These articles were written for a weekly bible study which explores the Bible cover to cover. It is intentionally written to be reflective (ie. how the understanding leads to transformed lives), but also to answer some of the difficult questions of the Bible (ie. apparent discrepancies or contradictions, and some of the morally questionable event recorded therein, etc). In the end, these articles is aimed to help further readings, not replace it. Oh, by the way, the lessons are still on-going, so updates will be done periodically.
Oh yes. Some of the lessons have not been uploaded, for no reason other than laziness. When speaking on a topic I am familiar with, I notice that it takes more time for me to write up the notes. I enjoy writing, as it helps me organize my thoughts. But when the lesson is over and done with, sometimes getting back to the laptop takes extra discipline. These will be uploaded, I promise. Also, from time to time I may update the contents of some of these papers (sometimes when I redo some of the lessons, I end up adding to the content); and when I do so, I will indicate that changes has been made.
Oh yes. Some of the lessons have not been uploaded, for no reason other than laziness. When speaking on a topic I am familiar with, I notice that it takes more time for me to write up the notes. I enjoy writing, as it helps me organize my thoughts. But when the lesson is over and done with, sometimes getting back to the laptop takes extra discipline. These will be uploaded, I promise. Also, from time to time I may update the contents of some of these papers (sometimes when I redo some of the lessons, I end up adding to the content); and when I do so, I will indicate that changes has been made.
OLD TESTAMENT
GENESIS
This article discusses Genesis chapters 1 and 2, and attempts to explain the Creation story as the foundation of all reality. Genesis 1 & 2 describes reality before sin, and therefore reality as it was initially designed; where everything was individually "good" and corporately "very good"
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This article discusses Genesis Chapter 3, and attempts to explain the effects of the Fall. Sin comes not as something hideous, but as something deceptively good and desirable. And subsequent to sin comes total depravity, due to which man is no longer able to know what was good, pleasing and perfect. Good and evil becomes deceptively similar, as man disguises evil with apparent virtues.
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This article discusses Genesis Chapter 4, and explains two major themes. (1) The reason for the acceptability of Abel's offering, and (2) What the blood of Abel is speaking about. The New Testament talks about the blood of Christ as speaking a better word than that of Abel's. What does this mean?
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This article discusses Genesis 4:17 - 5:32. Within those chapters we are given what seems to be a rather tedious descriptions of the descendants of Cain and the descendants of Seth. What were its significances? And why does the Bible provide us with genealogies? How do we explore such genealogy and extract meaning the author intended?
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This article discusses the life of Noah, and especially how it should speak to those of us who are living in extremely challenging cultures. How did Noah (and comparably Lot) retain their faith despite living in cultures that were so wicked; and cultures which were eventually destroyed as judgment for their sins.
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This article discusses the lineage of Shem, Ham and Japheth, to the time of the Tower of Babel. It argues that in every culture, the influence of sin will be ever-prevalent that there will always be a descent into utter evil. But the grace of God will preserve a remnant that will be consecrated. This is a story of how God elects and preserves a people for Himself; which lineage will ultimately climax in Jesus Christ.
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This is the 1st part (of two) of the story of Abraham. The Bible stresses that we are descendants of Abraham because of our faith, which should hint at the significance of his life for us. The article shows that, as much as Abraham was a great man, God was the one who was at work in Abraham, initiating his faith and bringing it into maturity. Herein we look at the initial two stages of Abraham's faith.
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This article discusses Isaac, Jacob and the 12 patriarchs of the Israel nation. It is a story of God's plan and providence for the Israelite nation and how each of them were placed in God's trials and molding to become a nation that would bless the world. It focuses especially on how Isaac was pictured to be just like his father Abraham, and how Jacob - the unlikeliest choice for election - was God's chosen; describing Jacob's struggle in his life of faith. This was a story of how God's calling extended beyond one single family to one whole nation.
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This article discusses Joseph, how he was able to maintain his purity and faithfulness despite being betrayed numerous times, and undeservedly mistreated. It shows how Joseph brilliantly passed the test of suffering for which many of us would blame God. There was a twist of the story at the end, as the writer of Hebrews chose a very unlikely tribute to Joseph's faith; describing not only how he passed the test of suffering, but also the test of success.
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EXODUS
If any of us were to be put in Moses' shoes, I am sure we would experience severe depression. His whole life was divided into three stages of forty-year periods; and the glory of the first 40 was shattered by the second 40. And it was only in his shattered state that God called him in his last 40; only to be refused entry to Canaan. Nevertheless, Moses remained a faithful servant of God. The story of his life tells us a great deal about how ministry should be.
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The story of Pharaoh is disturbing to say the least; especially when looked at from the perspective of Romans 9. This article therefore explores the narrative and shows how God was justifiably wrathful at Egypt. It shows how the 10 plagues served to defeat the Egyptian pantheon of gods and how sinful the Egyptians were in their religious acts. False religions, done in resistance to truth, only serves as man's flight from the revelation of God.
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LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, DEUTERONOMY
(Power Point Slide Notes).
This presentation discusses the Continuity and Discontinuity of Old Testament Law. That is, whether the Old Testament Law still applies to us today. The central thesis is based on Christ's statement that the laws are FULFILLED, not ABOLISHED. In this understanding, although we are no longer bound by its codes, we are still to live in accordance to its fulfillment. |
Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy are where many Bible-readers falter. But these books present some important laws and principles which are pertinent to understanding subsequent biblical narratives. The central thesis of Leviticus is explained in this: That these are rules given to set Israel apart as a holy nation. They were to be ceremonially clean, and were to be preserved in purity, and were to observe certain festivals so that they could live under God's covenantal promises; which will ultimately be fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
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Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy are where many Bible-readers falter. But these books present some important laws and principles which are pertinent to understanding subsequent biblical narratives. Who were considered righteous, and why? Which king would be considered good, and which considered evil? All these questions are anchored on our understanding of the Torah - the first 5 books of the Bible.
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JOSHUA
Joshua succeeded Moses; but ruled differently from Moses. Moses spoke to God face to face, whereas Joshua must rule under the revealed Mosaic Law. But this does not make Joshua an inferior leader to Moses, but rather it spoke of the progress in the history of salvation, which would be accomplished in its fullness only by Jesus Christ alone. See how God, through Moses, had been preparing Joshua for succession very early.
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The Story of Rahab was indeed the story of faith in the unlikeliest place. She wasn't an Israelite, and wasn't an eyewitness to God's mighty works in Egypt. Yet, by listening, she believed, and chose to take shelter under the Almighty. This was in contrast to the generation of Israelite who perished in the wilderness for not believing, despite having seen. Her story, therefore, is exemplary of how we should live by faith, not by sight.
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JUDGES & RUTH
The Book of Judges is filled with disturbing stories. The lessons herein attempts to explain how the Book of Judges is to be read - especially in the context of declining morality. Some of the narratives, therefore, were intended to depict the depraved morality, and were meant to be narrative, not normative. The first lesson looks at the seed of the decline. Joshua's generation was generally faithful to God, but due to an understandable compromise, planted a seed for the subsequent decline in morality: A stern warning against the slightest and most innocent compromise.
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The Book of Judges can be divided into three sections to recognize its patterns. The "good judges," Othniel to Deborah, whose weaknesses were generally not mentioned. The questionable judge, Gideon; and the "bad" judges, Tola to Samson. The first lesson maps out each of these judges and the characteristics of each rule; and continues with the "good" judges. The common theme in the Book of Judges is this, "there was no king in Israel, and the people did as they saw right." It exposes self-righteousness as the seed for the vilest evil.
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The second part of the narrative of the Judges was the ambiguous judge, Gideon. Although he rightly refused to be made king, Gideon's subsequent actions were those of a monarch. And what can be more clear than naming his son "my father is king"? In Gideon's rule, we similarly see a turning point in the lives of the Israelites; as they began to get disunited in war, and as the leader began to be questionably self-serving.
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The third part of the narrative of the Judges depicted the "bad" or more accurately, compromised judges. They were becoming increasingly self-serving and even sinful. And when we get to the very last judge described therein, we hear of Samson, the infamous Hercules-like womanizer who was so self-serving and so vengeful, it was almost a question mark if he served God at all. Yet, these stories were descriptive of the decline of morality.
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The concluding part of the Book of Judges looked away from the Judges, and into the lives of the people. And herein, we are given two extremely disturbing stories which would include rape, homosexuality, mutilation, ethnic cleansing, civil war and many more. It will put Hollywood to shame, really. But at the end of the Book of Judges, the description had become eerily similar to Sodom and Gomorrah, it was only by God's providence and grace that they were spared. But these stories were to prepare us for the need of a righteous king of God's choosing.
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It's rather gloomy to end the series with the Book of Judges, so I include the Book of Ruth here. These books were placed in contrast to each other - as Ruth was also set in the time of the judges. But the Book of Ruth was a story of hope. Ruth, a Moabite, was an unlikely candidate for God's election. Yet, Ruth's character showed the Hesed (faithfulness) that was described in the Torah; thus presenting Ruth as more Israel than the Israelites themselves. The story showed Ruth and Boaz, as the grandparents of King David, as people who understood not only the content of the Law, but also its intent.
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1 & 2 SAMUEL
In days of the judges, when the word of the Lord was rare, God broke the silence and began to put things into new order, as he prepares Israel for a national leader. God did it first by installing Samuel as judge over all Israel as opposed to the territorial judges who previously ruled. God also began to severely punish the bad leaders, and He also punished those deeds done in self-righteousness. And finally, God defeated His enemies decisively. All of this in the first 7 chapters of 1 Samuel. And all was to prepare Israel for a king.
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The time had come when Israel demanded for a king. Saul, the first king, was a man after the people's heart. But God had planned for one other to have the lasting dynasty- David, a man after God's own heart. We shall see here the legendary story of David's battle with Goliath. But the same heroic David would later feigned insanity because of fear. Far from being a cliché story of extravagant victory of faith, the story of David is very much a realistic struggle before God. And being himself a shepherd, David identified God's own dealing with David as being shepherdly. This is a story of everyday struggle in a walk with God.
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Not long after his rejection, Saul began to show his true colors. He did whatever it took to stay on power. And he would be tempted again and again to attempt to murder David in order to usurp a power that was no longer rightfully his. We see in this narrative Saul's desperate hold on power, and his intent for self-glory becomes increasingly vivid in whatever he does. Saul was a king after the people's heart; and not a king after God's own heart.
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David ruled wisely. And as commanded by the Scriptures, he did not multiply horses or gold for himself. In chapters 5-10, David's rule seemed faultless, except for the seed of compromise which was not even narrated clearly - David multiplied wives! But chapters 5-10 showed the climax of David's rule; and at its very end, the writer narrated justice and mercy as the character of David's rule.
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Even the greatest men are susceptible to temptation. And David, at the height of his rule, made a grave error; one that would cause the very ruin of his own family. However, the greater story was perhaps that of David's repentance. As contrasted with Saul, who further rebelled against God's will; David accepted his punishment, but wished for a restored relationship with God. The story reveals David as who he was - a sinner merely redeemed by grace.
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Towards the end of David's rule, David felt insecure and he initiated an illegal census for which God would judge David. Read why the successful king would be so insecure; learn how David had to deal with both his failures, as well as the failures of the House of Saul; and how God was all along teaching David that success or failure was only to be judged on how faithful we have been in our ministry.
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1 & 2 KINGS
This article is handwritten. But because it was completed in that form, I don't foresee typing it out whilst there are so many articles left undone.
The Story of Solomon is typological of the very accomplishment of the kingdom of God, when God has given rest from all sides. We shall explore the illustrious meanings of Solomon's accomplishment; and then proceed to see his pride and downfall. In all finality, Solomon's kingdom cannot be the final climax, because this would only point to the work of Christ. |
NEW TESTAMENT
Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke)
The Parable of the Shrewd Steward (Luke 16:1-9) is a confusing one, as all of the characters featured therein were less than virtuous. What was the intended lesson we ought to extract from that parable, as intended by Christ?
The Parable of the Shrewd Steward warns God's people against an unproductive lives, and teaches that believers should be both intrinsically pure and extrinsically productive. Our calling to live as consecrated and holy people does not negate the calling to reach out to the depraved world and to bear fruit for God. |