Dr Paul Allen

“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.” ( Deuteronomy 30:19 ) Shortly before his death, Moses restated the law and the covenant between God and His people summed up in the greatest commandment : “Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might” ( Deuteronomy 6:5 ). Furthermore, Moses claimed that “this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven . . . . Neither is it beyond the sea” ( Deuteronomy 30:11-13 ). Nothing about it was hard to understand. “But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it” ( Deuteronomy 30:14 ). Indeed, the evidence that God is Creator , Judge, Provider, and Redeemer is all around us. Our text informs us that “heaven and earth” are witnesses of God’s...

English: Basic minimal (equilateral triangular) version of the "Shield of the Trinity" or "Scutum Fidei" diagram of traditional Christian symbolism, with translated English-language captions (in place of original Latin). See Shield of the Trinity. Text was converted to paths for improved display. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) The doctrine of the Trinity is an important cornerstone of Christian belief . In 1 Corinthians 12:4–6, Paul refers to the deep relationship among the three persons of the Trinity: the Spirit, the Lord (Christ) and God (the Father). He illustrates how unity in the church — in terms of spiritual gifts, kinds of service and kinds of working — should reflect the unity of the Trinity. But how does the relationship among the persons of the Trinity provide evidence of  Jesus ’ divine nature? Although the term Trinity is never used in the Bible, the early church fathers discerned the concept from verses like Matthew 28:19 2 Corinthians 13:14...

An ad campaign for a credit card pounds away at consumers with the relentless tagline, “What’s in your wallet?” A far more important question arises for those embracing the Shema with its Great Commandment of Deuteronomy 6:5 . The next verse prescribes the starting place for an all-consuming love for God : “These words that I command you today shall be on your heart.” A lot rides on how we answer the question, “What’s on your heart?” A heart in love with God will be saturated with Scripture. What does on-your- heart Scripture saturation look like? Deuteronomy 11:18 says, “Lay up these words of mine in your heart.” Deuteronomy 32:46 counsels, “Take to heart all the words.” Psalm 119:11 says, “I have stored up your word in my heart.” Proverbs 3:3 pictures it this way: “Write them [God’s words] on the tablet of your heart.” Proverbs 7:1 puts it, “Treasure up my commandments with you.” Luke 8:15 says, “Hold it fast in an honest and good heart.” Colossians 3:16 directs, “Let the w...

Image via Wikipedia Matthew 5:17-20  The distinction between the civil, ceremonial, and moral laws of the Mosaic code is not so clear on the pages of Scripture. Nevertheless, the distinction is a helpful tool for applying this law to our lives today. We study the Mosaic law to learn what God would have us do in Christ .  This law has been written on our hearts thanks to the Holy Spirit , though we still certainly struggle doing it. Make sure to spend time each week in study of the law of God. For further study: Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Related articles Gender of God (solmazhafezi.wordpress.com) I do not know, what I do not know! (hendriekusr.wordpress.com) Sabbath School Commentary: The Oneness of God (clearerperspective.wordpress.com) The New Covenant ~ by Eudora Nachand (eudoranachand.wordpress.com) Understanding the New Covenant Part Two ~ By Eudora Nachand (eudoranachand.wordpress.com) Empowered to Make a Change: Tb Joshua (tbjfansuk.wordpress.com) So Easily ...

Image via Wikipedia Mary and Joseph lost Jesus when He was a kid. It took three days to find Him, but there He was, “in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions” (Luke 2:46). Jesus was in the Temple, the center of worship. It was also the center of learning. “And all who heard him were amazed at His understanding and his answers” (Luke 2:47). Our Bibles give us only one glimpse into Jesus’ boyhood, and that scene depicts Him as an avid learner and a diligent student, actively engaged in lively theological discussion. So why is there so much suspicion toward Christian scholars today who, like the 12-year old Jesus, have a penchant for hanging out in centers of learning and engaging in lively theological discourse? Why the anti-intellectualism in the Church today? To be sure, Jesus was no intellectual elitist. Marveling over His brilliant teaching, some folks once asked, “How is it that this man has learning, when He has never studied?” (John ...

Image by hickory hardscrabble via Flickr "Hear, O Israel : The LORD our God is one LORD." ( Deuteronomy 6:4 )   This great verse has been recited countless times by Israelites down through the centuries, setting forth their distinctive belief in one great Creator God. The Jews had retained their original belief in creation, handed down from Noah, while the other nations had all allowed their original monotheistic creationism to degenerate into a wide variety of religions, all basically equivalent to the polytheistic evolutionism of the early Sumerians at Babel.   But along with its strong assertion of monotheism, there is also a very real suggestion that this declaration, with its thrice-named subject, is also setting forth the Triune God. The name, "Lord," of course, is Yahweh, or Jehovah , the self-existing One who reveals Himself, while "God" is Elohim , the powerful Creator/Ruler. "Jehovah our Elohim is one Jehovah" is the proclamation....