LHIM Classes

Living Hope International Ministries
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Biblical education classes (BEC) by the team at Living Hope International Ministries (LHIM) are designed to provide you with comprehensible and comprehensive learning experience for books of the Bible, doctrines, and Christian living.

  1. 21H AGO

    11. Systematic Theology and Biblical Coherence

    Download: Restoration Theology Student Notes Recap from Biblical Theology Biblical theology highlights differences, developments, and author-specific emphases. Systematic theology seeks unity/coherence across all books. Quote (Köstenberger & Goswell): Bible’s unity grounded in God’s unity; diversity from time, genre, authors, circumstances. Defining Systematic Theology Wayne Grudem: “Any study that answers, ‘What does the whole Bible teach us today?’ about any topic.” Summarizes Scripture in brief, clear, carefully formulated statements. Focuses on present-day understanding for Christians. May use terms/concepts not in single author but from combining teachings. Key Assumptions of Systematic Theology God inspired authors so Bible reflects what He wanted (no coercion). Coherence exists: One divine mind behind Scripture → consistent thought. Possible to identify “final form” (mature teaching) by considering all verses. Progressive revelation means later texts clarify earlier (development allowed). Bible shapes our thinking/categories (not vice versa). Why Do Systematic Theology? Organizes jumbled ideas into shelves (categories). Helps detect contradictions or gaps. Standard categories (traditional 8–10 volumes): Bibliology (Bible) Theology proper (God) Angelology/demonology Anthropology (humans) Hamartiology (sin) Christology Pneumatology (Spirit) Soteriology (salvation) Ecclesiology (church) Eschatology (end times) Bible Is Organic, Not Systematic Scripture grows naturally (like a tree), not in neat textbook chapters. Our categories are helpful tools, not perfect boxes. Rule: If forced to shoehorn Bible into doctrine OR accept less precision, choose Bible. Never change Scripture to fit beliefs; change beliefs to fit Scripture. Practical Value First learned categories → organized chaotic ideas. Allows deeper thinking on topics. Reminds us doctrines approximate God’s mind; stay humble. Conclusion: Systematic theology synthesizes whole Bible for coherence. The post 11. Systematic Theology and Biblical Coherence first appeared on Living Hope.

    34 min

  2. FEB 13

    10. Biblical Theology and Progressive Revelation

    Download: Restoration Theology Student Notes Introduction to Theology Series This begins a 5-part theology section (5th floor of the tower). Theology = discourse about God (θεος + λογος); broadly any Christian belief/doctrine. Preliminaries before doing theology Pray for help/illumination from the Spirit. Be willing to change beliefs if Bible evidence is strong. Truth has nothing to fear; hold beliefs loosely. Never force Bible to fit your theology (example: never alter 1 John 5:7). Better to live with uncertainty than adopt a flawed position. Defining Biblical Theology Bible is not flat/one-time revelation (unlike Koran or single-lifetime texts). Written over ~2,000 years; God progressively revealed Himself and His story. Biblical theology studies both what Bible teaches and how teaching develops over time. Key quote (Michael Lawrence): Bible reveals progressively; biblical theology traces developments in redemptive history. Highlights diversity among authors (different focuses, emphases, vocabularies). Two main ways to do it: Study theology of one book/author. Trace major themes across whole Bible (e.g., kingdom, covenant, sin, redemption). Progressive Revelation Explained God reveals more and more over time (e.g., OT shadows → NT fulfillment in Christ). Not contradiction, but development and maturity. Must read earlier texts in light of later revelation (final form matters). Major Example: Kingdom of God Begins in Eden (perfect rule). Lost through sin. Abrahamic promise: land, descendants, blessing. Mosaic covenant: Israel as kingdom of priests. Davidic covenant: eternal king. Prophets: future restoration. Jesus announces kingdom arrived (Mark 1:15); demonstrates it with miracles. Cross/resurrection: victory over sin/death. Church: partial presence now. Future: full consummation in renewed world Major Example: Abrahamic Covenant Promises: land, many descendants, blessing to nations (Gen 12, 15, 17). Initial fulfillment: Joshua conquers Canaan. Exile disrupts; return partial. NT: Jesus as Abraham’s seed; Gentiles blessed/grafted in (Gal 3, Rom 4). Land promise expands to whole world (Rom 4:13). Future: immense multitude inherits earth forever. Purpose of Biblical Theology Understand Bible on its own terms before systematizing. Topical/thematic grouping stays close to biblical language and history. Quote (Köstenberger & Goswell): Synthesize within original settings; systematic theology goes broader/conceptual. Conclusion: Biblical theology respects development and diversity within unity. The post 10. Biblical Theology and Progressive Revelation first appeared on Living Hope.

    34 min

  3. FEB 12

    9. Applying Scripture in Your Context

    Download: Restoration Theology Student Notes Humility in Application Be willing to change; Bible critiques us. Rules: Text can’t mean what it never meant; same particulars = same application. Application can’t contradict NT elsewhere. Avoid extremes (over/underspiritualize). Application Process Bridge gap: Comparable particulars vs. cultural customs (e.g., holy kiss = handshake). Specific to general principles. Problems Particularizing: Over-apply specifics. Generalizing: Ignore details. Misgrouping: Too few/many texts, wrong combos. Questions If people switched to this doctrine/practice how would it affect their lives? If a church switched to this doctrine/practice how would they implement it? If a group of churches switched to this doctrine/practice, what would the implications be? Are there any challenges with getting along with other Christians, the government, or other institutions? Revise the doctrine/practice accordingly The post 9. Applying Scripture in Your Context first appeared on Living Hope.

    38 min

  4. FEB 6

    8. Interpreting Scripture in Its Historical Context

    Download: Restoration Theology Student Notes Two Steps of Interpretation What it meant to them (historical context). What it means today (application, next lecture). Example: Rom 13:7 (pay taxes) – under Nero’s tyranny. Avoid Time Problems Anachronism: Reading modern ideas back (e.g., Adam’s computer). Metachronism: Assuming ancients were primitive. Historical Context Tools Date book/author. Research events (e.g., Nero’s reign). Cultural insights: Honor/shame, patron-client. Resources Bible dictionaries, encyclopedias. Ancient literature: Josephus, Mishnah. Archaeology: Ur, Jericho walls. Epigraphy: Sennacherib Prism. Geography: Visit Holy Land. The post 8. Interpreting Scripture in Its Historical Context first appeared on Living Hope.

    29 min

  5. FEB 5

    7. Interpreting Scripture in Its Literary Context

    Download: Restoration Theology Student Notes Hermeneutics Overview Rules for exegesis (explaining text). Approaches: Devotional (personal), allegorical (hidden), historical-critical (skeptical), postmodern (perspective-based), grammatical-historical (authorial intent). We’ll be using the grammatical-historical hermeneutic: understand original meaning 7 Steps for Interpretation Pray for illumination. Determine genre (narrative, poetry, etc.). Establish text (variants/translations). Study text: Words, grammar, structure. Explore larger context: Paragraphs, shifts, chiasm, inclusio. Book as whole: Author, audience, occasion, purpose, mode. Biblical intertextuality: Quotes, allusions, related books. Conclusion: Restorationists seek authorial intent. The post 7. Interpreting Scripture in Its Literary Context first appeared on Living Hope.

    38 min

  6. JAN 31

    6. Bible Translation and Detecting Bias

    Download: Restoration Theology Student Notes Challenges of Translation “Translator, traitor”: Lose/add meaning. Every translation is commentary English groove from 500 years – hard to break traditions. Process of Translation Critical texts: BHS (OT), NA/UBS (NT). Formal equivalence: Literal, word-for-word (e.g., NASB). Dynamic: Thought-for-thought, readable (e.g., NIV). Review: Committees avoid controversy. Dangers Individual: Bias unchecked. Committee: Business-driven, audience-specific. Detecting Bias Types: Evangelical (e.g., NIV adds “Son of God” in Mark 1:1). Mainline: Less bias (e.g., NRSV). Catholic: NABRE Jewish: OT focus (e.g., JPS). Unitarian: Removes Trinitarian bias (e.g., REV). Examples: Rom 9:5 (Christ as God? Ambiguous). Conclusion : Compare translations; learn languages if possible. The post 6. Bible Translation and Detecting Bias first appeared on Living Hope.

    15 min

  7. JAN 29

    5. Old Testament Manuscripts and Textual Criticism

    Download: Restoration Theology Student Notes Introduction Different story from NT; 3 parts: Manuscripts, criticism, examples. 3 families: Masoretic Text (MT), Samaritan Pentateuch (SP), Septuagint (LXX). Oldest Scrolls Silver Scrolls (7th c. BC): Numbers 6:24-26 blessing. Nash Papyrus (2nd c. BC): Ten Commandments + Shema. Masoretic Text (MT) 7th-10th c. AD; standardized Hebrew with vowels. Leningrad Codex (1008 AD); basis for BHS. Samaritan Pentateuch (SP) Samaritan version of Torah; 2nd c. BC mss. 6,000 variants from MT; some ideological. Septuagint (LXX) Greek translation (3rd-2nd c. BC) Early mss.: Codex Vaticanus, Sinaiticus. Dead Sea Scrolls (DSS, 1947) 250 BC-68 AD; every OT book except Esther. Confirm MT stability; some variants. Textual Criticism Rules: Shorter readings, harmonizations suspect. Examples: Deut 32:8 (sons of God), Psalm 22:16 (pierced hands). The post 5. Old Testament Manuscripts and Textual Criticism first appeared on Living Hope.

    50 min

  8. JAN 24

    4. New Testament Manuscripts and Textual Criticism

    Download: Restoration Theology Student Notes Tower Analogy Bible as foundation; manuscripts (mss.) copied by hand, with errors. Compare mss. for original readings; critical text in Greek. Focus: NT (OT next). History of NT Texts Byzantine texts: Majority (90% of mss.), used in East. Latin Vulgate (Jerome, 382 AD): Based on Byzantine. Renaissance: Return to originals; Valla exposed forgeries. Reformation: Erasmus’s Greek NT (1516) – Textus Receptus. 18th-19th c.: Bentley– critical editions. Discoveries: Codex Sinaiticus (1844), over 5,800 mss. now. Textual Criticism Compare variants; rules: Older mss. better, shorter/difficult readings preferred. Tools: TCGNT, NET Bible, AI for variants. Examples of Variants 1 John 5:7: Trinity comma – late addition. Conclusion : 29 editions of Greek NT; exciting time. The post 4. New Testament Manuscripts and Textual Criticism first appeared on Living Hope.

    41 min
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Biblical education classes (BEC) by the team at Living Hope International Ministries (LHIM) are designed to provide you with comprehensible and comprehensive learning experience for books of the Bible, doctrines, and Christian living.

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  • Creator
    Living Hope International Ministries
  • Years Active
    2012 - 2026
  • Episodes
    499
  • Rating
    Clean
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    © 2022 LHIM
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