Redeeming God

Liberating you from bad ideas about God

Learn the MOST ESSENTIAL truths for following Jesus.

Get FREE articles and audio teachings in my discipleship emails!


  • Join Us!
  • Scripture
  • Theology
  • My Books
  • About
  • Discipleship
  • Courses
    • What is Hell?
    • Skeleton Church
    • The Gospel According to Scripture
    • The Gospel Dictionary
    • The Re-Justification of God
    • What is Prayer?
    • Adventures in Fishing for Men
    • What are the Spiritual Gifts?
    • How to Study the Bible
    • Courses FAQ
  • Forum
    • Introduce Yourself
    • Old Testament
    • New Testament
    • Theology Questions
    • Life & Ministry

God is Not Just

By Jeremy Myers
5 Comments

God is Not Just
https://media.blubrry.com/one_verse/feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/962011042-redeeminggod-god-is-not-just.mp3

I’m back! 2020 was a rough year, and 2021 will likely be difficult as well, but I am going to try to get back into blogging and podcasting.

In this first episode of 2021, I explain the new format for my podcast, and discuss three things:

  1. My thoughts on the response of some Christian pastors and authors on the January 6, 2021 election protest in Washington DC
  2. Mailbag: How to know you have eternal life and did not commit the unforgivable sin.
  3. Why God is not just, the Bible does not talk about justice, and how we can respond to injustice.

Is God a God of love AND justice? Nope.

On the topic of justice, here is a brief summary of what I say in the podcast, and also what I will be teaching in my soon-to-be-released Gospel Dictionary lesson on justice:

“Justice” is not in the Bible. Indeed, the English word “justice” is not found anywhere in the New Testament of the King James Version.

The trouble with justice begins in the Bible translation. On the one hand, there are several Greek and Hebrew words that often get translated as “justice” and then then are several other English words that are used as translations for the Greek and Hebrew terms.

Usually, translation troubles come from one direction or the other. For example, we have one English word “love” that is often used to translate four different Greek words for love (agape, philia, eros, and storgē). Other times, there are numerous English words that are often used to translate one Greek word, such as both faith and belief being used as a translation for pistis. With the justice word family, both of these translation troubles exist.

With justice, the two main Greek terms are krisis (2920) and dikaiosunē (1342). However, as seen previously, the best translation for krisis is judgment; not justice (see Judgment). In the passages where krisis is translated as justice, the term judgment (and specially, the concept of properly naming or identifying something) is a better translation (cf. Matt 12:18, 20; 23:23; Luke 11:42; Acts 8:33). Therefore, it seems best to always translate krisis as judgment rather than justice.

That leaves the dikaiosunē word family. The dikaiosunē word family (including dikē, dikaios, dikaioō) is variously translated as justice, justification, justify, just, and righteousness and a few others. You will notice that the term righteousness and justification have no English semantic connection, and yet they are both used to translate the same Greek term, dikaiosunē. As argued elsewhere in The Gospel Dictionary, it is best, when translating a single Greek term and for clarity’s sake, to pick one English term and stick with it. No English reader who has little knowledge of Greek would ever imagine that a single Greek word lies behind the translation of both righteousness and justification. So it is of immense help to the English reader to pick a single English word (and its word family) as a translation for a single Greek word (and its word family).

With dikaiosunē, we have two English choices. We can choose the “just” word family (justice, justification, justify) or the “right” word family (righteous, rectification—or rightification, rectify—or rightify). Since “rightification” is not an English word, the initial inclination is to go with the “just” word family. However, the Greek term dikaiosunē is most literally translated “to make right.” Since, as seen above, the term justice is so misunderstood and misapplied today, it seems that using the right word family is the “right” way to translate the dikaiosunē word family.

The Hebrew words tsedeq (6664) and misphat (4941) have also been translated as justice, but tsedeq is best translated as “righteousness” and misphat as “judgment.” So again, justice is not in the Bible.

But righteousness is. When humans cry out for justice, what we really want is righteousness. We want things to be set right. And God’s way of achieving righteousness is far better and far different than the human, earthly way of seeking justice. In fact, the two are usually at polar opposites of the morality spectrum. The human methods of achieving justice are often seen as unrighteous by God, while the divine methods of righteousness are often viewed by humans as unfair, unjust, and irresponsible. So it is not true, as people claim, that God is a God of love and justice. Rather, God is a God of love and righteousness, and the two are not at odds with each other.

But justice and righteousness are at odds with each other. Human history, including biblical history, reveals that when humans call for justice, what they really want is vengeance. But God has said that vengeance is His and He will repay (Deut 32:35; Rom 12:19). And how does God exact vengeance? How does He repay people for the evil they have done? Jesus shows us how. When God sets out to repay people for the sins they have committed, He dies for them. He freely forgives them. This “justice” of God does not fit any human definition or understanding of justice.

Human justice calls for people to get what they deserve. To be punished in a similar measurement to the pain they have caused others. Divine “justice” extends only love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness, all of which are the exact opposite of what people deserve. This is why we cannot call it justice. It is righteousness, but it is not justice. It is as Gandhi said, “Justice that love gives is a surrender. Justice that law gives is a punishment.”

None of this is to say that injustice does not occur in this world. Quite to the contrary, injustice is everywhere, even (and especially) in the political and religious programs (which often become pogroms) for justice. Our world is awash with injustice. The biblical solution to injustice, however, is not a better form of justice. In the same way that more war is never the answer to war, so also “better justice” is never the answer to injustice. Why not? Because all forms of justice lead to greater injustice. In fact, cries for “justice” often hide the scapegoating mechanism. Scapegoats are never truly seen. If you are able to identify your scapegoat, he or she is not your scapegoat. People think a scapegoat truly is guilty, and therefore, killing or punishing them is not wrong, but is only justice. But scapegoating is always wrong, and scapegoating is always justified. Therefore, both scapegoating and cries for justice must be done away with.

So what can we do about injustice? We can follow the way of God. God’s answer to injustice is righteousness. The righteousness of God is based on forgiveness, restoration, reconciliation, and redemption (see Righteousness), terms that are not usually related to justice. It is usually not considered “justice” to forgive the one who wronged you. But it is righteous. It is usually not considered “justice” to reconcile with the one who hurt you, unless that other person is first forced to make reparations (often unjustly), but reconciliation is righteous. So it incorrect to say that God is a God of love and justice. He is not. God is love (1 John 4:8). God is holy (Isa 6:3). God is righteous but God is not just. And there is a vast difference.

God is Redeeming God, Redeeming Theology, z Bible & Theology Topics: forgiveness, judgment, justice, podcast, righteousness, social justice

Advertisement

Bob Dutko Interviews J. D. Myers about Faith

By Jeremy Myers
Leave a Comment

Bob Dutko Interviews J. D. Myers about Faith
http://media.blubrry.com/one_verse/feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/566815209-redeeminggod-142-bob-dutko-interviews-jeremy-myers-about-faith.mp3

Bob Dutko Jeremy MyersThe Bob Dutko Show (noon – 4pm, Mon-Fri) is Detroit’s number one talk Christian radio show. He is heard on radio stations across the country, making him one of the most listened to Christian talk show hosts in the United States. Go here to learn more about Bob Dutko.

Today he interviewed me about my book, What is Faith?

Here is a replay of this interview.

http://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/566815209-redeeminggod-142-bob-dutko-interviews-jeremy-myers-about-faith.mp3

 

God is Redeeming God, Redeeming Theology, z Bible & Theology Topics: belief, believe, Bob Dutko, Books by Jeremy Myers, Books I'm Writing, faith, interview, One Verse Podcast, podcast, what is faith

Advertisement

[#16] Genesis 1:24-25 – The Theology of Evolution

By Jeremy Myers
6 Comments

[#16] Genesis 1:24-25 – The Theology of Evolution
https://media.blubrry.com/one_verse/traffic.libsyn.com/redeeminggod/16_Genesis_1_24-25.mp3

While I do not believe that Genesis 1 speaks directly against the theory of evolution, I do believe that the theology behind the theory of evolution has been around a lot longer than the theory itself.

In fact, the theology behind the theory of evolution has been around since the very beginning.

The verses we will look at today, Genesis 1:24-25, speak directly against these theological ideas. Listen to this episode to learn how.

genesis 1:24-25 humans animals evolution

The Text of Genesis 1:24-25

Genesis 1:24-25. Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind”; and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

In this discussion of Genesis 1:24-25 we look at:

  • The first part of the sixth day of creation is the creation of the animals.
  • How the creation of the animals is different than the creation of the plants.
  • The three categories of animals that were created.
  • Similarities of Genesis 1:24-25 with other creation accounts, and how the Genesis account is polemical against them.
  • How Genesis 1:24-25 refutes the theology of evolution, even if it doesn’t speak to evolution itself.

Resources:

  • Become a Patron of the Podcast
  • Collins, Genesis 1-4 – Amazon or CBD
  • Hamilton, Genesis 1–17 – Amazon or CBD
  • Keil & Delitzsch, Genesis – Amazon or CBD
  • Morris, The Genesis Record – Amazon or CBD
  • Ross, H. The Genesis Question – Amazon
  • Sailhamer, EBC: Genesis – Amazon or CBD
  • Sailhamer, Genesis Unbound – Amazon
  • Walton, Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds – Amazon or CBD
  • Walton, Lost World of Genesis One, Amazon or CBD
  • Wenham, Genesis – Amazon or CBD
  • Babylonian Account of the Creation of the Beasts of the Field
  • fm – Helping you and your Theology Look Like Jesus
  • Subscribe and Leave a Review on iTunes

Downloadable Podcast Resources

Those who are part of my online discipleship group may download the MP3 audio file for this podcast and view the podcast transcript below.

You must join a discipleship group or login to download the MP3 and view the transcript.

Membership-become-a-member

Thanks for visiting this page ... but this page is for Discipleship Group members.

If you are already part of a Faith, Hope, or Love Discipleship Group,
Login here.

If you are part of the free "Grace" Discipleship group, you will need to
Upgrade your Membership to one of the paid groups.

If you are not part of any group, you may learn about the various groups and their benefits here:
Join Us Today.

Membership-become-a-member


Do you like learning about the Bible online?

Do you like learning about Scripture and theology through my podcast? If so, then you will also love my online courses. They all have MP3 audio downloads, PDF transcripts, quizzes, and a comment section for questions and interaction with other students.

If you want to deepen your relationship with God and better understand Scripture, take one (or all) of these courses. They are great for personal study or for a small group Bible study.

You can see the list of available courses here, and if you join the Discipleship group, you can take all the courses at no additional cost. Go here to learn more and join now.

God is Redeeming God, Redeeming Scripture, Redeeming Theology Bible & Theology Topics: creationism, evolution, Genesis 1:24-25, One Verse Podcast, podcast, theology

Advertisement

Books I Consult for Every Podcast Episode

By Jeremy Myers
1 Comment

Books I Consult for Every Podcast Episode

Here are some of the books I consult for every single episode of the One Verse Podcast:

Genesis books podcast

There are several more that are not in this picture… nor does this factor in the journal articles I read or books I use on Logos Bible Software.

And in case you are curious, here is my study method.

I hear that many podcasters just sit down to record their podcast, talk into a mic for an hour, and then they’re done.

My podcast episodes take a bit longer to prepare than that… Each 30 minute podcast takes about eight hours just to prepare. The picture above shows part of the reason why.

Sooo … is it worth it?

Well, I’m enjoying studying Genesis 1 and recording what I learn. I hope you enjoy listening to them!

If you do enjoy listening to the podcasts, would you use the share buttons below to invite others to subscribe, and then also leave a Rating and Review on iTunes? Thanks! There are instructions here for how to leave a Rating and Review.

God is Redeeming Scripture Bible & Theology Topics: Books I'm Reading, podcast

Advertisement

[#13] Genesis 1:14-19 (Part 3) – 7 Theological Insights from the Sun, Moon, and Stars

By Jeremy Myers
2 Comments

[#13] Genesis 1:14-19 (Part 3) – 7 Theological Insights from the Sun, Moon, and Stars
https://media.blubrry.com/one_verse/traffic.libsyn.com/redeeminggod/13_Genesis_1_14-19-p3.mp3

One Verse PodcastToday we conclude our 3 Part discussion of Genesis 1:14-19.

Previously, we learned that Moses did not intend to write a scientific explanation of how the sun, moon, and stars came into existence, but instead wanted the Hebrew people to understand how Yahweh was different and better than the gods of Canaan, Egypt, and Babylon, with which the Hebrew people were familiar.

In the previous episode, we really only saw that Moses was in fact writing a polemic against the gods of these other religions and cultures.

This episode concludes this study of Genesis 1:14-19 by showing the seven ways that Moses differentiates Yahweh from the deities of these surrounding nations and cultures.

Genesis 1:14-19 Sun moon and stars

The Text of Genesis 1:14-19

Genesis 1:14-19. Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light to the earth”; and it was so.

Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.

So the evening and the morning were the fourth day.

In this discussion of Genesis 1:14-19 we look at:

  • Why the sunrise is not the pinnacle of creation.
  • Why Moses waited until Day 4 to introduce the sun, moon, and stars.
  • Why time existed prior to the sun, moon, and stars.
  • The significance of Moses not even naming the sun and moon.
  • The theological truth about the stars being nearly ignored on Day 4.
  • The reason Moses repeats the phrase, “and it was evening, and it was morning.”
  • The truth that God faces no battles for our continued, daily existence.

Resources:

  • Theology.fm – Helping you and your Theology Look Like Jesus
  • Atkinson, Genesis 1-11 – Amazon or CBD
  • Greidanus, Preaching Christ, Amazon or CBD
  • Hamilton, Genesis 1–17 – Amazon or CBD
  • Hasel Article on Genesis 1
  • Johnston Article on Genesis 1
  • Miller and Soden, In the Beginning – Amazon or CBD
  • Ross, Creation & Blessing – Amazon or CBD
  • Wenham, Genesis – Amazon or CBD
  • Subscribe and Leave a Review on iTunes

Downloadable Podcast Resources

Those who are part of my online discipleship group may download the MP3 audio file for this podcast and view the podcast transcript below.

You must join a discipleship group or login to download the MP3 and view the transcript.

Membership-become-a-member

Thanks for visiting this page ... but this page is for Discipleship Group members.

If you are already part of a Faith, Hope, or Love Discipleship Group,
Login here.

If you are part of the free "Grace" Discipleship group, you will need to
Upgrade your Membership to one of the paid groups.

If you are not part of any group, you may learn about the various groups and their benefits here:
Join Us Today.

Membership-become-a-member


Do you like learning about the Bible online?

Do you like learning about Scripture and theology through my podcast? If so, then you will also love my online courses. They all have MP3 audio downloads, PDF transcripts, quizzes, and a comment section for questions and interaction with other students.

If you want to deepen your relationship with God and better understand Scripture, take one (or all) of these courses. They are great for personal study or for a small group Bible study.

You can see the list of available courses here, and if you join the Discipleship group, you can take all the courses at no additional cost. Go here to learn more and join now.

God is Redeeming God, Redeeming Scripture Bible & Theology Topics: Bible Study Podcast, creation, evolution, Genesis 1:14-19, podcast

Advertisement

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • …
  • 7
  • Next Page »
Join the discipleship group
Learn about the gospel and how to share it

Take my new course:

The Gospel According to Scripture
Best Books Every Christian Should Read
Study Scripture with me
Subscribe to my Podcast on iTunes
Subscribe to my Podcast on Amazon

Do you like my blog?
Try one of my books:

Click the image below to see what books are available.

Books by Jeremy Myers

Take Online Courses
with N. T. Wright

Choose from Six Courses:
*N. T. Wright on Jesus
*N. T. Wright on Romans
*N. T. Wright on Galatians
*N. T. Wright on Philippians
*N. T. Wright on the Gospel
*N. T. Wright on Worldviews

Theological Study Archives

  • Theology – General
  • Theology Introduction
  • Theology of the Bible
  • Theology of God
  • Theology of Man
  • Theology of Sin
  • Theology of Jesus
  • Theology of Salvation
  • Theology of the Holy Spirit
  • Theology of the Church
  • Theology of Angels
  • Theology of the End Times
  • Theology Q&A

Bible Study Archives

  • Bible Studies on Genesis
  • Bible Studies on Esther
  • Bible Studies on Psalms
  • Bible Studies on Jonah
  • Bible Studies on Matthew
  • Bible Studies on Luke
  • Bible Studies on Romans
  • Bible Studies on Ephesians
  • Miscellaneous Bible Studies

Advertise or Donate

  • Advertise on RedeemingGod.com
  • Donate to Jeremy Myers

Search (and you Shall Find)

Get Books by Jeremy Myers

Books by Jeremy Myers

Schedule Jeremy for an interview

Click here to Contact Me!

© 2023 Redeeming God · All Rights Reserved · Powered by Knownhost and the Genesis Framework