I always appreciate the insights gained from Michael Horton and the rest of the contributors on The White Horse Inn, but I found this episode to be particularly insightful.

I would imagine that most Christians have, at some time in their lives, puzzled over the texts in Joshua where God commands the people of Israel to utterly destroy all of the inhabitants of the land of Canaan. How are we to interpret these passages? Should they be in the Bible? If so, how do these texts jive with the emphasis upon love and mercy that we see in Christ? And beyond that, what do these texts say to us today about war in general, or holy war in particular?

Certainly these are challenging questions. In fact, these are the texts that critics of the Bible will often go to first. Critics will claim that the God of the Old Testament is different than the God of the New, or that the God of the Bible is, in fact, morally repulsive. In my opinion, Horton and the crew deal beautifully with this difficulty.

As you listen I would encourage you to take special note of the way that these men go about interpreting scripture. Among other things, they pay special attention to the context of the book of Joshua. Not only do they pay attention the cultural and literary context, but also the redemptive historical context.

I notice that there are also other episodes pertaining to this topic both before and after this one in the White Horse Inn archives. Though I have not listened to them, I’m confident in these men to recommend them to you as well.

Please have a listen!

Pastor Joe

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/holy-war/id356920632?i=234013247&mt=2

Web: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2014/01/19/whi-1189-holy-war/

Posted in Good Thoughts from Others Biblical Studies Joe Anady
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1. Take a moment to asses your current relationships. Are they filled with unity? Do you have a particular relationship that needs attending to? Why? Share with your group.

2. What is a godly and biblical way to deal with an individual who claims to be a Christian, yet has strong beliefs that are contrary to scripture? What theological issues should divide and what issues should be dismissed for the sake of unity? List and share.

3. How is your faith? Are you strong or struggling? Why? Explain and share.

4. Are you clearly and consistently “loving one another” in your GCG group? How so/ how can you tell? Discuss.

5. What is “love” according to Paul in Galatians 5? Define, explain, and share. See sermon notes at www.emmauscf.org/sermons for more information.

Posted in Study Guides Gospel Community Groups Russell Schmidt
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1. What role do works have in the process of Salvation? ( We know the ultimate answer is none, but is there any role we play?) Explain.

2. Are you currently fully trusting in the accomplishments of Christ for your salvation or have you been struggling with guilt and/or doubt? Share with your group.

3. Why is Galatians 5:3-4 NOT a verse that supports the teaching that one’s salvation can be lost? See sermon notes at emmauscf.org/sermons for more information.

4. Why is just believing in Jesus really not completely sufficient for proper salvation? In other word, why does theology matter in salvation? Explain.

5. Remember to pray for your group throughout the week, that you may fully trust in Christ and from that produce good works for His Kingdom.

Posted in Study Guides Gospel Community Groups Russell Schmidt
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1. What are you most grateful/thankful for during this holiday season? Share.

2. How are you sharing the gospel with others during this holiday season? (At work, home, community, etc.)

3. Has your attention and focus been on Christ’s birth this holiday season? Or has the ways of the world distracted you in some way? Explain and share.

4. Have you ever reverted back to worshiping the “elementary principles” of the world? Why? What happened? Share.

5. How has the “Law” helped you grow in your faith? Explain. Share.

Sermon audio and manuscript can be found at emmauscf.org/sermons/

Posted in Study Guides Gospel Community Groups Russell Schmidt
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1. What are the differences and similarities between Old Testament and New Testament Saints. See sermon manuscript for further information. https://emmausrbc.org/sermons/

2. Was God really concerned with Old Testament Sacrifices? What sacrifices are pleasing to God today? Explain.

3. Why was the law of God given? Note: there was more than one reason. Share and support.

4. What does Paul mean when he says we now have “freedom in Christ”? Explain and support.

5. Are you currently living a life focused on godliness? Or have you lost perspective on your identity and freedom in Christ? Share and pray for one another.

Posted in Study Guides Gospel Community Groups Russell Schmidt
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The following are review questions for Galatians chapters 3. Discuss in detail the questions that stand out the most.

What term did Paul use to describe the Galatians? (1)

How did they receive the Spirit? (2-5)

Who are the sons of Abraham? (6-7)

How are the Gentiles justified? (8-9)

Who is under the curse? (10)

Who is justified by the law? (11)

What did Christ redeem us from? (13)

Why did Christ become a curse for us? (13-14)

Who is the Seed of Abraham? (16)

What cannot the law annul? (17)

How did God give the inheritance to Abraham? (18)

Why was the law added? (19)

Is the law against the promises of God? (21)

What has the Scripture concluded? (22)

What function did the law serve? (23-24)

After faith has come what are we no longer under? (25)

What have we become through faith in Jesus Christ? (26)

What distinction no longer exists when we put on Christ? (27-28)

What have we become if we are Christ’s? (29)

*A written copy of the sermon manuscript can be found here. https://emmausrbc.org/files/services/11-17-2013notes.pdf

Posted in Study Guides Gospel Community Groups Russell Schmidt
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1. Why is Galatians 3:20 so difficult to interpret? Explain.

2. In 1-2 sentences, summarize Paul’s main point in Galatians 1-3.

3. If the law was not meant to bring salvation or justification before God, then what was its purpose? In the OT? In the NT?

4. What was the intra-trinitarian agreement between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in eternity past? Explain.

5. What has been the most enlightening thing you have learned from the book of Galatians up to this point? Share.

Posted in Study Guides Gospel Community Groups Russell Schmidt
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1. Are you currently trusting and resting in God or are you trying to rely on your own strength? Share.

2. What is the purpose and use for the “Law”? Explain and support.

3. Do you have any unconfessed sin in your life? Do you have any perpetual sin in your life? Are you willing to share with your group?

4. How could you help or encourage a fellow believer who is trusting in their works for salvation and is continuously in fear that they might lose their salvation?

5. How can your group pray for you this week so that you may grow in Christ?

Posted in Study Guides Gospel Community Groups Russell Schmidt
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