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July 10, 2026

Supersessionism

Filed under: Bible Studies,New Testament,Old and New Testament — Adam Osborne @ 5:23 am

A summary of what one protestant “Traditional” Christian (non-Calvinistic / non-Reformed Theology) said about Supersessionism.

The short answer is:

God is not finished with ethnic Israel.

That is one of the major themes of his interpretation of Romans 9–11, and it is one of the places where he intentionally differs from many covenant/Reformed interpretations.

Main Thesis

The author argues that:

Romans 9–11 is primarily about God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises to Israel.

Many Reformed commentators tend to read Romans 9 as primarily teaching individual election unto salvation.

The author says Paul’s larger question is different.

Paul is asking:

Has God’s Word failed because so many Jews rejected Christ?

Paul answers:

Absolutely not.

That answer governs all three chapters.

Romans 9

Paul begins with deep sorrow for Israel.

“I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart…” (Romans 9:2)

The author observes something important.

Paul isn’t writing an abstract theology of predestination.

He’s grieving over:

Israel.

The chapter is about:

God’s covenant people
God’s promises
God’s sovereign freedom to accomplish His redemptive purposes

The author argues that the election language here is often corporate and historical, not simply individual and eternal.

Romans 10

Paul then says:

“My heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.”

Notice something.

Paul is praying for Israel’s salvation.

The author points out:

If Israel had been permanently rejected,

why would Paul pray this?

Romans 10 emphasizes:

Israel’s unbelief
Human responsibility
The necessity of faith
The universal offer of the gospel

Paul repeatedly says:

People are saved by believing in Christ.

That includes Jews.

That includes Gentiles.

Romans 11

This is where he believes the strongest evidence appears.

Paul begins:

“Has God rejected His people? By no means!”

The author says this verse should control everything that follows.

Paul’s answer is not:

“Yes, Israel has been replaced.”

It is:

“Absolutely not.”

The Olive Tree

Paul describes:

Natural branches (Israel)
Wild branches (Gentiles)

Some Jewish branches were broken off because of unbelief.

Gentiles were grafted in by faith.

Then Paul says:

“If they do not continue in unbelief, they will be grafted in again.”

The author understands this as referring to ethnic Israel.

Romans 11:25–26

This is probably the most important passage.

Paul writes:

“A partial hardening has come upon Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved…”

The author understands this to mean:

Israel’s hardening is:

✔ Partial

✔ Temporary

✔ Followed by a future salvation of Israel.

Romans 11:28–29

Paul continues:

“As regards the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but as regards election they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”

The author places enormous importance on this passage.

He argues:

God’s covenant promises to Abraham,

Isaac, Jacob, and David have not been cancelled.

God keeps His promises.

Does the author teach two ways of salvation?

Absolutely not.

This is very important.

The author does not believe Jews are saved apart from Christ.

He believes:

Every person—

Jew or Gentile—

must come to Christ through faith.

Romans 10 makes that abundantly clear.

There is one gospel.

One Savior.

One way of salvation.

What future does the author expect?

He believes something like this:

At some point in God’s future plan, there will be:

a large-scale turning of ethnic Israel to Christ,
fulfilling Paul’s words in Romans 11,
demonstrating God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises.

This future restoration does not mean Israel earns salvation apart from faith.

Rather, it means God will graciously bring many Jewish people to faith in their Messiah.

Why the author rejects Supersessionism

He believes Supersessionism creates a problem.

If Israel has been permanently replaced,

what do we do with verses like:

“The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”

Or:

“Has God rejected His people? By no means!”

The author argues these statements should be taken at face value.

God remains faithful to Israel even after centuries of unbelief.

From his perspective:

Romans 11 is Paul’s answer to the question:

“Has God abandoned Israel?”

His answer is:

No.

Israel’s rejection is:

Temporary.

Partial.

Not final.

God’s covenant faithfulness guarantees a future restoration.

Strengths
He keeps Romans 9–11 together as one sustained argument rather than isolating chapter 9.
He takes Paul’s repeated references to ethnic Israel seriously.
He gives appropriate weight to the temporal language—”partial hardening,” “until,” and “grafted in again.”
He emphasizes God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises while maintaining that salvation is through Christ alone.
He argues that God has one plan of salvation through Jesus Christ for both Jews and Gentiles, while also maintaining that God’s covenant promises to ethnic Israel have not been revoked and that Romans 11 anticipates a future work of God among the Jewish people.

Contact Adam
07/10/26

February 2, 2026

U.S. Founding Fathers

Filed under: Old and New Testament — Adam Osborne @ 10:10 am

George Washington

“It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.”
Attributed in multiple 19th-century collections; often cited by early biographers.

“The Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man.”
From a handwritten inscription in a Bible Washington donated.

John Adams

“The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity.”
Letter to Thomas Jefferson, June 28, 1813

“Suppose a nation in some distant region should take the Bible for their only law book…”
Diary, Feb. 22, 1756
(Adams argued that such a nation would produce admirable citizens.)

“The Bible contains the most profound philosophy, the most perfect morality, and the most refined policy.”
Diary and Autobiography

Samuel Adams

“The Holy Scriptures are to be the sure guide to all our actions.”
Speech, 1772

“I rely upon the merits of Jesus Christ for a pardon of all my sins.”
Last Will and Testament

Thomas Jefferson

(Jefferson is often misunderstood—he rejected miracles but deeply valued biblical ethics.)

“The Bible is the cornerstone of liberty.”
Letter to Charles Thomson, 1809

“I am a real Christian—that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus.”
Letter to Benjamin Rush, 1803

“No nation has ever existed or been governed without religion.”
Letter to Alexander von Humboldt, 1811

James Madison

“We have staked the whole future of American civilization… upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves according to the Ten Commandments.”
Often quoted; summarized from Madison’s writings and ideas—sometimes overstated in popular form.

“Religion and government will both exist in greater purity the less they are mixed together.”
Letter to Edward Livingston, 1822
(Madison believed separation protected religion, not removed it.)

Benjamin Franklin

“I believe the Bible to be the best book that ever was or ever will be known in the world.”
Letter to Ezra Stiles, 1790

“Where liberty dwells, there is my country.”
(Franklin saw biblical morality as essential to liberty.)

Patrick Henry

“The Bible is a book worth more than all the other books that were ever printed.”
Attributed in early biographies

“It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded… not by religionists, but by Christians.”
Speech, 1814

John Jay (First Chief Justice of the Supreme Court)

“The Bible is the best of all books, for it is the word of God.”
Letter to his son, 1784

“Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty… of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.”
Letter to Rev. Jedidiah Morse, 1797

The Founders:

They separated church and state to protect the church, not to remove the Bible from public life.

  • Abraham Lincoln: I believe the bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us through this book.
  • George Washington: It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.
  • Daniel Webster: If there is anything in my thoughts or style to commend, the credit is due to my parents for instilling in me an early love of the scriptures. If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering and to prosper; but if we and our posterity neglect its instructions and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury all our glory in profound obscurity.
  • John Quincy Adams: So great is my veneration for the Bible that the earlier my children begin to read it the more confident will be my hope that they will prove useful citizens of their country and respectable members of society. I have for many years made it a practice to read through the Bible once every years.
  • John Adams– 2nd President of the United States “The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were… the general principles of Christianity.” — Letter to Thomas Jefferson, June 28, 1813 “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” — Address to the Massachusetts Militia, 1798
  • Andrew Jackson : That Book, sir, is the rock on which our republic rests.
  • Sir Isaac Newton: There are more sure marks of authenticity in the Bible than in any profane history.
  • James Jennings: If a man’s Bible is coming apart, it is an indication that he himself is fairly well put together.
  • Thomas Jefferson – 3rd President of the United States, Author of the Declaration of Independence “The doctrines of Jesus are simple, and tend all to the happiness of man.” — Letter to Van der Kemp, 1816 “I am a real Christian – that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus Christ.” — Letter to Benjamin Rush, April 21, 1803
  • Benjamin Franklin– Founding Father, Diplomat, Inventor “As to Jesus of Nazareth, I think the system of morals and His religion… the best the world ever saw or is likely to see.” — Letter to Ezra Stiles, March 9, 1790 “God governs in the affairs of men… and if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?” — Constitutional Convention, June 28, 1787
  • James Madison – 4th President of the U.S., Father of the Constitution “We have staked the whole future of American civilization… upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God.” (Attributed, though debated, it reflects his broader writings on religion and morality.) “Religion is the basis and foundation of government.” — Letter to William Bradford, 1773
  • Patrick Henry– Founding Father, Famous for “Give me liberty, or give me death!” “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians… on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” — Attributed from writings and speeches
  • Noah Webster– Founding Educator, Creator of Webster’s Dictionary “The moral principles and precepts found in the Scriptures ought to form the basis of all our civil constitutions and laws.” — Preface to Webster’s American Dictionary of the English Language, 1828 “Education is useless without the Bible.” — Advice to the Young, 1832
  • Samuel Adams– Signer of the Declaration, Governor of Massachusetts “Let divines and philosophers, statesmen and patriots, unite their endeavors to renovate the age by… inculcating the great and moral truths which are supported by the Christian religion.” — Speech at the State House, 1790
  • Daniel Webster– Senator, Statesman, Lawyer “If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering… but if we and our posterity neglect its instructions… no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us.” — Speech, 1821
In Summary: Even with their differences in denominational belief or personal theology, the Founding Fathers overwhelmingly believed that: Faith in God and Biblical values were essential for individual and national integrity. Christian moral teachings were necessary to sustain a free and virtuous republic. The Bible was seen not just as a religious book, but as a moral foundation for civil society.

February 1, 2026

Men and women – equal but different roles

Filed under: Old and New Testament — Adam Osborne @ 2:06 pm

Adam’s comments: This study discusses the equality of men and women. This study did not go in to the different complimentary “roles” that God gave men and women.

Old Testament Foundations (Equal Value Before God)

Genesis 1:26–27 “So God created mankind in his own image… male and female he created them.”

Key point: Both men and women bear the imago Dei (image of God). There is no hierarchy in value here—both equally reflect God’s image.

Genesis 2:18 “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

Key point: The Hebrew word for helper (ezer) is often used of God Himself (e.g., Psalm 33:20). It implies strength and partnership, not inferiority.

Proverbs 31:10–31 This passage praises a woman who is wise, industrious, respected, and influential.

Key point: Her worth is described as “far more than rubies,” and her husband is honored because of her. She is not diminished by her role—she is exalted.

Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 “Two are better than one…”

Key point: Though not gender-specific, it reinforces the biblical pattern of mutual dependence and shared strength, which fits the complementarian view.

New Testament Teaching (Equal Standing in Christ)

Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Key point: This is the clearest statement of spiritual equality. Differences of role do not affect salvation, inheritance, or standing before God.

1 Peter 3:7 “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life.”

Key point: Women are co-heirs of grace. Any leadership in marriage is never dominance—it is accountable, loving stewardship.

Ephesians 5:21–25 “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

Key point: Before Paul discusses distinct roles in marriage, he establishes mutual submission. Christlike leadership and Christlike submission are both acts of service.

1 Corinthians 11:11–12 “Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.”

Key point: Paul balances role distinctions with interdependence and equality before God.

Romans 16:1–7 Paul commends Phoebe, Priscilla, Junia, and other women as coworkers in the gospel.

Key point: Women are clearly affirmed as valued partners in ministry, even while churches maintain role distinctions.

Theological Summary

  • Equal in essence and worth (Genesis 1; Galatians 3)
  • Different in role and function (Ephesians 5; 1 Timothy 2)
  • Designed for mutual dependence, not hierarchy of value (1 Corinthians 11; 1 Peter 3)
  • Modeled after the Trinity—equal in nature, different in roles (cf. John 5:19; 14:28)

“Scripture teaches that men and women are equal in dignity, value, and salvation before God, both bearing His image. God assigns distinct and complementary roles in the home and church, not to create inequality, but to reflect His design for unity, order, and mutual flourishing.”

May 18, 2025

The Holy Spirit: Before and After Pentecost

Filed under: Old and New Testament — Adam Osborne @ 2:09 pm

THE HOLY SPIRIT PRIOR TO PENTECOST

LUKE 10: 1-9  After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. 2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. 4 Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. 5 Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. 8 Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. 9 Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’

LUKE 9:1-2 And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.

Prior to Pentecost, certain individuals were given the power of the Holy Spirit.  However, not in the same way that was given at (and permanently after) Pentecost. 

1. Pre-Pentecost Empowerment Was Temporary and Delegated

In Luke 10:1–20, Jesus sends out 72 (some manuscripts say 70) disciples in pairs, telling them to heal the sick and announce the Kingdom of God. This authority was given directly by Jesus, much like He did with the 12 apostles in Luke 9:1–2:

“He gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases…”

This was not a permanent, indwelling empowerment by the Holy Spirit, but rather a temporary empowerment for a mission.

2. Holy Spirit in the Old Testament and Pre-Pentecost Times

The Holy Spirit did work before Pentecost, but selectively and temporarily—empowering prophets, judges, kings, and others for specific tasks (e.g., Samson, David, Elijah). This seems to be the case with the 72 as well.

  • Prophets: Prophets in the Old Testament were empowered by the Holy Spirit to speak God’s word, reveal His will, and sometimes perform signs. The Spirit did not indwell them permanently but came upon them at specific times for specific purposes. For example, the Spirit enabled Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel to speak messages of warning, hope, and judgment (e.g., Ezekiel 2:2). The Holy Spirit was the source of prophetic insight (2 Peter 1:21), ensuring that their messages were not merely human opinions but divinely inspired revelations.
  • Judges: The Judges were leaders raised by God to deliver Israel from oppression during the time between Joshua and the monarchy. The Holy Spirit came upon judges like Othniel, Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson to give them supernatural strength, courage, and leadership ability (e.g., Judges 3:10, 6:34, 11:29, 14:6). This empowerment was temporary and task-specific, enabling them to lead military victories or make judgments, but it did not remain with them continually.
  • Kings: Israel’s kings were sometimes empowered by the Holy Spirit to govern wisely and lead effectively, especially early in their reigns. Saul initially received the Spirit and even prophesied (1 Samuel 10:10), but the Spirit later departed from him due to disobedience (1 Samuel 16:14). David was also anointed by the Spirit (1 Samuel 16:13), and he prayed in Psalm 51:11, “Do not take your Holy Spirit from me,” showing his awareness that the Spirit’s presence could be withdrawn. Like with judges, the Spirit’s empowerment for kings was conditional and not yet the permanent indwelling seen in the New Testament.

3. Pentecost Marked a New Phase

At Pentecost (Acts 2), the Holy Spirit came to indwell all believers permanently, fulfilling Jesus’ promise in John 14:17:

“…He lives with you and will be in you.”

This marks a shift—from temporary empowerment to permanent indwelling and ongoing transformation.

What Happened at Pentecost (Acts 2):

Pentecost occurred 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection. As the disciples gathered in Jerusalem, the Holy Spirit was poured out on them with signs like a rushing wind and tongues of fire (Acts 2:1–4). They began speaking in other languages, and Peter boldly preached the gospel. That day, about 3,000 people believed and were baptized, marking the birth of the New Testament Church.

The Role of the Holy Spirit:

At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit began to permanently indwell all believers (not just selected leaders), just as Jesus had promised (John 14:16–17). This was a new era in God’s plan—where God’s presence would no longer dwell in a temple, but in His people. The Spirit convicts of sin, guides into truth, gives spiritual gifts, produces fruit like love and joy (Galatians 5:22–23), and empowers believers for witness and service (Acts 1:8).

How the Holy Spirit Empowers Christians Today:

Today, every true believer receives the Holy Spirit at salvation (Romans 8:9). He empowers us to live holy lives, understand Scripture, pray effectively, resist sin, and boldly share the gospel. He also unites the Church, comforts us in trials, and shapes us to become more like Christ. The same Spirit who empowered the apostles continues to work in and through believers to fulfill God’s mission in the world.

Contact Adam

May 17, 2025

Suffering because of sin?

Filed under: New Testament — Adam Osborne @ 4:17 am

Luke 13:1-5

13 There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

ASK: Do people think that bad things happen to people because they are perhaps worse sinners than other sinners? Does the bible support this or not?

The New Testament does not support the idea that bad things happen only—or especially—to people who are worse sinners than others. In fact, Jesus explicitly rejects this belief.

What This Means:

  • Jesus denies that suffering is always the result of being a worse sinner.
  • He uses these examples to urge everyone to examine their lives and repent.
  • The focus is not on the sinfulness of others, but on the personal responsibility of all.

Additional Support:

  1. John 9:1–3 (NIV) – A man born blind:

“Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”

  1. Again, Jesus rejects the idea that specific suffering is due to specific sin.
  2. Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
    • No one is without sin; we are all equally in need of grace.
  3. Matthew 5:45 – “[God] causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
    • Both good and bad experiences happen to all people.

GOT QUESTIONS.ORG:   The desire to link sin to suffering is so strong that Jesus dealt with the issue at least twice. “As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus” (John 9:1–3). The disciples made the mistake of assuming that the innocent would never suffer and assigned personal guilt to the blind man (or to his parents). Jesus corrected their thinking, saying, “This happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him” (verse 3). The man’s blindness was not the result of personal sin; rather, God had a higher purpose for the suffering.

Another time, Jesus commented on the deaths of some people killed in an accident: “Those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish” (Luke 13:4–5). In this case, Jesus again discounted the notion that tragedy and suffering are the result of personal sin. At the same time, Jesus emphasized the fact that we live in a world full of sin and its effects; therefore, everyone must repent.

SUMMARY:

Some people tell Jesus about a tragic incident where Pilate killed some Galileans while they were offering sacrifices. Jesus responds by challenging the idea that those who suffer are worse sinners than others. He gives another example: a tower in Siloam fell and killed eighteen people. Again, He says they were not worse sinners than others in Jerusalem.

“Unless you repent, you too will all perish.” (v. 3 and v. 5)

Jesus uses both examples to call everyone to personal repentance, not to judge the victims of tragedies.

Life Applications from Luke 13:1–5

1. Suffering is not always tied to personal sin

  • Jesus clearly teaches that bad things don’t only happen to bad people.
  • Application: Avoid assuming that someone’s suffering is a sign of God’s judgment. Show compassion, not condemnation.

2. We all need repentance

  • Jesus repeats: “Unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
  • Application: Don’t compare your sins to others. Focus on your own heart and walk with God. Repentance is personal and urgent.

3. Tragedy should move us toward God, not judgment

  • When we hear about disasters or death, our first thought shouldn’t be blame — it should be reflection.
  • Application: Let tragedies remind you of the fragility of life and the importance of being right with God today.

4. God’s patience is not permission

  • Although not in these verses yet, this moment sets up the parable of the barren fig tree in Luke 13:6–9, which shows God’s mercy but also His call to bear fruit (repentance and change).
  • Application: Don’t delay spiritual growth. God is merciful, but He also expects change.

In One Sentence:

Jesus teaches that everyone needs to repent, and we should never assume that those who suffer are worse than the rest of us.

Contact Adam

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