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.