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.