james orr

GOD, THE ULTIMATE MALE

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God2“God the Father”

GOD is the ultimate male the Bible uses the terms  “he” or “him” to refer to God. God is NOT seen in terms of female at any time and there is no generic Deity as well.  This idea was not the invention of man, nor a preferred translation, it is a revelation of God.

I read that the word Father is from the Greek root Pater (where we get the word patriarchal) which means one who supports, nourishes and protects. In God’s created order, the father is the head of the household and demonstrates a likeness to that of God the Father over his creation and love for his family. When it comes to salvation everyone is equal male and female but this structure has not changed and the patriarchal template cannot be distorted by liberal theology. It is a great infidelity and heresy to call God “mother” or “goddess.”

God the first person of the Trinity was always the Father. In the accounts of Jesus Christ in the gospels God is seen as the Eternal Father, first person of the Trinity.  James Orr says,

“To reach the heart of the truth of the Divine Fatherhood it is necessary to begin, not with man, but with the Godhead itself, in whose eternal depths is found the spring of that Fatherly love that reveals itself in time. It is first of all in relation to the eternal Son-before all time-that the meaning of Fatherhood in God is made clear (John 1:18).”

He is Father to the world like an inventor only in a way where he made all things out of nothing. But think of this: it was through the eternal Son of God, that God secured our souls salvation and changed our status from illegal aliens to dearly loved family.  

We should ask, “Did God have to have us as children to be called “Father”? Is it because he is the Creator and cares for all his creation?”

The answer is a definite, “No.”

It is because He has always had a Son, Jesus, the eternal Son of God. This is the beauty of the Trinity. He is the Eternal, Heavenly Father. Christ offers us through his blood, the status and relationship he enjoyed with God before the universe began.

I must say that although is through Christ as a mediator we have been brought into relationship with God, the Father has always loved us with the love he has for his Son in his sovereignty and good pleasure (Eph. 1:4).  Jesus says now, “The Father himself loves you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God.” (John 16:27).

© 2013 Soul Health Care Ministries. If you use this article tell people about us and where you found it. Don’t plagiarize.

I BELIEVE

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NiceneWordle“I BELIEVE” is more like a stated opinion than an admission of what a person considers to be truth these days.

Pluralism teaches that there can be more than two kinds of ultimate realities. Christianity takes an exclusive position on  truth not such a silly outlook on life.

There is only one God and one truth.

We live in a day where it seems everyone is entitled to their opinion but where no one knows what is right from wrong.

On the other hand we have entire groups who base their fellowship on what that group believes-but they are usually side issues-they are marginal not cardinal.  Groups for years have taken sections of the Bible where they attempt to make a distinctive of one doctrine: prophecy, worship styles, dress codes, baptism in water or the baptism in the Spirit and even diet. I do not mean to be uncharitable, but in most of those instances they make other Christians either sub-Christian or refuse to call them Christians at all.

That is why I espouse to the apostles creed. It helps me avoidsconfusion and produces a unity based on scripture rather than just warm, cuddly feelings.

“The oldest usage of the term “Rule of Faith” (regula fidei), now commonly given to the Scriptures, has reference to this creed.” (James Orr).

I base my fellowship with other Christians on the Apostles Creed. The Apostles Creed teaches what Christians everywhere no matter their denomination should believe or accept as true. These are truths at the heart of the Christian faith. This way I do not compromise the scriptures and do not fellowship at the lowest common denominator. Dodd comments,

“The Apostles’ Creed is a declaration of things which are most surely believed among us, and its several parts or articles are founded upon the contents of Scripture, which is our one rule of faith. It does not begin with the words I think or I know, but with the statement “I believe.”  “Belief” is used in various senses, but here it means the assent of the mind and heart to the doctrines expressed in the Creed. When we repeat the form we declare that we accept and adopt all the statements which it covers.”

What do you believe?

You say, I believe in God.”

I believe in “The Bible.

Or you say, ” In Jesus.”

But which God are you referring to? What is the Bible and what does it teach and what does it say about Jesus?

The Apostles Creed has the basic summary for all Christians to accept as truth.

© 2013 Soul Health Care Ministries. If you use this article tell people about us and where you found it. Don’t plagiarize.