As an introduction to this much neglected subject, John Mackay looks at what the Law in the Old Testament entails and how it should be as valued now. “The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.” (Psalm 119:72).
How does the coming of Christ and the completion of His work effect the relevance and function of the Law in the New Testament? This lecture, among other things, looks at how Jesus himself and the Apostle Paul regarded the Law.
As a conclusion to the series, John Mackay assesses the application of biblical law to politics today. At the end of the lecture Prof. Mackay answers of questions about the series as a whole.
Series: Christians and the Bible: trust and obey
Professor Mackay talks about how and why the 39 books of the Old Testament and 27 books of the New Testament are in our Bible today. Including why certain books, such as those in the Apocrypha, should not be regarded as the Word of God.
Series: Christians and the Bible: trust and obey
How similar is the text we read in our Bibles to that of the original documents? Which of the many available ‘texts’ should Bibles be translated from, and how should they be translated? John Mackay carefully answers these important questions.
Series: Christians and the Bible: trust and obey
Hermeneutics is concerned with how we read and understand the Bible. In the last lecture of the series, Professor Mackay challenges us to be objective in our interpretation of scripture.
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)”By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” (Hebrews 11:3)
“I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.” (Genesis 17:7)”Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.” (Hebrews 7:22)
“With my great power and outstretched arm I made the earth and its people and the animals that are on it, and I give it to anyone I please.” (Jeremiah 27:5)”His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No-one can hold back his hand or say to him: ‘What have you done?’” (Daniel 4:34-35)
“I will also appoint him my first-born, the most exalted of the kings of the earth. I will maintain my love to him for ever, and my covenant with him will never fail.” (Psalm 89:27-28)”He will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne. And he will be a priest on his throne. And there will be harmony between the two.” (Zechariah 6:13)
“Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the praise of Israel.” (Psalm 22:3)”Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.” (Psalm 150:6)
Series: Knowing God
“… in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)”May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2 Corinthians 13:14)
Series: Knowing God
“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1:15-16)”You alone are holy.” (Revelation 15:4)
Series: Knowing God
“God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords.” (1 Timothy 6:15)”To the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and for evermore!” (Jude 1:25)
Series: Knowing God
“Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.” (Psalm 100:3)”And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
Series: Knowing God
“To the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” (Ephesians 1:6)”This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” (1 John 4:9)
Series: Christian influence in a secular world
If we are to be bold in standing for Christian truth, especially under pressure, it is vital that we are convinced that the Bible is true and without error in all that it affirms. This includes the Bible’s teaching on science, history and morality as well as theology.
Series: Christian influence in a secular world
Men and women, made in the image of God, were created to work. We should therefore view our work, whatever type of work it is, as a means by which we can serve and glorify God.
Man as steward, entrusted with dominion over all the earth, is the subject of this lecture.
The Ten Commandments are more neglected in our country today than they have been for centuries. Does the Bible teach that The Ten Commandments are true and lasting – for all people in every society?
If love is the fulfulment of the law, then do Christians still need the law? If we should obey God’s law, which laws in the Old Testament are still binding on Christians?
The coming of the Messianic King is clearly promised in the Old Testament. Not least in the book of Isaiah – a Messiah bearing the title “the mighty God”, ruling on the throne of David. Does our view of Christ line up with his kingship?
“Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer” (Isaiah 53). The Son of God came to reclaim ruined sinners by taking on the nature of a servant and becoming obedient to death. Are we ready to take up our cross daily and follow him?
We have available to us the inerrant, authoritative and complete Word of God, so of what benefit to us are church creeds? Many battles against error have been fought down through the ages of church history. These battles have often been resolved by the drawing up of statements of sound doctrine. But how should we approach and value these ancient creeds in the modern world, especially in relation to Scripture?
How is the Lord Jesus fully God and fully man? This controversy raged in the 5th Century and was answered at the Council of Chalcedon by addressing the two natures of Christ. His deity and humanity were declared to exist “without confusion, without change, without division, without separation”.This not only helps us in our thinking about Christ but should also elevate our understanding of what it means to be human and teach us how we should live out our lives in the world.
Series: A better covenant
This lecture covers the theme of divine immanence in creation, relating it to Eden, the land promised in the Old Testament, the city of Jerusalem, the Tabernacle and the Temple, and how all these move forward to culminate in Christ.The lecture helps to provide an understanding of how God dwells with his people, and the work of the Holy Spirit. It also sheds light on contemporary issues such as the health and wealth gospel.
Series: First and Last Things
God’s great rescue plan of salvation will lead to the redemption of His people and the restoration of creation itself. What God established in creation is now marred by the fall. But God’s ultimate purpose cannot be thwarted. There will be ultimate fulfilment of all things in the New Heavens and New Earth. This has profound implications for how we live today.