We spend another day with Selwyn looking at the question; is death Christ’s coming? The answer is ‘No’. To use the verse (John 21:22); ‘Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”‘, as evidence for the second advent re Jesus coming to a believer at the point of death – is a common error – taking a verse out of its context and ignoring the rest of the text. As Selwyn mentions, John provides a clarification, to make it very clear what Jesus meant. Why would anyone take a view about the meaning of a verse without looking at what else is mentioned in Scripture as well as the author’s own clarification? As I wrote yesterday – what’s the agenda of a person who tries to re-define what the Second Coming of Jesus means – when, if you read the relevant verses, it’s fairly clear and unambiguous?
 I’m currently reading a book, printed some time ago (1984), called ‘Keep in Step with the Spirit’ by J.I. Packer (who was then Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology at Regent College, Vancouver).
The interesting aspect for me is that while I may disagree slightly over some minor points I fully agree with the ‘headline’ issues discussed in this book. You may have noticed over the last year that I usually agree with Selwyn on the major issues which he raises. I find it more and more these days that there is a gradual coalescence of my views about God and His world (& Word) with a wide range (in terms of backgrounds) of evangelical ministers and theologians. I think this is only natural – as the Holy Spirit works with us to brings us to the same understanding of our relationship with God.
At the same time, I’m becoming more aware that we can never fully understand the ways of God and that it’s a real waste of time trying to do so – it’s a position of ignorance, which some never leave because of their desire to reduce God to something the human intellect can define and describe.
I’m often amazed al the mental contortions some people indulge in, in an attempt to force Scripture verses to say what they want to hear – what’s your view about this issue?
Is death, Christ’s coming?
We spend another day with Selwyn looking at the question; is death Christ’s coming? The answer is ‘No’. To use the verse (John 21:22); ‘Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”‘, as evidence for the second advent re Jesus coming to a believer at the point of death – is a common error – taking a verse out of its context and ignoring the rest of the text. As Selwyn mentions, John provides a clarification, to make it very clear what Jesus meant. Why would anyone take a view about the meaning of a verse without looking at what else is mentioned in Scripture as well as the author’s own clarification? As I wrote yesterday – what’s the agenda of a person who tries to re-define what the Second Coming of Jesus means – when, if you read the relevant verses, it’s fairly clear and unambiguous?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
 I’m currently reading a book, printed some time ago (1984), called ‘Keep in Step with the Spirit’ by J.I. Packer (who was then Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology at Regent College, Vancouver).
The interesting aspect for me is that while I may disagree slightly over some minor points I fully agree with the ‘headline’ issues discussed in this book. You may have noticed over the last year that I usually agree with Selwyn on the major issues which he raises. I find it more and more these days that there is a gradual coalescence of my views about God and His world (& Word) with a wide range (in terms of backgrounds) of evangelical ministers and theologians. I think this is only natural – as the Holy Spirit works with us to brings us to the same understanding of our relationship with God.
At the same time, I’m becoming more aware that we can never fully understand the ways of God and that it’s a real waste of time trying to do so – it’s a position of ignorance, which some never leave because of their desire to reduce God to something the human intellect can define and describe.
I’m often amazed al the mental contortions some people indulge in, in an attempt to force Scripture verses to say what they want to hear – what’s your view about this issue?
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