How is it at all possible to project an image of being narrow-minded and judgemental and, at the same time, imagine that you can be an effective witness for Jesus Christ? The teaching of Jesus Christ unambiguously rejects such aberrations and, by definition, His Gospel of Grace renders them inadmissible. This is the paradox which Derek van Rensburg sees at the heart of the very conservative brand of Evangelicalism which has been his spiritual home for more than half a century. In order to facilitate affordable Bible studies, Van Rensburg has, over many years, compiled his own notes for distribution among the participants in his study sessions. Among others, wife Wendy has encouraged him to publish these notes and a selection of these comprise this book which he has entitled ALL THINGS TO ALL MEN in the spirit of the Apostle Paul. This title, taken from First Corinthians 9:22, is an expression of Van Rensburgs conviction that the Gospel of Gods Grace through Jesus Christ has often been hamstrung by a variety of anathemas and exclusivities. While this Gospel is so central to the conservative Evangelical Christian tradition to which he belongs, he identifies typical negative trends in this tradition which compromise the Gospel. A Christianity obsessed with anathemas is hardly a vehicle for the effective communication of Gods Grace to a hurting and broken world. By contrast, he notes the transformation of the pharisaically obsessed Saul of Tarsus into the Gospel-obsessed Apostle Paul. Coming from the one-time compulsive persecutor of the early church, with all his pharisaical hang-ups, the following quotation from First Corinthians 9:19-23 expresses a radical conversion-transformation. It also constitutes the Christ-like communication of the Gospel of Grace to a Christless world. Paul said: Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from Gods law but am under Christs law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings. How different that is to a very great deal of the conservative evangelicalism the author has known for many, many years. If evangelism really is fundamental to evangelicalism then the evangelical exclusivists among them need to take a good hard look at 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. This book, ALL THINGS TO ALL MEN is in two parts. Part One is comprised of six essays expressing the authors views on some contentious topics germane to the above-mentioned paradox. These essays are entitled: 1. Standpoint 2.I believe the Bible 3. In the beginning God created and Christians 4. Difficult Old Testament passages 5. The Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15) 6. Christian Inconsistency Part One is fairly polemical and should, accordingly, stimulate discussion on that level. Part Two consists of seven Bible studies in which the authors orthodox Evangelical theological grounding is very evident. He is committed to this theology but is convinced that certain important aspects of it are often misrepresented in the habits and practices of Christians and institutions associated with it. This conviction prompts the occasional searching question among more regular questions constituting the general method of thes

The task of the church, no matter what tradition or history, is to live incarnationally. It is the model of service that Christ exhibited and calls us to follow. One thing is clear: If the church's structure and practice is intended by God to be a means to redemptive ends, then the church today must change. The degree and pace of change dependupon each individual situation and its variables. But the necessity for change will not change.

These study guides, part of a set from noted Bible scholar, John MacArthur, take readers on a journey through biblical texts to discover what lies beneath the surface, focusing on meaning and context, and then reflecting on the explored passage or concept. With probing questions that guide the reader toward application, as well as ample space for journaling, The The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series are invaluable tools for Bible students of all ages. This work on First Corinthians is part of a New Testament commentary series which has as its objective explaining and applying Scripture, focusing on the major doctrines and how they relate to the whole of the Bible.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Who is Jesus Christ? You've never met Him in person, and you don't know anyone who has. But there is a way to know who he is. How? Jesus Christ - the divine Person revealed in the Bible - has a unique excellence and a spiritual beauty that speaks directly to our souls and says, "Yes, this is truth." It's like seeing the sun and knowing that it is light, or tasting honey and knowing that it is sweet. The depth and complexity of Jesus shatter our simple mental frameworks. He baffled proud scribes with his wisdom but was understood and loved by children. He calmed a raging storm with a word but would not get himself down from the cross. Look at the Jesus of the Bible. Keep your eyes open, and fill them with the portrait of Jesus in God's Word. Jesus said, "If anyone's will is to do God's will, He will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority." Ask God for the grace to do His will, and you will see the truth of His Son. John Piper has written this book in the hope that all will see Jesus for who he really is and will come to enjoy him above all else.

Rick Renner unearths a rich treasure trove of truths in his remarkable devotional. Drawing from an extensive study of both the English Bible and New Testament Greek, Rick illuminates 365 passages with more than 1,285 in-depth Greek word studies. Far from intellectualizing, he blends his solid instruction with practical applications and refreshing insights. Find challenge, reassurance, comfort, and reminders of God's abiding love and healing every day of the year.

How is it at all possible to project an image of being narrow-minded and judgemental and, at the same time, imagine that you can be an effective witness for Jesus Christ? The teaching of Jesus Christ unambiguously rejects such aberrations and, by definition, His Gospel of Grace renders them inadmissible. This is the paradox which Derek van Rensburg sees at the heart of the very conservative brand of Evangelicalism which has been his spiritual home for more than half a century. In order to facilitate affordable Bible studies, Van Rensburg has, over many years, compiled his own notes for distribution among the participants in his study sessions. Among others, wife Wendy has encouraged him to publish these notes and a selection of these comprise this book which he has entitled "ALL THINGS TO ALL MEN" in the spirit of the Apostle Paul. This title, taken from First Corinthians 9:22, is an expression of Van Rensburg's conviction that the Gospel of God's Grace through Jesus Christ has often been hamstrung by a variety of anathemas and exclusivities. While this Gospel is so central to the conservative Evangelical Christian tradition to which he belongs, he identifies typical negative trends in this tradition which compromise the Gospel. A Christianity obsessed with anathemas is hardly a vehicle for the effective communication of God's Grace to a hurting and broken world. By contrast, he notes the transformation of the pharisaically obsessed Saul of Tarsus into the Gospel-obsessed Apostle Paul. Coming from the one-time compulsive persecutor of the early church, with all his pharisaical hang-ups, the following quotation from First Corinthians 9:19-23 expresses a radical conversion-transformation. It also constitutes the Christ-like communication of the Gospel of Grace to a Christless world. Paul said: "Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings." How different that is to a very great deal of the conservative evangelicalism the author has known for many, many years. If evangelism really is fundamental to evangelicalism then the evangelical exclusivists among them need to take a good hard look at 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. This book, "ALL THINGS TO ALL MEN" is in two parts. Part One is comprised of six essays expressing the author's views on some contentious topics germane to the above-mentioned paradox. These essays are entitled: 1. Standpoint 2."I believe the Bible" 3. "In the beginning God created" and Christians 4. Difficult Old Testament passages 5. The Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15) 6. Christian Inconsistency Part One is fairly polemical and should, accordingly, stimulate discussion on that level. Part Two consists of seven Bible studies in which the author's orthodox Evangelical theological grounding is very evident. He is committed to this theology but is convinced that certain important aspects of it are often misrepresented in the habits and practices of Christians and institutions associated with it. This conviction prompts the occasional searching question among more regular questions constituting the general method of thes