My Theological Views as of 2019

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While listening to NPR several years ago, I heard a segment titled, “This I Believe.” This series started back in 1951 by Edward R. Murrow who would ask people from all walks of life to write about their core beliefs — their personal creed, if you will. While the NPR series has ended, This I Believe grew into something much more. It now has its own website, thisibelieve.org, where one could review past essays, contribute one’s own essay, and subscribe to the This I Believe podcast.

After several years of thoughts and ideas rattling around in my head, I had a touch of inspiration and could make a coherent list of my theological worldview. While this isn’t exactly a personal creed per se, it’s what currently guides me when I read the scriptures, and work in and with the world. Further, we all change and grow and so what follows is the framework of theological views as of 2019.

1. Jesus is the climax, goal, end of the Old Covenantal age (the Age of Law) — Romans 7.1-4; 10.4 (CSB,[1] MOUNCE[2]); Galatians 3.24[3].

2. Through his life, Jesus planted the Realm (Kingdom) of God — Matthew 13; Mark 1.15 (MSG[4]); Romans 5.6; Galatians 4.4; Ephesians 1.10.

3. Through his life, death, and resurrection, Jesus actually rescued all of creation from sin and death (John 1.29; 3.17; 12.47; etc.). The arrangement was between God and Jesus (Galatians 3.16) and did not nor does not rely on the whims and choices of people (Leviticus 16; If the sacrifice was accepted, the high priest returned to the people (the reason for Jesus’ resurrection — 1 Corinthians 15.17) and pronounced them clean and forgiven. The people didn’t have to “believe” this before it was applied; the priest proclaimed what was already a reality) — 2 Corinthians 5.16-19; Romans 3.21-22; 11.16; Galatians 3.22; Philippians 3.9; Hebrews 10; 1 Timothy 2.3-4; 4.10; Titus 2.11.

4. God’s Realm (New Creation / Covenant) began [to grow] on the “first day of the week,” i.e., with Jesus’ resurrection — John 20; 2 Corinthians 5.17; Galatians 6.15.

5. Both the old (covenant) age and the new (covenant) age shared roughly 40 years together — Matthew 13.24-31; Luke 9:28-36 (cf. Joshua 5.1-9); while the new age was growing, the old age was decaying, ready to pass away — Hebrews 8; 2 Corinthians 3.7-11.

6. During this transitional time (New Exodus, 1 Corinthians 10.1-11 (NLT[5]); like outgoing / incoming presidents), people could “believe in Jesus” and receive the Spirit as a “deposit / promise” (firstfruits) that they would eventually be “saved” or “rescued” and given the “Life of the Ages” (αἰώνιος ζωή (aiōnios zōē)) — Romans 8.23; 2 Corinthians 5.5; Ephesians 4.30; James 1.18.

a. This was conditional — they would receive the Life of the Ages only if they continued in the faith — Colossians 1.19-23; Ephesians 1.13-14; Romans 11.22; 13.11; 1 Corinthians 15.2; Hebrews 3.6.

b. This could mean that “God’s judgment / wrath” was only temporary for the people of the transitional period — Matthew 5.26; 18.23-34; 25.31ff; 1 Corinthians 3.10-15.

7. The end of the old age and the fully established new age came with the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 CE — Matthew 13.36-43; 16.28; 24.1ff; Romans 13.11; 1 Cor 7.29-31; 10.1-11; James 5.8; 1 Peter 4.7; 1 John 2.18; Revelation 1.1-3; 22.10.

8. From 70 CE to now and on into the future, God’s Realm continues to grow through the “good works” of God’s people until it fills the earth “like the water covers the sea” John 20.21; Isaiah 11.9; Habakkuk 2.14.

a. The Life of the Ages is now for everyone (see point 3 above) — Romans 5.18, 21 (NLT); 1 Corinthians 15.21-22 (CEV[6]); 2 Corinthians 3.6; 1 Timothy 4.10; Titus 2.11.

b. “Salvation” (election / rescue) of people in this world’s realm now is more akin to people in the priesthood, i.e., we’re God’s Word made flesh to “stand in the gap” between God and people, reflecting God’s image to people and bringing the plight of people back to God — John 20.21; 1 Timothy 4.10; 1 Peter 2.5, 9; Revelation 1.6; 5.10; 20.6.

c. We’re now a lot like Sarah and Abraham, i.e., followers of God without the “Law.” Just as they followed God before the Law (no “Bible;” they listened to the Spirit and followed where the Spirit led; lived by faith), we, too, should follow God’s Spirit for there is no longer the Law; there is only Grace, Mercy, and Love with Love being the greatest of all — John 1.17; Romans 4.15; 5.13, 20-21; 6.14; 7.8b-9; 1 Corinthians 13.13.

9. Once God’s Realm has fully consumed this world’s realm, then God’s Realm will “come down” and the two realms will be One — Revelation 21-22



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In the Love of the Three in One,

Br. Jack+, LC
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[1] Scripture quotations marked (CSB) are taken from The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.

[2] Scripture quotations marked (MOUNCE) taken from The Mounce Reverse-Interlinear New Testament. Copyright © 2011 by Robert H. Mounce and William D. Mounce. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

[3] Unless otherwise stated, all scripture quotations and references are taken from The Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible.

[4] Scripture quotations marked (MSG) taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

[5] Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation, Inc. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

[6] Scripture quotations marked (CEV) are from The Contemporary English Version. Copyright © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

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