B-7 PEOPLE FILES
- Amelia Brown - Christopher Brown - Floyd Brown - Jared Brown - Joseph Brown - Ken Brown - Quincy Brown - Tom Brown - Walter Brueggeman - Kathy Brumbaugh - Rob Brunansky - F. Dale Bruner - Andrew Brunson -
==amelia brown======
Amelia Brown is from Jamaica. She is a Guidance Counselor by profession, but a passionate writer at heart. Most of her articles written are aimed at stimulating positive change under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. She is also a published poet and a member of Faithwriters. Outside of writing, she enjoys volunteering, cooking, and turning frowns right side up. Amelia currently lives in New York.
Balaam was summoned by a mighty king to come over and lay a curse on the Israelites. God advised him not to go, but he insisted on going anyway. He stood to gain a lot, and he wasn’t contented with ruining his perfect opportunities. His means of transportation to go visit Balak’s kingdom was his trusty old donkey.
All went well on their journey … until the donkey started acting up, that is. The first thing he did, was turn into a field when he should have been continuing straight ahead. Balaam must have thought, “Really? I know you didn’t!” before he struck the donkey and led him back on the path. He probably was getting ready to get over it, when it happened again. This time, the donkey accidently crushed Balaam’s foot against a wall in her refusal to go forward. Enraged, He flogged her again.
Balaam was confident that his second whupping would have set his defiant donkey straight. Boy, was he wrong. For the third time, the donkey acted out, sitting in the middle of a narrow road with Balaam still on top. This must have made Balaam’s blood boil with anger. And so for the third time, he struck the donkey again. The donkey have had the last straw, he needed to speak up. So, God allowed the donkey to talk. He asked Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” (Numbers 22:28)
Are you flogging the donkeys in your life?
The donkey could be your parents, teachers, maybe even your best friend. In essence, the donkey represents anyone in your life who’s giving you a hard time because they want to see you succeed. The donkey may seem stubborn and hard-headed, telling you where to go and what to do. Telling you what to wear, who not to hang out with, and is pretty much cramping your swag and stifling your future. You may see this donkey as standing in the way of your opportunities, instead of actually looking out for you.
Balaam thought so too. He thought his donkey was just being a stubborn old mule. He flogged him repeatedly until God stepped in and opened Balaam’s eyes to the truth. The donkey could see what he couldn’t. He saw danger up ahead in the form an angel with a sword, ready to take his rider’s life. The donkey might have hurt Balaam’s foot—and his ego, but he repeatedly saved his life each time he stubbornly refused to go forward. When God finally opened Balaam’s eyes, he was able to see the angel with his sword, and the reason behind the donkey’s actions.
Remember that the donkeys in your life are sometimes able to see the dangers ahead, especially those like your parents, pastor, or teachers. They say experience teaches wisdom. Most of the time, they know what they’re talking about. So instead of flogging the donkeys in your circle, embrace them and give them the benefit a doubt. --Amelia Brown; The Bottom Line; Are You Flogging the Donkey? 2/23/16
All went well on their journey … until the donkey started acting up, that is. The first thing he did, was turn into a field when he should have been continuing straight ahead. Balaam must have thought, “Really? I know you didn’t!” before he struck the donkey and led him back on the path. He probably was getting ready to get over it, when it happened again. This time, the donkey accidently crushed Balaam’s foot against a wall in her refusal to go forward. Enraged, He flogged her again.
Balaam was confident that his second whupping would have set his defiant donkey straight. Boy, was he wrong. For the third time, the donkey acted out, sitting in the middle of a narrow road with Balaam still on top. This must have made Balaam’s blood boil with anger. And so for the third time, he struck the donkey again. The donkey have had the last straw, he needed to speak up. So, God allowed the donkey to talk. He asked Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” (Numbers 22:28)
Are you flogging the donkeys in your life?
The donkey could be your parents, teachers, maybe even your best friend. In essence, the donkey represents anyone in your life who’s giving you a hard time because they want to see you succeed. The donkey may seem stubborn and hard-headed, telling you where to go and what to do. Telling you what to wear, who not to hang out with, and is pretty much cramping your swag and stifling your future. You may see this donkey as standing in the way of your opportunities, instead of actually looking out for you.
Balaam thought so too. He thought his donkey was just being a stubborn old mule. He flogged him repeatedly until God stepped in and opened Balaam’s eyes to the truth. The donkey could see what he couldn’t. He saw danger up ahead in the form an angel with a sword, ready to take his rider’s life. The donkey might have hurt Balaam’s foot—and his ego, but he repeatedly saved his life each time he stubbornly refused to go forward. When God finally opened Balaam’s eyes, he was able to see the angel with his sword, and the reason behind the donkey’s actions.
Remember that the donkeys in your life are sometimes able to see the dangers ahead, especially those like your parents, pastor, or teachers. They say experience teaches wisdom. Most of the time, they know what they’re talking about. So instead of flogging the donkeys in your circle, embrace them and give them the benefit a doubt. --Amelia Brown; The Bottom Line; Are You Flogging the Donkey? 2/23/16
==christopher brown======
Since 2016, Christopher Brown has served as the pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Berthoud, Colorado. After graduating from the University of Colorado in 2004, he attended Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, co-founded and co-pastored The Upper Room Presbyterian Church, and served as the first coordinator of the Church Planting Initiative at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (now known as the Center for Adaptive and Innovative Ministry). He is a husband, father, runner, writer, musician, and pilgrim seeking deeper life in Christ.
Christopher Brown
The word “subdue” in Hebrew this is kabash. You can’t get around it; it does mean “subdue” or “enslave”, and even in the harshest instances “molest” or “rape.” But here’s the catch: it only means this when the party being subdued is already hostile. Hence it’s used to speak of military enemies in scripture. Not to subdue an attacking army would lead to death. Hence, we subdue the earth because without such subjugation the harshness of nature would yield death for us rather than life. As God subdues that in us which leads to death rather than life – sin – so too we subdue in nature that which leads to death, turning it around so that it yields life. Jesus’ words about pruning in John 15 provide a beautiful example of the way in which God subdues sin, using as an analogy the way a farmer subdues nature. Thus agriculture and other life-giving uses of nature are proper fulfillment of the command to “subdue” creation.
--Christopher Brown; Poiesis Theou: Genesis 1:28, To “Subdue” and “Have Dominion Over” Creation
--Christopher Brown; Poiesis Theou: Genesis 1:28, To “Subdue” and “Have Dominion Over” Creation
==floyd brown======
Mar 23, 2013: Right Wing Watch: Lance Wallnau Seeks to Break the ‘Demonic Strongholds’ That Are Preventing GOP Candidates from Winning Elections
Both Murillo and Wallnau are conspiracy theorists and unabashed Trump cultists who have declared that Christians must never accept the results of the 2020 election, warning that accepting that Joe Biden is president is a sign of disloyalty to God. Given such views, it was no surprise that the event was filled with right-wing rants, corporate prayers for Trump, and Christian nationalist rhetoric, such as when speaker Floyd Brown, founder of The Western Journal, urged the audience to “take back America” by having their church literally take over their hometowns.
“Every church should run their town,” Floyd proclaimed.
Both Murillo and Wallnau are conspiracy theorists and unabashed Trump cultists who have declared that Christians must never accept the results of the 2020 election, warning that accepting that Joe Biden is president is a sign of disloyalty to God. Given such views, it was no surprise that the event was filled with right-wing rants, corporate prayers for Trump, and Christian nationalist rhetoric, such as when speaker Floyd Brown, founder of The Western Journal, urged the audience to “take back America” by having their church literally take over their hometowns.
“Every church should run their town,” Floyd proclaimed.
==jared brown======
Dr. Jared Brown taught Biblical Greek at Mid-America Reformed Seminary and co-taught Greek exegesis of Romans with Douglas Moo at Wheaton College. Dr. Brown has also presented a paper on Paul's use of Abraham in Romans 4 at ETS. He is currently teaching a class on Romans at Grace Community Presbyterian Church, and will be teaching New Testament Greek I this Spring for Greystone. He earned his PhD in Biblical and Theological Studies: New Testament at Wheaton College.
Jared Brown
Robert Matthew Calhoun’s monograph, Paul’s Definitions of the Gospel in Romans 1, is a revision of his dissertation at the University of Chicago, which he wrote under the supervision of Margaret Mitchell. Calhoun uses rhetorical criticism to help our understanding of how Paul defines the gospel. His thesis is four-fold. First, Calhoun focuses on Romans 1:2-4 and 1:16-17 as the two coordinated definitions of the gospel: Paul states the gospel’s content in 2-4 and its function in 16-17. Second, Paul’s two-fold definition of the gospel also evidences the necessary brevity for definition by employing the rhetorical figures of ellipses, synecdoche, and commonalities. Third, Paul “deliberately invests vv 16-17 with exploitable ambiguities in both the terminology and syntax” (p. 4). Fourth, Paul unfolds his argument by “exegeting the terms” of his essential (2-4) and functional (16-17) definitions, recombining their elements and maximizing the lexical meanings of their component terms along with their cognates toward a demonstration of how the gospel is God’s power at work in the cosmos (p. 4). -Jared Brown; For Christ & Kingdom
==joseph brown======
Oct 25, 2023: Times of Israel: Support for Israel becomes top issue for Iowa evangelicals key to first GOP caucuses
DeSantis has aggressively tried to win the support of evangelical clergy. One Iowa pastor leaning toward supporting DeSantis, Joseph Brown, called Trump’s criticism of Netanyahu “a huge turnoff” and questioned his true beliefs on Israel.
“Even though Donald Trump has done amazing things when it comes to Israel, we need some assurances now,” said Brown, who leads Marion Avenue Baptist Church in Washington, Iowa. “I don’t think he understands the biblical foundation of why we stand with Israel.”
DeSantis has aggressively tried to win the support of evangelical clergy. One Iowa pastor leaning toward supporting DeSantis, Joseph Brown, called Trump’s criticism of Netanyahu “a huge turnoff” and questioned his true beliefs on Israel.
“Even though Donald Trump has done amazing things when it comes to Israel, we need some assurances now,” said Brown, who leads Marion Avenue Baptist Church in Washington, Iowa. “I don’t think he understands the biblical foundation of why we stand with Israel.”
==ken brown======
Pastors of churches have a unique position in the lives of religious believers. Everything they say is accepted as truth. They are generally highly respected members of their community, but they use the authority of God to justify their claims. Politicians have long realized that this can be a powerful political tool. |
The poisoned church: When pastors use their pulpits to spread disinformation
Ken Brown leads his own ministry in Trenton, a suburb of Detroit, and is horrified. He says, “the crisis for the Church is a crisis of discernment…”—the ability to separate truth from untruth. He says it is a core Bible practice, and many Christians are not practicing it. His concern is for the millions of American evangelicals who had come to value political power over integrity. Although Bolin and Brown disagree on most things, they agree on this: There is a war for the soul of the American church. To many evangelicals, the enemy is no longer secular America, but their fellow Christians, people who hold the same faith but with far different political beliefs. (Jonathan Ms Pearce/Only Sky 5/25/22) READ MORE>>>>> |
==quincy brown======
Rev. Dr. Quincy D. Brown is the District Superintendent of the Atlanta-Decatur-Oxford District of the North Georgia Conference. An Elder in Full Connection in North Georgia Conference with 20+ years of ministry Quincy has served as an associate pastor, college chaplain, Vice President, church planter, and an executive pastor. He served as the Chairperson of the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, and Chairperson of the LaGrange District Committee on Ministry, a facilitator for the Residency in Ministry Program for Provisional Members, and a member of the Conference Trustees. Quincy served on the Young Clergy Initiative Advisory Team for the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. In 2003 he was awarded the Chaplain of the Year Award by the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation. A native of Gainesville, GA, Quincy is a graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology (BS, Electronic Engineering Technology), Candler School of Theology at Emory University (M.Div), and Gammon Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center (D.Min). Quincy has written numerous articles and two books: Q.U.E.S.T.: Stories as Guides Through Life’s Transitions, and The Q.U.E.S.T. for Vocation: A Personal Journey to Discern a Life’s Calling, and a chapter in In This Time and In This Place: Vocation in Higher Education: Vocation and Higher Education.
Quincy Brown
Facing our fears always brings us to the edge of the Jabbok: the emptying of ourselves, our identity, security, possessions, and positions. We each have our own Jabbok that we must cross alone. Jacob is alone and wrestles with God until daybreak. When God saw that Jacob would not give up, God dislocated Jacob’s hip and blessed him.
Jacob had to empty himself at the Jabbok and wrestle with God, and God didn’t seem to mind going to the mat with Jacob for several hours to bring him to his knees. And as hard as it is for me to admit, I wouldn’t say I like that God doesn’t mind wrestling with us and going to the mat to bring us to our knees. I wouldn’t say I like being pinned to the mat and having to surrender. I would much rather that God declares me the winner and blesses me without the struggle. That is, until I realize that “to wrestle” in Hebrew means “to get dusty and dirty.”
So, like Jacob, we wrestle with a God willing to “become dirty” to lift us out of the dirty messes of life that we create. During our muddy wrestling matches, we are blessed and wounded with a name change and a limp when daybreak comes. We see God face to face, and we receive a blessing.
Jacob’s name is no longer the deceiver, the heel-catcher. He is renamed and reborn. He is now Israel, who struggles with and prevails against God. We no longer must be independent agents, the GOAT (the Greatest Of All Time), Superman, or Wonder Woman, who endure through our strength. But we become Peniel, people who wrestle with God face to face and receive new life. Like Jacob, we cannot defeat God, but we can endure. We can stay in the struggle until a new day and receive the blessing. --Quincy Brown; Day 1; 8.6.23
Jacob had to empty himself at the Jabbok and wrestle with God, and God didn’t seem to mind going to the mat with Jacob for several hours to bring him to his knees. And as hard as it is for me to admit, I wouldn’t say I like that God doesn’t mind wrestling with us and going to the mat to bring us to our knees. I wouldn’t say I like being pinned to the mat and having to surrender. I would much rather that God declares me the winner and blesses me without the struggle. That is, until I realize that “to wrestle” in Hebrew means “to get dusty and dirty.”
So, like Jacob, we wrestle with a God willing to “become dirty” to lift us out of the dirty messes of life that we create. During our muddy wrestling matches, we are blessed and wounded with a name change and a limp when daybreak comes. We see God face to face, and we receive a blessing.
Jacob’s name is no longer the deceiver, the heel-catcher. He is renamed and reborn. He is now Israel, who struggles with and prevails against God. We no longer must be independent agents, the GOAT (the Greatest Of All Time), Superman, or Wonder Woman, who endure through our strength. But we become Peniel, people who wrestle with God face to face and receive new life. Like Jacob, we cannot defeat God, but we can endure. We can stay in the struggle until a new day and receive the blessing. --Quincy Brown; Day 1; 8.6.23
==tom brown======
Both Christian schools associated with the lawsuit — Temple Academy in Waterville and Bangor Christian Schools — have policies that discriminate against students and staff on a basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, he said.
The Rev. Tom Brown, who is senior pastor and president at Bangor Christian Schools and an affiliated church, said in an email that “we are processing” the attorney general’s statements. He confirmed that no students will be getting state tuition reimbursement this fall.
Officials from Temple Academy didn’t return messages. The Supreme Court ruling doesn’t affect the Carson family because their daughter already graduated from high school, and is enrolled in college.
- News Center Maine: Religious schools shun state funding despite Maine victory 8.30.22
The Rev. Tom Brown, who is senior pastor and president at Bangor Christian Schools and an affiliated church, said in an email that “we are processing” the attorney general’s statements. He confirmed that no students will be getting state tuition reimbursement this fall.
Officials from Temple Academy didn’t return messages. The Supreme Court ruling doesn’t affect the Carson family because their daughter already graduated from high school, and is enrolled in college.
- News Center Maine: Religious schools shun state funding despite Maine victory 8.30.22
==walter brueggemann====== |
Walter Brueggemann (born March 11, 1933) is an American Protestant Old Testament scholar and theologian who is widely considered one of the most influential Old Testament scholars of the last several decades. His work often focuses on the Hebrew prophetic tradition and sociopolitical imagination of the Church. He argues that the Church must provide a counter-narrative to the dominant forces of consumerism, militarism, and nationalism.
Walter Brueggeman
“Faith is both the conviction that justice can be accomplished and the refusal to accept injustice.”
― Walter Brueggemann, Interrupting Silence: God's Command to Speak Out
“Moses knows that prosperity breeds amnesia.” ― Walter Brueggemann,
Sabbath as Resistance: Saying No to the Culture of Now
Sabbath as Resistance: Saying No to the Culture of Now
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==kathy brumbaugh======
Drawing on years of dedication to the church, Rev. Kathy Brumbaugh excels in her role with Schenevus United Methodist. In addition to researching various topics for her columns and sermons, she provides care for her congregants and offers further Biblical knowledge to those attending her weekly Bible studies. For the past five years and still continuing, she has worked as a Bible columnist for the weekly Lancaster Farming News in Pennsylvania and Corydon Democrat in Indiana. The column is entitled "The Word Lives." Likewise, she found success as a newspaper editor and performed missionary work in China. During winter months she takes the many hats, gloves and scarves brought in by church members to be distributed to children in the local school district. An expert in her field, Rev. Brumbaugh holds a Bachelor of Arts in cultural journalism from Binghamton University and a Master of Divinity from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School. During her time as a member of the local Rotary Club in Owego, NY, she served as the club's first woman President in 1986-1987. She currently serves Young at Heart, a local senior's organization, as its secretary. Due to her vast breadth of knowledge, she has been honored for her work through Who's Who of Women in the World. While her career has been filled with highlights, Rev. Brumbaugh is most proud to have cultivated a propensity for reaching out to others. The cornerstone of her success lay in following the tenets of her faith, as well as her talent for writing, that which enables her to write for Lancaster Farming. In the coming years, Rev. Brumbaugh aims to complete her doctorate in theology, as well as compile her written columns into a book regarding her Christian faith.
Kathy Brumbaugh
Sometimes, the plans we make for ourselves do not turn out as expected. What we thought would be a good path can lead to unexpected results. Sometimes, we become shocked, surprised and overwhelmed when things turn out far different from what we had hoped for.
There are things in life that we may never understand. However, if we allow our road in life to be directed by God, it doesn’t matter if we understand everything. What is important is knowing that we can trust God to direct us. With God walking by our side, we can trust that everything will come together for good.
Now let us look at the writings of the prophet Isaiah as we continue to learn about following God’s ways.
In Isaiah 30:19-20, we find God speaking to the people of Jerusalem concerning how he would always walk with them, help them, guide them and teach them.
From Isaiah 30:20-21, we read, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it.’”
These are the words of God as he walks with us, teaching us his way. It is the voice of the Holy Spirit nudging us today, telling us the right way to go. However, it is up to each of us to decide if we will follow those godly nudgings or not. We do have free will to make choices for ourselves. The question is, do we trust in God to show us the best path to take, or do we ignore God, thinking our way is better?
--Rev. Kathy Brumbaugh; Schenevus United Methodist Church 12.1.22
There are things in life that we may never understand. However, if we allow our road in life to be directed by God, it doesn’t matter if we understand everything. What is important is knowing that we can trust God to direct us. With God walking by our side, we can trust that everything will come together for good.
Now let us look at the writings of the prophet Isaiah as we continue to learn about following God’s ways.
In Isaiah 30:19-20, we find God speaking to the people of Jerusalem concerning how he would always walk with them, help them, guide them and teach them.
From Isaiah 30:20-21, we read, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it.’”
These are the words of God as he walks with us, teaching us his way. It is the voice of the Holy Spirit nudging us today, telling us the right way to go. However, it is up to each of us to decide if we will follow those godly nudgings or not. We do have free will to make choices for ourselves. The question is, do we trust in God to show us the best path to take, or do we ignore God, thinking our way is better?
--Rev. Kathy Brumbaugh; Schenevus United Methodist Church 12.1.22
Kathy Brumbaugh
So what exactly is this faith we hold onto to? In Hebrews 11:1 we find this definition: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
We also recognize the same definition in this scripture from 2 Corinthians 5:7: “For we live by faith, not by sight.”
Jesus came to Earth in the flesh and lived among the people in the early years of the first century A.D. The people at the time of Jesus saw him, spoke to him, experienced his miracles, and learned from his teachings. Although he is no longer with us in the flesh, we have his words, his teachings, his sacrifice, written in the word of God, our Bibles.
In case there is a doubt that God is faithful to us, always, we have these words found in 2 Timothy 2:13: “If we are faithless, he (God) remains faithful, for he cannot disown (deny) himself.”
--Rev. Kathy Brumbaugh; Schenevus United Methodist Church; Faith and Faithfulness With God 7.14.23
We also recognize the same definition in this scripture from 2 Corinthians 5:7: “For we live by faith, not by sight.”
Jesus came to Earth in the flesh and lived among the people in the early years of the first century A.D. The people at the time of Jesus saw him, spoke to him, experienced his miracles, and learned from his teachings. Although he is no longer with us in the flesh, we have his words, his teachings, his sacrifice, written in the word of God, our Bibles.
In case there is a doubt that God is faithful to us, always, we have these words found in 2 Timothy 2:13: “If we are faithless, he (God) remains faithful, for he cannot disown (deny) himself.”
--Rev. Kathy Brumbaugh; Schenevus United Methodist Church; Faith and Faithfulness With God 7.14.23
==Rob Brunansky======
Rob Brunansky
To live without regard for the return of Christ is a dangerous error. The return of Christ forms the foundation of the fifth test John gives us in 1 John to help us know whether we have eternal life: How do we relate to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ? John makes it abundantly clear that those who have eternal life, those who truly have believed in Christ for salvation, are those who are prepared for His return and who are living in the light of His return.
We see in verse 28 of 1 John 2 that when He appears, there will be two options of what will occur for people. Those who know Christ and have eternal life will face that day with confidence based on our relationship with Christ. But other people who do not know Him will be put to shame as they fall under His wrath.
This is the test. The key differentiator, between those who have confidence when Christ comes and those who are put to shame away from His grace and mercy, is that those with confidence abide in Him. We are commanded to abide in Christ, and this is how we prepare for the return of Christ.
John follows up with this command by giving three traits of the people of God who are abiding in Christ.
The first characteristic of those abiding in Christ is that they are pursuing righteousness.
Those who belong to Christ, those who have been born of God, those who genuinely hope for the return of Christ, pursue righteousness. This Greek verb in the present tense indicates that something is in process; those abiding in Christ are in the process of doing what is righteous – or being sanctified, which is the process of becoming more holy, becoming more like Christ, or growing in righteousness. So if we are those who are in the process of doing righteousness, that means we are growing more righteous and obedient to Christ.
The second trait of those who are abiding in Christ and prepared for His coming is that they are rejecting rebellion.
No one can serve two masters. We will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. We cannot serve righteousness and rebellion at the same time. And those who are abiding in Christ are characterized as rejecting rebellion against God. We are either growing in obedience or growing in disobedience; no one is standing still (although some may move slower than others).
The third trait of those abiding in Christ is that they are resisting deceivers.
The world hates God’s truth. Deceivers claim that individuals can have Christ and they can have sin at the same time. They argue that sin is not really that big of a deal, or that people can abide in Christ and abide in sin simultaneously. We are not supposed to let anyone deceive us in this manner. Those who practice sin are of the devil. We resist deceivers by remembering this simple truth: Christ abides in those who abide in Him. And this means that it is impossible that we should be in the process of rebelling against Him and joining hands with the devil. The one who practices righteousness is righteous.
--Rob Brunansky; The Cripplegate; How to Prepare for the End of the World 9.21.23
We see in verse 28 of 1 John 2 that when He appears, there will be two options of what will occur for people. Those who know Christ and have eternal life will face that day with confidence based on our relationship with Christ. But other people who do not know Him will be put to shame as they fall under His wrath.
This is the test. The key differentiator, between those who have confidence when Christ comes and those who are put to shame away from His grace and mercy, is that those with confidence abide in Him. We are commanded to abide in Christ, and this is how we prepare for the return of Christ.
John follows up with this command by giving three traits of the people of God who are abiding in Christ.
The first characteristic of those abiding in Christ is that they are pursuing righteousness.
Those who belong to Christ, those who have been born of God, those who genuinely hope for the return of Christ, pursue righteousness. This Greek verb in the present tense indicates that something is in process; those abiding in Christ are in the process of doing what is righteous – or being sanctified, which is the process of becoming more holy, becoming more like Christ, or growing in righteousness. So if we are those who are in the process of doing righteousness, that means we are growing more righteous and obedient to Christ.
The second trait of those who are abiding in Christ and prepared for His coming is that they are rejecting rebellion.
No one can serve two masters. We will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. We cannot serve righteousness and rebellion at the same time. And those who are abiding in Christ are characterized as rejecting rebellion against God. We are either growing in obedience or growing in disobedience; no one is standing still (although some may move slower than others).
The third trait of those abiding in Christ is that they are resisting deceivers.
The world hates God’s truth. Deceivers claim that individuals can have Christ and they can have sin at the same time. They argue that sin is not really that big of a deal, or that people can abide in Christ and abide in sin simultaneously. We are not supposed to let anyone deceive us in this manner. Those who practice sin are of the devil. We resist deceivers by remembering this simple truth: Christ abides in those who abide in Him. And this means that it is impossible that we should be in the process of rebelling against Him and joining hands with the devil. The one who practices righteousness is righteous.
--Rob Brunansky; The Cripplegate; How to Prepare for the End of the World 9.21.23
==F. Dale Bruner======
F Dale Bruner
This text has been understood in two main ways. (1) Jesus opposes Moses, cancels Deuteronomy’s permission, and so contrasts divorce with God’s will “from the very beginning.” Deut 24 is not God’s will for Jesus at all; it is only Moses’ concession. Or (2) Jesus demotes Moses’ concession, subordinating Deuteronomy’s “Second Law” to Genesis’s “First Law.” Yet, this argument concedes, Deut 24 is God’s permitted, “second” will for some persons.
I understand the text in the second sense because Jesus does not say, antithetically, “You have heard of old, ‘Because of your hard-heartedness Moses permitted you to divorce your wives,’ but I say to you, this must no longer be the case.” Jesus does not substitute; he subordinates. He does not replace Moses’ teaching with his own but subjects Deuteronomy to Genesis. But Deuteronomy remains. Deuteronomy is the subordinated, concessioned, qualified, but still valid will of God… Matthew’s Jesus takes both laws, places them in a clear first and second place, and then seeks in every way possible to move his disciples to seek God’s first will.
…Jesus read Scripture discriminately, even hierarchically, placing some texts over others in authority. Scripture was not flat to Jesus; it had peaks and valleys, higher truth and subordinate truth…
Genesis (the “Beginning” Book) gives us God’s pristine will on marriage; Deuteronomy gives us God’s permissive will for failed marriage; Genesis is Primary Will, Deuteronomy is Secondary Will. For those to whom Jesus is Lord, these two teachings—of Genesis and of Deuteronomy—will not be seen as two equal or even close options, but as the Lord’s passionately-to-be-sought highest will and as his only finally, penitently-to-be-accepted last resort --Frederick Dale Bruner, Mathew: A Commentary; Volume 2
I understand the text in the second sense because Jesus does not say, antithetically, “You have heard of old, ‘Because of your hard-heartedness Moses permitted you to divorce your wives,’ but I say to you, this must no longer be the case.” Jesus does not substitute; he subordinates. He does not replace Moses’ teaching with his own but subjects Deuteronomy to Genesis. But Deuteronomy remains. Deuteronomy is the subordinated, concessioned, qualified, but still valid will of God… Matthew’s Jesus takes both laws, places them in a clear first and second place, and then seeks in every way possible to move his disciples to seek God’s first will.
…Jesus read Scripture discriminately, even hierarchically, placing some texts over others in authority. Scripture was not flat to Jesus; it had peaks and valleys, higher truth and subordinate truth…
Genesis (the “Beginning” Book) gives us God’s pristine will on marriage; Deuteronomy gives us God’s permissive will for failed marriage; Genesis is Primary Will, Deuteronomy is Secondary Will. For those to whom Jesus is Lord, these two teachings—of Genesis and of Deuteronomy—will not be seen as two equal or even close options, but as the Lord’s passionately-to-be-sought highest will and as his only finally, penitently-to-be-accepted last resort --Frederick Dale Bruner, Mathew: A Commentary; Volume 2
==andrew brunson======
National Prayer Breakfast 2023
Four keynote speakers will “call us to repentance,” publicity says. Those are Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of the late Billy Graham and sister to Franklin Graham; Carter Conlon, general overseer of Times Square Church in Manhattan; Andrew Brunson, an evangelical Presbyterian pastor who was imprisoned in Turkey for two years; and Jonathan Cahn, a Messianic Jew who is a pastor and taught that Donald Trump’s election as U.S. president was prophesied in the Bible.
--Baptist News Global: Museum of the Bible to host Wednesday morning event to pray for God’s judgment on America, and breakfast is not included 1.31.23
