07 February 2016
Two-Minute Features | 14 February 2016 | 31 January 2016

Preaching a Different Gospel? Part 2 (TMF:340)

Friday, February 12, 2016
Peace to Live By: Preaching a Different Gospel? Part 2 (TMF:340) - Daniel Litton
(tap or right-click link to download two-minute feature)

       It also tells us that a supernatural being can actually present something as being part of God's Word. But this, just because it is supernatural, does not give it authority as being from God. Satan and his demons can appear as angels of light to offer new revelation, but they are always lying to led people astray. Remember, there is never any new relation anymore. We can all likely think of people we know who have been led astray by some form of incorrect, added to, so called 'Christian' teaching. And we need to pray for those who have been influenced by them, so that they will come to know the 'true' truth. It is also important to note that not all of the New Testament author's writings were included within the Canon. Undoubtedly, many of the New Testament writers wrote other things that were not inspired by God. And these, whether in existence today or not, are not considered part of the Biblical Canon. It wasn't until 1546, for instance, that some included the books of the Apocrypha as part of the Biblical Canon.

Preaching a Different Gospel? Part 1 (TMF:339)

Thursday, February 11, 2016
Peace to Live By: Preaching a Different Gospel? Part 1 (TMF:339) - Daniel Litton
(tap or right-click link to download two-minute feature)

       I think it is important to look at Galatians 1 discussing whether a new book should be added to the Bible. At the time the Apostle Paul wrote this, some Jewish believers were changing the way of Christianity that Christ had ordained by his death on the cross. Paul says, "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:6-9, ESV). This is an important passage because, for one, it tells us that there should never be another form or different type of Gospel that is to be preached, like some so called 'Christian' religions of today prescribe, for instance. It also tells us that a supernatural being can actually present something as being part of God's Word.

Compiling the Complete Canon of Scripture (TMF:338)

Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Peace to Live By: Compiling the Complete Canon of Scripture (TMF:338) - Daniel Litton
(tap or right-click link to download two-minute feature)

       Of course, like with anything, there were disputes and disagreements as to which books should be considered as part of the Canon of Scripture. Nonetheless in 397 A.D., it was decided that all 27 books of the New Testament that we have today be considered as the Canon of the New Testament. The Old Testament books, all 39 books, had already been decided upon in the past. This was the complete Canon, and all and any future hopes of adding to it were eliminated at this point in human history. I think it is important to look at Galatians 1 discussing whether a new book should be added to the Bible. At the time the Apostle Paul wrote this, some Jewish believers were changing the way of Christianity that Christ had ordained by his death on the cross. Paul says, "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel.”

Discussing the Canonization of Scripture (TMF:337)

Tuesday, February 09, 2016
Peace to Live By: Discussing the Canonization of Scripture (TMF:337) - Daniel Litton
(tap or right-click link to download two-minute feature)

       Now I want to discuss the canonization of Scripture. In understanding the canonicity of the Bible, there are certain things one needs the know. For starters, each book from the Bible is self authenticating. In other words, each book stands by itself as Scripture whether or not it is approved of by mankind. I will quote again 2 Timothy 3:16-17, which states, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work" (ESV). Councils would eventually put together in the Bible in the first 400 years after the birth of Christ, but all the books were inspired by the Holy Spirit from the point in which they were written. And it wasn't that the councils actually made a book become inspired. Obviously, because the Bible had not been put together, at least the New Testament, at the time of the early church (where Peter was head), it was necessary for groups of people to come together and decide which books should be part of the Canon.

Our Guidelines to Live By Continued (TMF:336)

Monday, February 08, 2016
Peace to Live By: Our Guidelines to Live By Continued (TMF:336) - Daniel Litton
(tap or right-click link to download two-minute feature)

       To please God, or rather be pleasing to God, we as Christians need to have guidelines and rules to live life by. The Bible, in its entirety, is sufficient in giving us these rules and guidelines to follow. In the church age of today, the New Testament is particularly resourceful in laying out how the Christian should live and walk about in his or her life. Jesus, in his teachings, said that the teaches he presents do not abolish the Old Testament law, but rather indeed fulfill the Old Testament law. And Jesus laid out all kinds of guidelines in different areas of life throughout his earthly ministry. The Apostle Paul would get even more specific in regard to the behavior of the church and the Christians in particular. Throughout all of his books, there are very specific instructions for how to live. Issues like relating with other people, family, marriage, divorce, parenting, and other areas of life are discussed. Both Paul and the Apostle John, especially, note that the Christian's love is vitally important in his and her relationships with others, for instance. See 1 Corinthians chapter 13 and John's epistles for more on this.