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.