intervarsity Press 2019

[2] Benner, Jeff A. “The Living Words: Sabbath” Ancient Hebrew Research Center www.ancient-hebrew.org/living-words/the-living-words-sabbath.htm

[3] Benner, Jeff A. “No’ahh” Ancient Hebrew Research Center www.ancient-hebrew.org/mt/articles_names.html; Nabors, Amy. “Nuach” Ordinarily Extraordinary 1/31/14 ordinarilyextraordinary.com/nuach

Patterns in space

Dancing in the Kingdom- Table of Contents

Dancing In the Kingdom – Part 3 – Dancing in the Kingdom– Epilogue

[Bible references: Genesis 10, 12, 13; John 2:21; 1 Corinthians :19-20; Ephesians 2:19-22; Revelation 21:22]

The Cosmic Temple

We need to put to the side our current modern western controversies about trying to interpret the pre-modern biblical text of Genesis 1-2 as if it was meant to have scientific meaning about the beginnings of the universe and of humanity.  As we can understand it now, the text in Genesis 1 was meant to be interpreted as the dedication of a temple.[1]

Before the point of dedication, the universe was in a state of chaos. Imposing the pattern of a temple onto the chaos brought order out of the chaos. The dedication took place in the first “six days.” The “seventh day,” does not end with the phrase “there was evening and morning.” That is, the seventh day is supposed to be ongoing. Putting this all together, the cosmos/temple was finished being dedicated on the 6th day and from that time forward was meant to be lived in. The entire cosmos was now dedicated for the rest of eternity to be a place where God, introduced in Genesis 1 as Elohim, would meet with his image-bearing creatures.

In Genesis 2, God is now introduced by his personal name, Yahweh, as he introduces us to those creatures who will bear his image, creatures who he intends to have a personal relationship with. Between Genesis 1 and 2, we can see that God has intended that his image-bearing creatures are intended to serve as his stewards, as co-regents in the temple he created, particularly in the garden where he placed his first image-bearing creatures. God’s kingdom was complete, all of cosmos was now the place of God’s perfect reign and rule.

Rebellion in the temple

To make image-bearing creatures who could be capable of responding with love to the love he has shown them, Yahweh had to give his image-bearing creatures free-will, that is, to have the ability to choose to not respond in love. And it is in Genesis 3, where we see those image-bearing creatures turn away from Yahweh’s love and choose to go their own way.  The sad result was the breaking of relationships, between God and his creatures, between the creatures themselves and between the creatures and the land they were supposed to steward. The rest of the Bible tells the story of God’s plan to restore all those relationships, to restore His kingdom.

God’s plan of restoration would unfold only gradually, over, at least what seems to us, would be a long, long time. Despite the rebellion of his image-bearers, God still intended to act through those image-bearers as his co-regents. All sorts of things were broken, but God did not revoke his expectation that his image-bearers would be stewards of the now-broken kingdom. God still intended to carry out his will through his image-bearers.

Many generations would pass, and God’s people would multiply and from those people nations would form. From out of those nations, God selected one particular man through which begin to visibly begin to carry out His plan of restoration. God would work through that that one man to form one family among others through which God would form one nation among others, through which God would eventually bless the entire world, restoring the entire world to himself.

Within the context of that entire plan, God would speak through his prophets, and through scripture, to show us through patterns of time and space how we can participate with him in restoring His kingdom.

After the rebellion, one of the first patterns we see is the silence and apparent absence of God. The pattern we see emerge is that our rebellion destroys God’s order, bringing chaos back to God’s creation with the resulting apparent absence of God. Fortunately, even though the God’s apparent absence is a natural consequence of our rebellion, that apparent absence can also be used by God to help us draw near to him. This then, becomes one of the patterns God reveals to us, showing us how we can be restored to Him.

Patterns of the place where Yahweh intended to be with his people

While the first people were still in the Garden of Eden, God merely “walked” among them. If all of cosmos was the temple where God would be with his people, then the Garden was the sanctuary within that temple. The rebellion caused God’s people to be put outside that sanctuary, but God would use the Garden of Eden as a pattern to create other spaces where God would be with His people.

Throughout scripture we can find the images of Eden in the ark,[2] in the tabernacle and the temple,[3] in Jesus, in our bodies, in the church. Then finally, we will see, that all those patterns point to the moment when all of creation is restored and the whole of heaven and earth finally and fully joined together and the Kingdom of God is fully complete.


[1] Walton, John. “The Lost World of Adam and Eve,” Proposition 3, pp. 35-45 InterVarsity Press. 2015 Kindle Edition; Driver, Cory. “Commentary on Genesis 1:1-5” Working Preacher 10 Jan 2021 www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/baptism-of-our-lord-2/commentary-on-genesis-11-5-5; Carlson, Reed. “Commentary on Genesis 1:1-2:4a 12 Working Preacher Sept 2011 www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/narrative-lectionary/creation-by-the-word/commentary-on-genesis-11-24a-5; Throntveit, Mark. “Commentary on Genesis 1:1-2:4a Working Preacher 1 Sept 2011 www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/narrative-lectionary/creation/commentary-on-genesis-11-31-21-4

[2] Powell, Mark Allen. “Noah’s Ark as Mosaic Tabernacle” Academia.edu www.academia.edu/25255095/Noahs_Ark_as_Mosaic_Tabernacle; Holloway, Steven W. “What Ship Goes There: The Flood Narratives in the Gilgamesh Epic and Genesis Considered in Light of Ancient Near East Temple Ideology” James Madison University 1991; Triolo, Joseph. “The Tabernacle as Structurally Akin to Noah’s Ark: Considering Cult, Cosmic Mountain, and Diluvial Arks in Light of the Gilgamesh epic and the Hebrew Bible” SBL Pacific Coast Regional Conference 2019

[3] Morrow, Jeff. “Creation as Temple-Building and Work as Liturgy in Genesis 1-3” Wisdom in Torah http://www.wisdomintorah.com/wp-content/uploads/Creation-as-Temple-Building-and-Work-as-Liturgy-in-Genesis-1-31.pdf Seton Hall University

Summary

Dancing in the Kingdom- Table of Contents

Dancing In the Kingdom – Part 3 – Dancing in the Kingdom– Chapter 19 –The Story of the Kingdom Revisited

[Bible ref; Matthew 3:2-8]

This then is our story:

The Good Earth A good God created a good earth and he desired that the good image-bearing people he made would, in all the ways that we reflect his glory, take charge of the earth, to steward it and develop it with all the creative gifts he bestowed on his good people.

The Rebellion Abusing the freedom given them, the people rebelled, causing everything on the earth to be corrupted including themselves, creating a separation between them and the just God therefore bringing upon themselves the penalty and gift of death.

Faith and the Law This, however, did not disrupt the love of God towards them. The good and loving God put in place His plan to restore everything, including the relationship between His people and himself. He set aside a chosen people for himself, through whom he would give laws that would, on the one hand, clearly show their inability to restore the broken relationship in their own power, but on the other hand, provide a pathway for God, in his power, to restore their relationship.

The Kingdom Arrives Entering the world as a human, he took the penalty of that rebellion, that sin, upon himself by dying on our behalf. He then offered, purely by grace, an invitation for his people to leave their rebellion and return to him. His continuous invitation was, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven has come … bear fruit in keeping with repentance.”

Already and Not Yet Before fully restoring us and all of earth from our corruption, he left us in charge one more time, and giving us His Spirit, He has given us the opportunity to continue the work for which he originally created us. Although this work is impeded by the corruption of the world, we, by the power of the Spirit, are still able to help him usher in his kingdom, even if only in part, until he comes again and restores us and the earth to our full goodness so that we can fully flourish as he has intended for us from the beginning.

The City and the Garden In the fulness of time, Jesus will return to earth in all His glory and will transform not only earth but us, removing all the present corruption. Heaven will be fully rejoined to earth, and we will receive transformed bodies to live on the transformed earth. God will be glorified in many ways, including in the full flourishing of His kingdom.

The city and the garden: heaven and earth rejoined

Dancing in the Kingdom- Table of Contents

Dancing In the Kingdom – Part 3 – Dancing in the Kingdom– Chapter 19 –The Story of the Kingdom Revisited

[Bible references: Genesis 1:26-29, 2:15; Daniel 12:2-3; Matthew 25:14-15; Luke 12:42-46, 19:13; John 20:26-27; 1 Corinthians 12; Romans 12:1-8; 1 Peter 4:10; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelations 21]

Our final destiny is not to a disembodied existence, but to a new, transformed body, transformed in the way that Jesus was when he was resurrected. Earth itself will also be transformed, with its corruption being removed, not back into a Garden of Eden, but into the earth as it was meant to be, filled and civilized, with a new Jerusalem being brought from heaven to earth. We are not being sent to heaven, heaven is coming to us.

Knowing we are moving to this end, in the present age we can be motivated to express our hope by living out our hope as in mentioned in The Lord’s Prayer, “thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” This encourages us to do what we can to help usher in God’s kingdom now, if only in part. The full entry of the kingdom will not happen until the Lord returns and establishes a new heaven and earth, but we do not need to wait hopelessly as if there is nothing we can do. God has given everyone in his church gifts with which we can build each other up and take charge as His stewards of the earth.

When Jesus was resurrected, his transformed body still bore resemblance to his old body, it even kept the wounds of the crucifixion. In the same way, we should also expect that just as our transformed bodies will resemble who we are now, that the transformed earth will resemble the earth as it is now. The transformation will be a healing of earth and our bodies, rather a destruction of the corruptions within[1].

Just as God is presently glorified by the vitality and the flourishing of life on earth, we should expect that such vitality and flourishing should continue. Just as we are presently given gifts and abilities to build each other up now, we should expect the same later, although in a new, uncorrupted context. The corruption of life on earth has severely limited our God-given, human potential in vast ways we can hardly imagine. In what incredible ways will we glorify God when we, as a flourishing community, can express our God-given gifts without restriction and without the impediment of sin and corruption?


[1] Wright, NT. Surprised by Hope Harper Collins e-book, 2008 (p.25-26)

Already and not yet: heaven and earth joined in his image-bearers

Dancing in the Kingdom- Table of Contents

Dancing In the Kingdom – Part 3 – Dancing in the Kingdom– Chapter 19 –The Story of the Kingdom Revisited

Unleashing the Kingdom

[Bible references: Exodus 31:1-6; Isaiah 56:1; Matthew 6:10; 28:16-20’ Acts 2:3-4; Romans 12:9; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:9; James 1:27; 3:17]

After Jesus ascended to heaven, he told the disciples to wait for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Jesus began the work of bringing the Kingdom of Heaven to earth. That work would now be carried on by the disciples who would now be empowered by the very Spirit of God that empowered Jesus.

While we wait in this in-between time, God is at work through the Holy Spirit, continuing to bring people to Himself, continuing to build His kingdom. The task that lies before us is to join Him in His work. The prayer He gave for us to say says, “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” This prayer asks that His kingdom be brought to earth, the Kingdom of justice and mercy. Empowered by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, it is our opportunity to do our part, with whatever ability He has given us, to work with Him in bringing His justice and mercy on earth: to look after the widows, orphans, the helpless, and the marginalized; to have compassion; to not lie about others; Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts; bringing the good news of Jesus to all. This is simply doing the task assigned to us from the beginning: to fill the earth and subdue it as his co-regents, to take care of the earth as farmer-priests representing Him on earth.

In the now-broken earth, many people think of human civilization as a corruption and pollution of the earth, that the earth was only meant to be pristine – as it was before humans started to mess it up. While we certainly have abused the earth in many ways, that does not mean all aspects of human civilization are inherently bad. When we use our God-given capabilities to join God in His kingdom building, that is good. Many things that we design, create and build are inherently good. The problem lies in our corruption and the world’s corruption that causes us to misuse every good thing[1].

“There are two ways in which God imposes his law on the cosmos, two ways in which his will is done on earth as in heaven. He does it either directly, without mediation, or indirectly through the involvement of human responsibility … entrusts to mankind the tasks of making tools, doing justice, producing art and pursuing scholarship … The effects of sin touch all of creation; no created thing is in principle untouched by the corrosive effects of the fall. Whether we look at the state or family, or cultural pursuits such as art or technology, or bodily functions such as sexuality or eating, or anything at all within the wide scope of creation, we discover that the good handiwork of God has been drawn into the sphere of human mutiny against God.”

When we were charged with filling and subduing the earth, it did not mean that we were to simply expand the Garden of Eden. God had given us many gifts to use, including tremendous creative abilities. We were given various spiritual gifts for the purpose of building one another up; we were given artistic gifts to make articles for the Tabernacle and Temple; we were given gifts of singing, making musical instruments and craftsmanship, hunting, trading, sailing – in general, making the things of civilization.

It is undeniable that, despite the corruption we see, God has provided us an abundance of creative skills for displaying His transcendence and glory in our art, technology, engineering and sciences. He has also given us social and political skills to create human public and private institutions that can organize our abilities to do good.

It does not take much observation to notice the corruption that has permeated our society. It can seem hard to determine if we have misused more than we properly used the gifts and abilities God has given us. Nevertheless, as God’s co-regents we have been given a sacred obligation to join God in His restoration of the earth.


[1] Wolters, Albert M. Creation Regained: Biblical Bases for a Reformational Worldview. William B. Eerdmans Publishing 1985, 2005. eBook

The Kingdom arrives

Dancing in the Kingdom- Table of Contents

Dancing In the Kingdom – Part 3 – Dancing in the Kingdom– Chapter 19 –The Story of the Kingdom Revisited

Confounding the strong

[Bible references: Genesis 21; 25; 1 Samuel 1; Isaiah 54:1-3; 2 Corinthians 12:10]

A recurring theme in scripture is God’s habit of turning the tables on conventional thinking: the weak become strong, the wise are foolish and the barren shall become fruitful. On more than one occasion, children were born to couples who were old and barren. We also see God choosing a small, seemingly insignificant nation that has left very few archeological clues about its existence[1] to be the people through whom God would send someone to redeem the whole world.

About 4000 years ago, God called Abram from a major city, Ur, to go to a land promised to his descendants. Neither Abraham, his children, grandchildren or great grandchildren would be more than guests in a land not yet their own. Abram’s great grandchildren and their descendants would find themselves first guests, and then slaves, in a foreign country.

About 3000 years ago, when the captive nation finally returned to the Promised Land, there were several hundred years when they kept on assimilating themselves into the culture of the land they had supposedly captured. When they finally came together under a king, that united kingdom only lasted 120 years before dividing up and then each kingdom was torn away into exile. After a brief absence, a remnant had returned while they had momentarily re-established themselves as a kingdom, they were now simply a client province of a great Roman empire.

Overseen by a puppet king of the Roman Empire, the religious rulers, the Sadducees, were infused with Greek culture. The more devout rulers, the Pharisees, were focused more on external appearances and not on the one issue that God had chastised the nation over and over again, justice. But in the midst of this, there would be a faithful remnant, ready to receive the Messiah[2].

The Messiah: The Suffering Servant

[Bible references: Isaiah 53:3; Matthew 3:16-17; 9:8; 11:5; John 21:25; Galatians 4;4-5]

Since the rebellion of Adam and Eve, it has always been a mystery to try to look forward in time to try to see God’s timetable for reconciling his image-bearers to himself. Even now, we still do not know when the fullness of time shall come for God to fully remove the corruption from His creation, but 2000 years ago the first stage of God’s redemption was begun. The Son of God, Jesus, would be born to a devout couple but who were of no political or social influence. His childhood was un-newsworthy to the point of it still being mostly unknown. But when Jesus’ brief 3-year public ministry finally begins, it seems that not enough could be written.

To begin his ministry, Jesus, the Son of God, instructed John the Baptist to baptize him. As Jesus went up out of the water, the Holy Spirit descended like a dove and the Father spoke. “This is my son in whom I am well pleased. And so, Jesus, in conversation with the Father and empowered by the Holy Spirit established the Kingdom of God on earth. It is very notable that both his birth and life are prophesied about in great detail in the Old Testament[3]. Jesus’ miracles – his healings of the lame, the blind and other diseases; the casting out of demons – validated his ministry.  His teachings were given with such authority, Jesus became distinguished greatly among the other teachers of the law. His life, totally without sin, was undeniable. His continually called people to take note that the Kingdom of Heaven (or of God) was near[4]; indeed, the kingdom was visible by His own presence among the people, His restoring people’s health by His healing, and the good news taught to the poor.

Law fulfilled, Life given

[Bible references: Matthew 5:17; Galatians 3:13-14; Romans 5:20-21]

But all of that was not the main point of the Messiah coming to live among us. The main reason the Messiah was born was so that he could die on our behalf. Indeed, his teaching means nothing if he has not resolved the problem of our sin. For that reason, he had to die the death that we were meant to die and to suffer what we were meant to suffer so that he could offer the life he meant us to live.

In Jesus we see the fulfillment of what was spoken of before in the Law and the Prophets about the Law, the Tabernacle and the Sabbath. The Law was given to expose our sins. The Tabernacle was given to show us how our sins could be removed. The Sabbath was given to reveal the rest that was available to us. All these were fulfilled in Jesus. We no longer need the Law to correct us because the law was fulfilled and would now be written in our hearts. We no longer need the Tabernacle (or Temple) because Christ was the sacrifice once and for all. We no longer need to set aside the Sabbath for rest because our rest could now be found in Jesus.

None of the promises given by God were promises for us to keep. There were no rituals or laws for us to keep in order to receive the promises. All was a gift for us to receive which we merely need to receive by faith; the faith that recognized our separation from the righteous and holy God because of our sinful nature and that God’s own loving sacrifice was sufficient to pay the just penalty for our sin and to make us righteous before God. Once our faith recognizes and receives this love of God, we have nothing to do but by His grace turn away from our sin and to turn towards the God who loves us.

First fruits of the Resurrection

[Bible references: Matthew 28: 18-20; 1 Corinthians 15:3-6]

We can have a great confidence in this message because of the resurrection of Jesus. As foretold by scripture and was witnessed by many, three days after Jesus was executed, he was resurrected from the dead, where he continued to preach to the people for many days. On His last day on earth in his bodily form, he commissioned his disciples to take the good news and make disciples in Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

During the last days of His ministry, Jesus was making it very clear about His identity as the Son of God. As this became clear, the people’s expectations were that He would then overthrow the Roman government and set up a physical kingdom of Israel – they thought that their salvation would be freedom from the Romans. When it became clear that this was not what Jesus was going to do, they turned on him. Even Jesus’ disciples lost hope upon His death. It wasn’t until Jesus’ resurrection that they began to understand the bigger picture.

After Jesus’ resurrection, the scripture’s prophesies about the Messiah became clearer. For the Messiah needed to come the first time to suffer and die, then the second time the Messiah will come in glory to fully restore the Kingdom. In the meantime, we are living between the first and second coming of the Messiah. The Kingdom is already here, but not yet fully.

When Jesus came the first time, it was to begin to usher in the Kingdom of God – and He made it manifest by his healings and teachings. But now, we are waiting for His return when He will come to fully restore His Kingdom. The first time, Jesus was resurrected. When He comes a second time, there will be a new heaven and earth, and everyone will be resurrected.


[1] Bohstrom, Philippe.” Did David and Solomon’s United Monarchy Exist? Vast Ancient Mining Operation May Hold Answers” Nov 21, 2017 www.haaretz.com/archaeology/MAGAZINE-timna-mines-support-biblical-tale-of-king-david-s-united-kingdom-1.5466612 accessed 2/16/2017

[2] Gutierrez, Juan Marco Benarano. Judaisms of the Second Temple Period” Forgotten Origins: The Lost Jewish History of Early Christianity, Yaron Publishing 2017

[3] Majoran, Ray. “The Prophecies about Jesus”  My Case for God. My Case for Christ. yourbreathinme.com/my-case-for-god-my-case-for-christ/the-prophecies-about-jesus/ accessed 2/16/2019

[4] Book of Matthew 31 times; Luke 32 times