22 Summary

The final lesson of the Metanarrative of Redemption has been completed. The essential elements of the course were reviewed in an interactive classroom setting. Because of this the audio has not been posted, but the seven page lecture notes are available as usual via the course link in the upper right column of this webpage.

If you have been following along with the entire course, look at the lecture notes and see if you understand the main points stated in brief form for each of the lessons.

In addition, I've listed some suggested further reading, as well as a brief Gospel summary that includes a few of the elements that were highlighted in this metanarrative course.

21 The Apostolic Gospel

Lesson 21 of the Metanarrative of Redemption focuses on the content of the Gospel preached by the apostles as recorded in the Book of Acts. This New Testament book records the message that was specifically communicated to non-Christians. An analysis of this content is a window to the core message preached by the church in the first century. Significantly, there are differences between the content of this apostolic Gospel and the Gospel that is popularly preached today in many places.

Audio and lecture notes are available via the course link in the upper right column on this webpage.

20 The Church's Mission

Lesson 20 of the Metanarrative of Redemption focuses on the mission of the church in the light of the church's hope and identity, all of which are framed by God's plan of redemption for humanity and this world. Consideration is given to what it means for the church to be both a sign and a sacrament of the coming fulness of the kingdom of God to be realized at the bodily return of the Lord Jesus Christ to the earth.

Audio and lecture notes are available via the course link in the upper right column of this page.

19 The Church's Identity

Lesson 19 of the Metanarrative of Redemption focuses on four major images used in the New Testament with regard to the church's identity, all of which are connected with Jesus. After briefly considering the nature of analogical language used in the Bible, the four images are addressed: the body of Christ, the temple of God, the bride of Christ, and the "true" Israel.

Audio and lecture notes are available via the course link in the upper right column of this page.

18 The Church's Hope

Lesson 18 of the Metanarrative of Redemption reflects upon the central hope of the New Testament, which is the return of Jesus, the resurrection, the renewal of creation, and other related themes. In addition, various biblical texts which have at times been misunderstood by some to emphasize an eternal destiny in heaven (without regard to the renewal of the earth) are considered more carefully in their context.

Audio and lecture notes are available through the course link located in the upper right column of this page.

17 Jesus' Return

The seventeenth lesson of the Metanarrative of Redemption focuses on the return of Jesus Christ to the earth. The lesson considers the three major views regarding the fulfillment of the various Messianic promises of the Old Testament and the eschatological promises of the New Testament. These are presented as one-, two-, and three-stage fulfillment processes, corresponding to first century Judaism, post-Constantine Christianity, and the classic chiliasm of the second century church.

Audio and lecture notes are available via the course link in the upper right column of this page.

16 Jesus Messiah - II

The sixteenth lesson of the Metanarrative of Redemption focuses on Jesus as the Suffering Servant of Yahweh found in Isaiah. In connection with the themes covered in the prior lesson, Jesus is then viewed as the qualified initiator of a new covenant. Finally, the eschatological framework of the New Testament is considered in light of the Messianic expectations from the Old Testament which were not fulfilled in Jesus' first coming.

Audio and lecture notes are available via the course link in the upper right column of this page.

15 Jesus Messiah - I

The fifteenth lesson of the Metanarrative of Redemption looks at Jesus as the embodiment of the true Israel and of true humanity. As true Israel, Jesus' life broadly parallels Israel's historic experiences. He also fulfills through obedience the requirements of the Law and the Prophets. Consequently, all of God's promises to Israel are "yes" in him. Furthermore, this helps explain the New Testament authors' attribution to Jesus Old Testament passages, which at first glance appear to have little to do with him.

As true humanity Jesus is understood as having succeeded where Adam failed, and so he is considered the last Adam or second Man. Iranaeus' doctrine of recapitulation is briefly considered in conjunction with this theme.

Audio and lecture notes are available through the course link in the upper right column of this page.

14 Messianic Expectations

Lesson 14 of the course, The Metanarrative of Redemption, gives attention to the Messianic expectations that had arisen among the Jewish people of the first century A.D. Time is given to consider the corporate historical experiences of the nation of Israel which gave shape to the development of their Messianic expectations. Attention is then given to the constellation of beliefs concerning God's promises of restoration and redemption based on the Old Testament enscripturated prophets.

Audio and lecture notes can be accessed via the course link located in the upper right column of this webpage.

13 Prophets: Restoration

Lesson 13 of the Metanarrative of Redemption course focuses on the theme of restoration found in the enscripturated prophets of the Old Testament. The historical context of exile and the hope of return to the Promised Land and of rebuilding the nation and temple is the immediate impetus which informs this theme of restoration. Three major categories encompass the majority of the prophetic promises concerning restoration: 1) God will restore the nation, 2) God will renew his people (including their worship), 3) God will rule the nations. This theme of restoration is ultimately understood in the light of the Messiah.

Audio and lecture notes are available through the course link in the upper right column of the webpage.

12 Prophets: Enforcement

Lesson 12 of the Metanarrative of Redemption course focuses on the nature and function of the enscripturated prophets of the Old Testament. After considering their historical context, attention is given to their function as Mosaic Covenant enforcement mediators and the three primary emphases which were addressed in their writings. These involve the themes of blessing, judgment, and restoration.

Audio and lecture notes are available through the course link in the upper right column of this page.

11 Solomon and the Temple

The eleventh lesson of the Metanarrative of Redemption considers the reign of Solomon as prophetically typological of the consummated reign of the Messiah. The Temple is also considered as both an echo of Eden and a foreshadowing of the future New Jerusalem, which together point to the entire earth being filled with the glory of God's manifest presence. Although both Solomon and the Temple are located within the context of the Old Testament paradigm, they nevertheless constitute an important link in the unfolding of God's mission of redemption, pointing to the fulness of the age to come when Christ returns to earth.

Audio and lecture notes may be accessed via the course link in the upper right column of this webpage.

10 Davidic Covenant

The tenth lesson of the Metanarrative of Redemption focuses David as the idealized king of Israel, who, being associated with the presence and reign of God, serves as a prophetic type of a future Messianic king descended from David's line. Consideration is also given to the inception of the monarchy in Israel's history.

Audio and notes can be accessed via the course link in the upper right column of this webpage.

09 Review

The ninth lesson of the Metanarrative of Redemption provides an overview of the material covered in the first eight lessons. No audio recording was made.

Lecture notes can be accessed via the course link in the upper right column of this webpage.