This is a temporary page to post studies alphabetically until I can incorporate them into the meta-narrative of “The Story.”

A Brief on the Faith of Jesus: A request came from someone who was reading “Peter and Forgiveness“: “I want to understand what the full meaning of ‘the faith of Jesus’ is all about…. Would you send me a booklet, paper, etc. that will explain what it is in its entirety. I want to understand this more than I can express.” While this 5-page brief hardly covers “the full meaning … in its entirety,” it is my latest attempt to summarize the key points from Scripture. (15 September 2016; updated 29 July 2017, 10 August 2017 Updated)

Christ’s Bride: The end-time pictures of those who are won back by the love revealed in the gospel, include a description of them as the “bride” of Christ. At times this picture is confusing, as the corporate and individual dimensions appear to contradict each other. But examining the detailed pictures brings clarity. Consider them in this study, “Who is Christ’s Bride?” (29 August 2013)

The Daily and Yearly in Salvation: The Bible pictures two time elements woven together in the salvation process, one the continual activities as God deals with sin (the interface between the principle of agape and its counterfeit), and the other a series of one-time events (not necessarily punctiliar in nature) that will bring the counterfeit to an end. Consider the evidences for these in Exodus, Hebrews, and Revelation, as well as reflected in Ellen White’s writings, especially Manuscript 50, 1900, “Christ Our High Priest.” (27 March 2015; updated 5 December 2015)

The Gospel of the Covenant: excellent overview of the Covenant; series of articles from 1936 Review by W. W. Prescott (7 June 2014)

The Hanging of History: how important is history and how should we view it? (14 April 2014)

The Love and Faith Story: What are the dynamics of love and faith? Is it possible to diagram the fundamentals of these terms that describe righteousness (compare Ephesians 6:14 with 1 Thessalonians 5:8)? This 34-minute devotional with slides was given to the staff at the Herghelia Lifestyle Medicine Center the morning of 22 July 2016, and was video recorded and published on the Herghelia TvStudio YouTube channel 2 September 2016. A statement from 1896 is used to introduce the theme, and then Bible texts are shown to illustrate it repeatedly. (18 September 2017) NEW

Peter and Forgiveness: My reflections on “Peter and Forgiveness” were begun in 2013, to explore an amazing collection of evidences in Peter’s experiences with Jesus regarding the core and spectrum of forgiveness. This study has been serialized in part in the 1888 Message Study Committee Newsletter beginning in 2014, published through Story #5. Story #6 was in the newsletter being prepared when its editor Will Pergerson II died August 27. The rest of this study is planned to be released in serial form in future issues of the newsletter. But I have decided to publish online the study in its currently completed form for two urgent reasons. I wish to memorialize the ministry of Pastor Will (his memorial services have already begun this weekend), a man whose journey into the gospel was tragically cut short, but whose witness will continue. And I wish to give Peter a voice that, to my knowledge, has not been heard by the 1.25 billion of earth’s inhabitants that consider Peter to have been the first bishop of Rome. Beginning tomorrow the man considered by these individuals to be Peter’s successor, the current Roman Catholic bishop of Rome, Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, will be arriving to visit Cuba and the U.S.A., making some unprecedented appearances. My desire is that these thoughts, based on the simple stories of Peter, and on Peter’s own letters, may highlight what we all desperately need, to get to know the real Peter, and through him the real Jesus. Devoid of tradition and the outward things that usually obscure the essential issues of life, may these stories of the fisherman turned shepherd bring deep conviction and clarity to our hearts as we enter a phase of earth’s history that will test our views of Jesus and His kingdom to their very foundations. “Freely ye have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:8). (18 September 2015; updated 18 September 2016)

Salvation: The Bible simply describes the problem we need saving from–two side of one reality–sin and death. The Law defines these and describes their relationship. But thank God for the solution He has poured out upon us–the Gospel, Jesus! Consider these two themes behind Salvation, Law and Gospel, in diagram form, with brief reflections on them. Looks over some evidences for the process of salvation flowing through the Gospel, fulfilling Law. “Historic Adventism” has focused on the third dimension of the process; “Evangelical Adventism” has come along emphasizing the second; the Loud Cry message restored emphasis on the first, and wrapped them all together. (28 July 2014)

Unity: In February 2014 several online videos were released calling anew for unity between churches, especially between the Protestants and the Roman Catholic Church. Bishop Tony Palmer and Pope Francis made some appealing calls for brotherhood and fulfilling Jesus’ desire that we be one. What are we to do in response? Can we discern the “high road” (which is really one of genuine humility) we are called to, in light of John 17 and the issues at hand? Consider Jesus’ prayer, and 8 genuine and counterfeit principles in this study, “Unity: at What Cost?” (Audio, Slides, Handout). The answer may surprise you. (2 April 2014)
Note 7/28/14: real sadness hearing last week of Tony’s death–such talent and potential for genuine unity lost!

The Wrath of God: This is an important New Testament Bible theme, from John 3:36 to Revelation 19:15. Both Romans 1 and Revelation 14 address it in the context of the gospel. What this 2-page document attempts to do is make some summary statements on “The Wrath of God in the Light of Love, Law, Sin, and Death.” It is not a study paper, as I have not supplied documentation of the statements I make, but as is noted in the beginning paragraph, this can be done. My purpose is to be brief in connecting the Bible themes that must go together to enable us to see how a God who is love can have a character quality called wrath. We are limited in understanding this do to our lack of grasping what unselfish wrath looks like and why it is important. (17 November 2016; updated 29 June 2017)

Last Update: 18 September 2017