Tag: christianity

evangelism

Our Weapons Are The Best!

Bob SnyderLeave a comment

With the assassination of Charlie Kirk, we saw the enemy use his minions to end the earthly life of a man. He shot a bullet that took Kirk’s life. It failed to stop him. It galvanized support for him, and his work. Murder, death, lies, and perversion are some of the weapons our enemy wields. Our weapons are the truth of God’s word, love, and the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. When we take our shot, it brings a dead man to life. He is crucified with Christ, and becomes our brother. The elect man, at the appointed time, will by no means, fail to come into the kingdom of God. God does not attempt to save a man, and fail. We see that demons, and angels, wield human armies like we wield swords in the book of Daniel.

We read in Ephesians 6, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” If we want to fight, let it be with the gospel, and the word of God. “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.”
(Hebrews 4:12-13 [NASB])

We are victorious in Christ!
Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.
(I Corinthians 15:50-58 [NASB])

The Armor of God

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts. Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love.(Ephesians 6:10-24 [NASB])

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Given Over To Strong Delusion?

Bob SnyderLeave a comment

I think the following citations from God’s word can help us understand what is going on in the world today, yesterday, and tomorrow. There are times when God judiciously gives people over to delusion. This compounds their guilt. In 2 Thessalonians 2:11 the Greek words used are ἐνέργειαν πλάνης energeian planēs. Energeian is a noun, that is accusative, feminine, and singular. It usually means working, effectual working, power, and energy. Planēs is a noun, that is genitive, feminine, and singular. It usually means error, delusion, or deception. According to Webster’s Dictionary online, in English the word, delusional means;

“a
: something that is falsely or delusively believed or propagated
under the delusion that they will finish on schedule
delusions of grandeur
b
psychology : a persistent false psychotic belief regarding the self or persons or objects outside the self that is maintained despite indisputable evidence to the contrary
the delusion that someone was out to hurt him
also : the abnormal state marked by such beliefs”

Think along the lines of a spirit that makes them delusional. Keep in mind that spirit/mind are alike. Your spirit is how you as an individual understands things, and reasons. God the Father is spirit, and must be worshipped in spirit, and truth. The task of understanding this is impossible for us to correctly apprehend in scope, and scale. We can, however, understand it in a way that is sufficient for God’s requirements in the faith. Imagine an unimaginably vast intellect that does not have a physical body. This description falls far short of God the Father. Angels are spiritual beings. Lying ones are demonic. Satan is the father of lies. It makes sense that the demons would also be liars/deceivers. So, the English translation is quite accurate. God, Himself is not lying, nor is He deceiving them. Rather, He sends an influence that causes them to believe what is not true. It is a judicial punishment. Since people behave in accord with what they believe, you will see them acting the way they are acting now, and have acted, and will continue to act.

Have you asked yourself how a person given over to trans ideology can believe what they say believe in light of the objective truth of their sex? This is how. It is the same in the first chapter of Romans. God punishes sin, by giving them over to more sin. Imagine continuing in sin, and then greater sin, and then dying, and going to hell. Their guilt before God has been increased. It would have been more merciful for them to have died sooner, but instead, they live their life, sinning more. Some people will repent. These people are of the eternally elect. This isn’t just a New Testament occurrence. I included a couple references from the Old Testament as well.

And for this reason God sends upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, 2 Thessalonians 2:11 (LSB)

24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. Romans 1:24 (LSB)

9 He said, “Go, and tell this people:
‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand;
Keep on seeing, but do not know.’
10 Render the hearts of this people insensitive,
Their ears dull,
And their eyes dim,
Lest they see with their eyes,
And hear with their ears,
And understand with their hearts,
And return and be healed.” Isaiah 6:9-10 (LSB)

12 And Yahweh hardened Pharaoh’s heart with strength, and he did not listen to them, just as Yahweh had spoken to Moses. Exodus 9:12 (LSB)

39 For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah said again, 40 “HE HAS BLINDED THEIR EYES AND HE HARDENED THEIR HEART, LEST THEY SEE WITH THEIR EYES AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART, AND RETURN AND I HEAL THEM.” John 12:39-40 (LSB)

10 And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” 11 And Jesus answered and said to them, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says,
‘YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND;
YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE;
15 FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL,
AND WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR,
AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES,
LEST THEY WOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES,
HEAR WITH THEIR EARS,
AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN,
AND I WOULD HEAL THEM.’
16 But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. 17 For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. Matthew 13:10-17 (LSB)

Don’t give up on trying to reach the lost, and deluded. Some of them are of the eternally elect. They may not have reached the point in their lives yet where they will have their eyes opened by God, and respond with God granted repentance, and faith, to the good news of Jesus’ atoning suffering on the cross.

Not to make you hopeless, I want to remind you that God’s word also says, “And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11 (LSB)” This was in reference to “9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (LSB)” You can see that this list includes some of the same sins that people are given over to. So, keep preaching the gospel, praying, and helping your lost friends, and family, to understand the truth. You never know. One day they might get it. It is only too late once the person has died. While they are alive, keep trying. Keep telling them the truth in love. Keep coming to God in prayer for them. Keep telling them that they need to repent of their sins, and trust solely in the work of Jesus.

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Calvin on Idolatry: Citations from, “The Institutes of the Christian Religion.”

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References to Idolatry and Idols in Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion

John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion remains one of the most influential works in Protestant theology. Across its four books, Calvin addresses the knowledge of God, salvation in Christ, the life of faith, and the nature of the Church.

Among these themes, Calvin frequently warns against idolatry — the worship of created things instead of the Creator. His discussions span biblical prohibitions, theological arguments, and critiques of both ancient paganism and medieval church practices.

The following is a curated reference guide highlighting where Calvin speaks about idolatry, idols, and related practices in the Institutes. Each citation is organized by Book, Chapter, and Section, and includes a brief quotation for context.

This guide is designed for students, pastors, researchers, or anyone interested in tracing Calvin’s thoughts on one of the central theological concerns of the Reformation.

Table of Contents

Book 1: Of the Knowledge of God the Creator

Chapter 10: In Scripture, the True God Opposed, Exclusively, to All the Gods of the Heathen

“Tertullian also proves the same thing from the common forms of speech. In his book, De Idolatria.” (Mentions “idolatry” in the title of Tertullian’s work.)

“For this reason, Habakkuk (2:20), after condemning all idols, orders men to seek God in his temple, that the faithful may acknowledge none but Him, who has manifested himself in his word.” (Mentions “idols”.)

Chapter 11: Impiety of Attributing a Visible Form to God—The Setting Up of Idols a Defection from the True God

Section 1: “Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments” (Exod. 20:4-6). (Implicit reference to idols/images.)

Section 8: “There was a kind of renewal of the world at the deluge, but before many years elapse, men are forging gods at will. … The human mind, stuffed as it is with presumptuous rashness, dares to imagine a god suited to its own capacity; as it labours under dullness, nay, is sunk in the grossest ignorance, it substitutes vanity and an empty phantom in the place of God.” (Mentions “idolatry”, “idols”.)

“To these evils another is added. The god whom man has thus conceived inwardly he attempts to embody outwardly. The mind, in this way, conceives the idol, and the hand gives it birth. That idolatry has its origin in the idea which men have, that God is not present with them unless his presence is carnally exhibited…” (Mentions “idol”, “idolatry”.)

Section 9: “And because God wills not to be worshipped superstitiously whatever is bestowed upon idols is so much robbed from him. Let those attend to this who set about hunting for miserable pretexts in defence of the execrable idolatry…” (Mentions “idols”, “idolatry”.)

“It hence appears that men do not fall away to the worship of images until they have imbibed some idea of a grosser description… It makes no difference whether they worship the idol simply, or God in the idol; it is always idolatry when divine honours are paid to an idol, be the colour what it may.” (Mentions “idol”, “idolatry”.)

Section 10: “…they fight for them to blood and slaughter, as for their altars and hearths, showing more willingness to part with the one God than with their idols… I am only referring to what those profess who are most desirous to clear themselves of idolatry.” (Mentions “idols”, “idolatry”.)

Section 11: “…they think themselves blameless if they are only the servants, and not the worshippers, of idols; as if it were not a lighter matter to worship than to serve… Let them show how the things differ if they would be thought different from ancient idolaters.” (Mentions “idols”, “idolaters”.)

Chapter 12: God Distinguished from Idols, That He May Be the Exclusive Object of Worship

Section 1: “But God, in vindicating his own right, first proclaims that he is a jealous God, and will be a stern avenger if he is confounded with any false god…” (Implicit reference to idolatry through “false god”.)

Section 3: “Let it suffice to remember, that whatever offices of piety are bestowed anywhere else than on God alone, are of the nature of sacrilege. First, superstition attached divine honours to the sun and stars, or to idols…” (Mentions “idols”.)

Book 2: Of the Knowledge of God the Redeemer

Chapter 8: Exposition of the Moral Law

Section 12: “…in enumerating the commandments, he follows this order, Let one God be religiously obeyed, let no idol be worshipped…” (Mentions “idol”.)

Section 15: “…abandoning the living God, and setting up an idol.” (Mentions “idol”.)

Section 17: “The grossest vice here prohibited is external idolatry.” (Mentions “idolatry”.)

Book 3: The Mode of Obtaining the Grace of Christ

Chapter 14: The Beginning of Justification

Section 1: “Mankind, either endued with no knowledge of God, are sunk in idolatry…” (Mentions “idolatry”.)

Section 2 (footnote): “…in the life of infidels and idolaters.” (Mentions “idolaters”.)

Chapter 20: Of Prayer

Section 14: “…they defraud him of his due honour just as much as if they were fabricating to themselves new gods and idols…” (Mentions “idols”.)

Book 4: Of the Holy Catholic Church

Chapter 2: Comparison Between the False Church and the True

Section 7: “…after they forsook the law of the Lord, and degenerated into idolatry and superstition…” (Mentions “idolatry”.)

Section 9: “They have a grosser idolatry…” (Mentions “idolatry”.)

Chapter 7: Of the Beginning and Rise of the Romish Papacy

Section 24: “…so blinded by error and sunk in idolatry…” (Mentions “idolatry”.)

Section 29: “…no more makes them the vicars of Christ, than it makes an idol to become God, when it is placed in the temple of God (2 Thess. 2:4).” (Mentions “idol”.)

Chapter 16: Paedobaptism

Section 6: “…so long as they were plunged in idolatry, were strangers to the covenant (Eph. 2:11).” (Mentions “idolatry”.)

Chapter 17: Of the Lord’s Supper

Section 36: “This adoration is mere idolatry.” (Mentions “idolatry”.)

Source: John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, available at CCEL.org.

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Scripture Citations on God’s Sovereignty, Election, Aseity, and Omniscience.

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This document compiles key Bible passages from the 1995 New American Standard Bible (NASB), English Standard Version (ESV), and Legacy Standard Bible (LSB) that address God’s sovereignty in election and predestination (of nations and individuals), His use of people for His purposes (including non-believers like Pharaoh), and His attributes of aseity and omniscience.

  1. God’s Sovereignty in Election and Predestination
    God’s sovereignty in election refers to His divine choice of nations (e.g., Israel) and individuals for salvation or specific purposes, rooted in His will, not human merit. Predestination describes His foreordaining of events or people’s destinies.
    Romans 9:10-18 (Election of Individuals and Nations)
    Context: Paul explains God’s sovereign choice in electing Jacob over Esau and Israel as His chosen nation, emphasizing that election depends on God’s purpose, not human works.

ESV (quoted): “And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls—she was told, ‘The older will serve the younger.’ As it is written, ‘Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.’ What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! For he says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’ So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, ‘For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.’ So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.” (Romans 9:10-18)
NASB 1995: Similar, uses “loved”/“hated” for Jacob/Esau; “running” instead of “exertion” in v.15.
LSB: Uses “Yahweh” in quotes (e.g., v.15, citing Moses); “slave” for “servant” in some contexts.
Note: This passage links election (Jacob, Israel) with God’s use of Pharaoh (see section 2).

Ephesians 1:4-5 (Predestination of Individuals)
Context: Paul describes believers as chosen by God before creation for salvation.

LSB (quoted): “Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.” (Ephesians 1:4-5)
NASB 1995/ESV: Nearly identical; ESV uses “predestined” consistently, NASB capitalizes “Him.”
Note: Emphasizes predestination as God’s initiative, not human action.

Deuteronomy 7:6-8 (Election of Israel)
Context: God chooses Israel as His covenant people, not due to their merit but His love and promise.

NASB 1995 (quoted): “For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but because the LORD loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers…” (Deuteronomy 7:6-8)
ESV: Similar, uses “treasured possession” for “own possession.”
LSB: Uses “Yahweh” for “LORD”; otherwise aligned.
Note: Highlights national election based on God’s covenant, not Israel’s qualities.

Additional Citations

John 15:16 (NASB/ESV/LSB): Jesus says, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you” (individual election of disciples).
Acts 13:48 (NASB/ESV/LSB): Gentiles believe as “appointed to eternal life,” showing divine appointment.
Romans 8:29-30 (NASB/ESV/LSB): Describes the “golden chain” of predestination, calling, justification, and glorification.
2 Thessalonians 2:13 (NASB/ESV/LSB): Believers chosen “from the beginning” for salvation.

  1. God’s Use of People for His Purposes (Including Non-Believers)
    God sovereignly uses both believers and non-believers to accomplish His will, as seen in Pharaoh’s hardening or Cyrus’s role in Israel’s restoration.
    Exodus 7:3-4; 9:16 (Hardening of Pharaoh’s Heart)
    Context: God hardens Pharaoh’s heart to demonstrate His power and glory through the Exodus.

ESV (quoted): “But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, Pharaoh will not listen to you…” (Exodus 7:3-4); “But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.” (Exodus 9:16)
NASB 1995: Uses “make Pharaoh’s heart stubborn” for “harden”; similar in 9:16.
LSB: Uses “Yahweh” and “make stubborn” in 7:3; identical in 9:16.
Note: Pharaoh, a non-believer, is used to magnify God’s name, showing His control over human will.

Isaiah 45:1-5 (Cyrus as God’s Instrument)
Context: God anoints Cyrus, a pagan king, to deliver Israel, despite Cyrus not knowing Him.

LSB (quoted): “Thus says Yahweh to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have strengthened… ‘I will go before you… that you may know that I am Yahweh, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name. For the sake of My servant Jacob and Israel My chosen one, I have also called you by your name… though you have not known Me.’” (Isaiah 45:1, 4-5)
NASB 1995/ESV: Use “LORD” instead of “Yahweh”; ESV has “grasped” for “strengthened.”
Note: God uses a non-believer for His redemptive plan, showing sovereignty over nations.

Additional Citations

Habakkuk 1:6 (NASB/ESV/LSB): God raises the Chaldeans (Babylonians) to judge Judah, using a pagan nation.
John 19:10-11 (NASB/ESV/LSB): Jesus tells Pilate his authority comes from God, despite Pilate’s unbelief.
Romans 9:17 (NASB/ESV/LSB): Reiterates Exodus 9:16 about Pharaoh’s role.

  1. God’s Aseity and Omniscience
    Aseity: God’s self-existence, independent of creation, needing nothing outside Himself. Omniscience: God’s perfect, complete knowledge of all things, past, present, and future.
    Isaiah 46:9-10 (God’s Omniscience and Sovereignty)
    Context: God declares His unique knowledge and control over history.

NASB 1995 (quoted): “Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.’” (Isaiah 46:9-10)
ESV: Uses “counsel” for “purpose”; otherwise similar.
LSB: Uses “Yahweh” and “counsel”; aligns closely.
Note: Shows God’s omniscience (knowing the end from the beginning) and aseity (unique, self-existent).

John 1:1-3 (God’s Aseity)
Context: The Word (Christ) is eternal, uncreated, and the source of all creation.

ESV (quoted): “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1:1-3)
NASB 1995/LSB: Nearly identical; LSB capitalizes “Him” consistently.
Note: Establishes God’s self-existence, as He preexists and creates all things.

Psalm 139:1-4, 16 (God’s Omniscience)
Context: David marvels at God’s complete knowledge of him, including future events.

LSB (quoted): “O Yahweh, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar… Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Yahweh, You know it all… Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book all were written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.” (Psalm 139:1-2, 4, 16)
NASB 1995/ESV: Use “LORD” for “Yahweh”; ESV has “discern” for “understand.”
Note: Highlights God’s omniscience in knowing all actions, thoughts, and preordained days.

Additional Citations

Acts 17:24-25 (NASB/ESV/LSB): God, as Creator, “does not dwell in temples made with hands” and needs nothing (aseity).
Hebrews 4:13 (NASB/ESV/LSB): “All things are open and laid bare” to God, showing omniscience.
1 John 3:20 (NASB/ESV/LSB): God “knows all things,” affirming His complete knowledge.

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God’s Sovereign Election: The Early Church and the Timeless God

Bob SnyderLeave a comment

Hey there, folks! Grab your coffee, your Bible, and a comfy chair. We’re diving into a topic that sets my heart on fire: God’s sovereign election. I’m no ivory-tower theologian. I’ve been digging into Scripture and the early church fathers. Let me tell you. The idea that God picked His people before the world was spoken into existence isn’t just some Calvinist flex. It’s rooted deep in the Bible, echoed by the early Christians before Nicaea (A.D. 325), and flows straight from God’s awesome nature as the trans-temporal, omnipresent, spacetime-transcending King. I’m pulling from the 10-volume Ante-Nicene Fathers (ANF) collection, free for all you theology nerds at www.ccel.org, to show how those old-school Christians talked about God’s eternal choice. Big thanks to Reformed champs like Monergism.com, Grace to You, Ligonier.org, DesiringGod.org, The Gospel Coalition, and A Puritan’s Mind for the pointers. Let’s unpack this, crack a few smiles, and marvel at a God who’s bigger than time itself.

God isn’t stuck in our timeline, ticking off days like we do. He’s trans-temporal, existing outside and above time, omnipresent in every moment, and transcending the spacetime we’re locked in. This means His choice of the elect happened in eternity past, before “In the beginning,” because He sees all history at once. His sovereign election had to happen that way—He’s not waiting around to see who picks Him. But here’s the kicker: you and I, stuck in our Monday-to-Friday grind, don’t have to wrap our heads around this eternal act to be saved. It’s true forever in God’s realm, whether we get it or not. More on that later. For now, know that the early Christians weren’t writing Westminster Confession drafts over chariot races. They were battling heresies like Gnosticism, defending the faith, and explaining why Jesus isn’t another pagan deity. Their words aren’t always systematic. When you read them with Ephesians 1:4-5 in mind, “he chose us in him before the foundation of the world… having predestined us,” you see glimmers of a God who’s timelessly sovereign. I’ll define election, walk through the ANF quotes, tie in God’s timelessness, and wrap up with why this matters for us time-bound creatures.

What’s Sovereign Election, and Why Does God’s Timelessness Matter?

Let’s break it down. Sovereign election is God, in His infinite wisdom, love, and power, choosing His people for salvation before time even started. It’s not because we were holy, prayerful, or had a stellar testimony. Nope, it’s His call, His grace, and His plan. Predestination seals the deal. God didn’t just pick His people. He set their eternal destiny, think golden tickets to glory, before He kicked off creation. John Piper at DesiringGod.org calls it “unconditional grace from eternity past.” R.C. Sproul’s crew at Ligonier.org says it’s God’s “eternal decree.” He’s the boss, no debate.

Here’s where it gets wild. God isn’t bound by clocks or calendars. He’s trans-temporal, meaning He exists outside time’s flow, seeing past, present, and future all at once. He’s omnipresent, everywhere and everywhen, and He transcends spacetime, the fabric we’re stuck in. This isn’t just cool theology. It’s why election happens in eternity past. God doesn’t choose based on what we do in time—He’s already planned it from His eternal now, where every moment is present to Him. Picture it like God’s got the whole movie of history playing at once, and He wrote the script before the opening credits. That’s why Ephesians 1:4 says “before the foundation of the world.” His timeless nature demands a sovereign choice that’s not reacting to our temporal choices.

But here’s the comfort for us time-trapped folks: we don’t have to see or understand this eternal act to be saved. God’s eternal choice is true in His realm, where time doesn’t limit Him. In our temporal existence, we experience faith, repentance, and growth step by step. We don’t need to peek behind the eternal curtain to trust Jesus. His timeless decree holds firm, even if we’re just trying to survive Monday. Reformed sites, like Monergism.com, Grace to You, and A Puritan’s Mind, show the early fathers were picking up this notion. Irenaeus, for instance, links predestination to God’s love-driven choice, not a sneak peek at our decisions. Arminians or Orthodox folks might argue the fathers meant foreseen faith. This is just silly. It would violate God’s omniscience. He would be looking forward to learn who would choose Him. When you read these texts, God’s “foreknowledge” looks like Him setting the stage, not watching our audition. Let’s see what the early Church thought.

The Early Church Fathers: Echoes of a Timeless God’s Election

The Ante-Nicene Fathers collection is a theological treasure chest, packed with writings from guys like Clement of Rome, Ignatius, and Tertullian, who were preaching, teaching, and fighting for the faith. You won’t find “predestination” on every page. Greek terms like proorizo (“determine beforehand”) are rare. Words like “foreknown,” “ordained,” “chosen,” and “elect” show up in ways that point to a God who’s above time, choosing His people in His eternal now. I’ve scoured the ANF, with help from Reformed sites, and organized the gems by volume, grouping them into three themes: (1) God’s foreknowledge as His timeless blueprint, (2) Predestination to adoption, glory, and sonship, and (3) The elect picked before time existed.

Volume 1: Clement, Ignatius, Justin Martyr, and Irenaeus

Starting with Volume 1, we’ve got the heavy hitters. Clement of Rome, in 1 Clement (Ch. 32:4), says, “We, therefore, who have been called by His will in Christ Jesus, are not justified by ourselves… but by that faith through which Almighty God has justified all men from the beginning.” Plain and simple? God’s been calling His people forever. It’s His work, not ours. No gold stars for effort.

Clement keeps it going in Ch. 46:7-8; 49:5-6; 59:2; 64:1: “Let us cleave unto those to whom grace is given from God… By love are all the elect of God made perfect… For He foreknowing all things, He knoweth the thoughts of our hearts… [God] has predestinated us from the beginning unto adoption as sons by Jesus Christ unto Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.” A Puritan’s Mind loves this. God’s foreknowledge isn’t Him checking our future box score. It’s His timeless, eternal choice, made outside our calendar, picking His people before the world was a sketch, all by His grace, love, and will.

Ignatius, in his Epistle to the Ephesians (Introduction), calls the church “predestined before the ages… that is, to the eternal and unchangeable glory.” In Magnesians (Ch. 8), he adds, “The elect are those who are united to Him… predestined in the counsel of God.” DesiringGod.org sees this as election before the Big Bang, rooted in God’s trans-temporal counsel, where “before the ages” is His eternal now. I’m like, “That’s my God!”

Justin Martyr, in First Apology (Ch. 43), writes, “We have been formed after His likeness, predestinated according to the prescience of the Father, that we, who had as yet no existence, might come into being.” Grace to You says this is God’s sovereign plan, made outside time’s limits. His prescience isn’t a prediction but a timeless decree.

Irenaeus, taking on Gnostic cultists in Against Heresies (Bk. 4, Ch. 37:5), says, “God hath completed the number which He before determined with Himself, all those who are written, or ordained unto eternal life… Being predestined indeed according to the love of the Father.” In Bk. 3, Ch. 16:6: “Those whom God foreknew He also predestined… God foreknowing all things, prepared fit habitations for both.” Monergism.com agrees with this. God’s eternal headcount of the elect, set by His love before time existed, shows His trans-temporal nature calling the shots.

Volumes 2 to 4: Apologetic All-Stars: Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, and Origen

In Volume 2, Clement of Alexandria in Stromata (Bk. 5, Ch. 14) says, “The elect of God are saved… those who before the foundation of the world are known intimately by God unto faith; that is, are appointed by Him to faith.” In Instructor (Bk. 1, Ch. 7), he adds, “The Lord… predestined us to adoption as children.” Monergism.com notes this is God handpicking folks for faith in His eternal now, before the universe got its building permit.

Tertullian, in Against Marcion (Bk. 5, Ch. 6), declares, “Predestined by God before the world was… to be conformed to the image of His Son.” Ligonier.org loves how this ties God’s timeless plan to shaping us like Jesus, outside the bounds of spacetime.

Origen, a bit of a wild card, says in De Principiis (Bk. 1, Ch. 6), “The elect are those foreordained by God… from the beginning.” In commentaries, he adds, “Chosen before the world.” The Gospel Coalition points out this reflects a God who transcends time, choosing His elect in eternity. Origen’s theology can get wonky, but this part works with God’s timeless sovereignty.

Volumes 5 to 10: The Later Crew: Hippolytus, Novatian, Methodius, and Lactantius

In Volume 5, Hippolytus in Refutation of All Heresies (Bk. 1, Preface) says, “The elect are called according to His purpose… predestined unto glory.” Novatian, in Treatise on the Trinity (Ch. 1), adds, “God… foreknowing and predestining the faithful.”

Methodius, in Banquet of the Ten Virgins (Disc. 8), writes, “Predestined to be conformed to the image… from the foundation.” Lactantius, in Divine Institutions (Bk. 7, Ch. 4), says, “God has foreordained the elect to eternal life.” These all point to a God whose eternal, trans-temporal will sets the elect’s destiny before time began.

Volumes 8 to 10 are like bonus tracks. They include apocryphal stuff and indices that don’t add much new but echo God’s timeless choice.

Why This Matters for Us Time-Bound Folks

So, what’s the takeaway? These early Christians, writing 1,800 years ago, show that God’s sovereign election isn’t a Reformation invention. It’s a golden thread through Christian history, woven by a God who’s trans-temporal, omnipresent, and above spacetime. He chose His people, set their course for glory, and locked it in before the stars lit up, all because His eternal perspective sees every moment at once. The Gospel Coalition says this aligns with Reformed truth. I’ll be fair. Some Arminians or Orthodox folks see more room for free will or foreseen faith in these texts. When I read Clement, Irenaeus, and their contemporaries, I hear a God whose timeless sovereignty rules, especially when they’re shutting down heretics trying to steal His glory.

Here’s the beauty for us time-bound creatures. We don’t have to grasp God’s eternal, trans-temporal decree to be saved. His choice in eternity past is true in His realm, where time doesn’t bind Him. In our temporal lives, we experience faith, repentance, and growth one day at a time. We don’t need to see the eternal blueprint to trust Jesus. It’s like trusting the architect while living in the house. Life’s messy: bills, kids, and that neighbor who mows at 7 a.m. Knowing God chose us before time began, in His eternal now? That’s a spiritual hug from the Creator. It humbles me, fuels my gratitude, and gives me confidence that He’s got this. Check out the ANF at ccel.org yourself. Dive into the old-school wisdom. What stirs your soul? How does God’s timeless grace shape your walk? Drop a comment below. Let’s chew on this together!

communism · cultural · God · gospel · government

The Satanic Roots of Ideological Subversion

Bob SnyderLeave a comment

The Satanic Roots of Ideological Subversion: How Demoralization Plays Right Into Total Depravity

Folks, if you’ve been paying attention to the world around us, you’ve probably noticed how everything seems upside down these days. Truth gets twisted, right is called wrong, and wrong gets paraded as some kind of victim. Yuri Bezmenov, that former KGB defector, nailed it back in the 80s when he spilled the beans on how the Soviets planned to take down societies like ours without firing a shot. He called it “ideological subversion,” and the first step, demoralization, sounds an awful lot like the Devil’s playbook. As a Christian who’s spent years digging into God’s Word, I see this not just as sneaky politics, but as a straight-up satanic attack that exploits the sin-enslaved nature of the lost. The doctrine of Total Depravity explains how this works. Let’s break it down, because if we don’t call this out with biblical truth, we’re just playing into the enemy’s hands.

Bezmenov laid it out plain: Demoralization takes 15-20 years to brainwash a generation through schools, media, and even churches. He said it’s about eroding moral standards so people can’t tell right from wrong anymore. “A person who was demoralized is unable to assess true information,” he warned in his lectures. Facts, proofs, even pictures—none of it sinks in. In law and order, it’s especially nasty: Criminals get painted as poor victims of society, while cops and real victims are treated like the bad guys. “A criminal is not a criminal, actually. He’s a defendant… Nice fellow,” Bezmenov quipped. Meanwhile, the justice system gets mocked as oppressive.

His KGB buddies like Anatoliy Golitsyn, Ion Mihai Pacepa, and Stanislav Levchenko backed this up with their own stories. Golitsyn talked about long-term deceptions to make the West doubt its own foundations. Pacepa exposed how they used “disinformation” to frame the innocent and hype up the guilty, stirring up chaos in the name of liberation. Levchenko showed how they infiltrated media to divide people, turning protectors into villains. It’s all connected, a calculated inversion of morality that leaves societies ripe for collapse.

We can see the media doing this. They’ve been at it for a long time now. We can see the corrupt leftist Prosecutors punishing 70 year old grandmothers for praying outside of abortion clinics while letting thugs kill grandmothers in the streets. We can see the media glorifying the criminal, and demonizing the victims. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “How can this be? How can anyone see this as good, and just? This is madness!” Here is the answer. It is intentional. The satanic left uses communism to increase human death, and suffering. They are anti-human, because they are anti-Christ. If you can get under this idea, and grab onto it, you can finally open your eyes to the evil that is corrupting our world.

Now, let’s get into the Bible here. This isn’t just human cunning; it’s satanic to the core because it preys on total depravity. Romans 3:10-18 spells it out: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” We’re all corrupted mind, heart, and sin-enslaved from the start. Demoralization doesn’t invent that; it fans the flames, making us even more blind to God’s truth. Jeremiah 17:9 calls the heart “deceitful above all things, and desperately sick.” Without the Holy Spirit opening our eyes, we’re suckers for these lies.

Satan’s the master inverter. Jesus pegged him in John 8:44 as “a liar and the father of lies,” with zero truth in him. He flips God’s order: Isaiah 5:20 woes those who “call evil good and good evil.” Sound familiar? Not prosecuting criminals while treating victims like suspects? That’s perverting justice, which Deuteronomy 16:19 flat-out forbids. Proverbs 17:15 says justifying the wicked and condemning the righteous is “an abomination to the Lord.” This fake mercy Bezmenov described sympathizing with crooks while slamming the law, it’s void of any real goodness. It’s demonic, straight from the “prince of the power of the air” in Ephesians 2:2, working through “sons of disobedience.”

I’ve seen this play out in my own life and in the church. Back when I was younger, I bought into some cultural lies until the Word of God me straight. Just like Bezmenov’s “useful idiots” who help their own downfall, we Christians can get duped if we’re not vigilant. History shows it too. Think of how false prophets like Joseph Smith twisted truth, as I’ve written before. The early Church fathers like Augustine warned against letting sin slide, tying back to God’s command in Genesis to be fruitful, not fearful.

In the end, this demoralization is satanic because it rejects God’s absolute standards for a mushy relativism where everyone does “what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). But praise God, there’s hope in the Gospel. Though we’re totally depraved, Christ regenerates us (John 3:3), giving us power to resist. Put on that armor of God from Ephesians 6:11, folks. Discern the lies, proclaim biblical justice, and repent if you’ve been swayed. Trust Him over the world’s schemes—because in Christ, the light crushes the darkness every time.

What do you think? Spotting this in today’s headlines? Drop a comment and let’s discuss. And if this hits home, share it—time to wake up the Church.

Eastern Orthodoxy · heresy · roman catholicism

Mariology From the Bible, Not Tradition.

Bob SnyderLeave a comment

Here is a list of distinct passages where Mary the mother of Jesus is mentioned, removing the near-duplicates (like where the same story is retold across Gospels, or where multiple verses in sequence are really one scene).

Here’s the condensed list of unique references:

Matthew

  • Matthew 1:16 – Genealogy: “…Mary, of whom was born Jesus…” What is notable here is that v. 16 follows a genealogy leading up the Jesus. We see that repeatedly we are told that this man was the father of this man, except here in v. 16. This v. breaks with the list by telling us that Joseph was the husband of Mary, not that he was the father of Jesus.
  • Matthew 1:18, 20 – Mary with child by the Holy Spirit. This v. tells us that Joseph was not the human father of Jesus in the natural fashion. It also tells us that Jesus was a product of the Holy Spirit.
  • Matthew 2:11 – The Magi visit Mary and the child. In this v. you’ll note that the magi did not fall and worship Mary, but rather Jesus. “…they fell to the ground and worshiped Him…”
  • Matthew 12:46–50 – Jesus’ mother and brothers come while He is teaching. This section of scripture isn’t about Mary. It is about Jesus. This is true of most of the vs. that mention Mary. Note here that his actual mother, and actual brothers are there. Mary did have children with Joseph after the birth of Jesus. Some will argue this point, but they have to do so by ripping this section from it’s context as well as ignoring Matthew 1:25, Mark 6:3, 13:55.
  • Matthew 1:25 (LSB Strong’s) “…but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus…”
  • Mark 6:3 (LSB Strong’s) “…Is this man not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?” And they were taking offense at Him…”
  • Matthew 13:55 – People identify Jesus as “the son of Mary.” Matthew 13:55 (LSB Strong’s) “…Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?…”

Mark

  • Mark 3:31–35 – Jesus’ mother and brothers seek Him (parallel to Matthew 12).
  • Mark 6:3 – Townspeople call Him “the son of Mary.”

Luke

  • Luke 1:27–38 – Annunciation to Mary (Gabriel tells her she will bear Jesus). There is nothing here elevating Mary. This declaration of what God is going to do glorifies God, not Mary.
  • Luke 1:39–56 – Mary visits Elizabeth; “Magnificat.” Mary is not the focus of this section of scripture. Mary says so, and so does Elizabeth. They are giving the glory to God. This is about Jesus. Mary continuously points to God here, not herself.
  • Luke 2:5–7, 16–19 – Birth of Jesus; Mary treasures events in her heart.
  • Luke 2:34–35 – Simeon’s prophecy to Mary. Again, Simeon is pointing us towards Jesus, not Mary.
  • Luke 2:41–51 – Jesus at the temple at age 12; Mary questions Him. This section is about Jesus’ growth in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

John

  • John 2:1–12 – Wedding at Cana; Mary prompts Jesus’ first miracle. This section is not about Mary, but rather Jesus. We can see Him providing wine for a wedding feast. Mary didn’t do it. She is not a miracle worker.
  • John 6:42 – People say, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose mother and father we know?” In this v. we see that the people knew Joseph, and Mary. They knew them as regular people. They did not revere Mary, nor look upon her as a miracle worker, healer, or sinless, perfect, virgin.
  • John 19:25–27 – Mary at the cross; Jesus entrusts her to the beloved disciple.

Acts

  • Acts 1:14 – Mary with the disciples in prayer after the ascension. Again we see Mary in with the group, not as a co-redemptrix, or sinless perpetual virgin. She needs a savior like everyone else.

Galatians

  • Galatians 4:4 – Jesus born of a woman (a general reference to Mary).

As you can see, there are no references in the Word of God to Mary being a co-redemptrix. There are no references to her being a perpetual virgin, quite the opposite. There are no prescriptive sections telling us to pray to Mary, or that she would intervene for us. The Bible does say in 1 Timothy 2:5-6,(LSB Strong’s)
“…For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the witness for this proper time…” Mary was not sinless. Psalm 51, 85, and Romans 5 refute that notion. No person born of a human mother, and father, after the fall is born righteous. Jesus was born righteous because His body was formed in the womb of Mary, a sinner, by the 3rd Person of the Trinity, God the Holy Spirit. This is what made Jesus sinless. Not Mary. She was merely the vessel of the Christ. Jesus is fully God, and fully man, sans the inherited sinful nature. See Romans 5.

The Word of God makes little of Mary. It is the traditions of men that maker her into more than she was. The focus of our faith is Jesus, not Mary. She can do nothing for you. Only Jesus saves.

Christian Nationalism

They Hate Christianity

Bob SnyderLeave a comment

Daniel Walters claims to be an ethical journalist. After reading his article titled, “For and by Christians: How Idaho’s influential Christian Nationalist group wants to reshape the state” all I can do is disagree. I think he is another leftist, yellow journalist hack. The article is full of biased language aimed at painting anyone who wants to see the nation return to it’s Christian heritage as, “Christian nationalists” as if that is somehow a bad thing, a disparaging label. The left loves to call anyone who would like to see America be a nation comprised of mostly Christians as racist, clan members, NAZI, and bigots. They don’t understand that many of us embrace the label. We have varying ideas of how to get to the goal of a more Christian USA, but as Christians, shouldn’t we all want to see that?

The article called this controversial, “After all, his organization has swiftly become the largest conservative policy organization in the state, having a hand in successfully pushing some of Idaho’s most controversial bills in recent years, including laws restricting access to abortion, puberty blockers and controversial library books.” If you are for abortion, putting porn in grade schools, and transing kids, you are not Christian.

Another interesting section of yellow journalism is when the author penned this, “That’s where the policy center announced it was opening up another front: a law firm that will not only defend Christians for free, but also sue to enforce the laws that Conzatti wrote. The legal center is launching this summer.” A law doesn’t get passed in a vacuum. It must be voted in. If the people of Idaho vote a bill into law, and it doesn’t get enforced, the obvious recourse is to use legal action against those refusing to obey the law. If you don’t want the law to pass call your representatives.

The article paints the idea of having a Christian confession as a prerequisite for office as a negative thing, but until 1961 there were many states that still required the person to be a Christian. It wasn’t that long ago, and the country was better off. A nation comprised mostly of Christians would be a superior one, due to the fact that it would be comprised of people whose minds have been ordered by God’s word, and spirit. Only a non-Christian would oppose this. Anyone here pretending to be Christian, while opposing this, is actually worshiping a different god, and has the religion ultimately of satanism.

Our original laws were not made up by our founders in a vacuum. They were pulled from God’s word. The men who formed our government recognized God’s authority, and just judgment in determining good, and evil. Murder is illegal because God said, “Thou shalt not kill.” The same is true of theft, and many other crimes. Adultery used to be illegal. Homosexuality used to be illegal. All the antichrists have ruined this nation, not made it better. It wasn’t progress, it was abominable rebellion against our Creator.

Walters makes it sound like a bad thing to repeal the 19th amendment. Repealing the 19th amendment would be a good thing. Women are under their husbands headship. That is basic Christian doctrine going back to the beginning. Only a liar, and a revisionist would say otherwise. In a Christian home, the wife should be of the same faith, and opinion as her husband. She should vote the same way. What we see is more rebellion. God’s word views it as a curse to have women, and youths, as your nations leaders.

I’m not going to waste my time writing a step by step refutation of the entire article, and I rather you don’t give the author anymore clicks. He is obviously lost, and hostile to God. So are the people who hate the idea of God being our God, and the nation being Christian. At the end of the day there are more than a few ideas of what Christian nationalism is. I don’t know them all. I don’t care. I do care that it is being used as a boogey man like being called a racist. It just doesn’t matter to me. I will own the label, because the enemy is a liar. My specific brand of Christian nationalism is simple. I would that the nation were comprised mostly of true Christians, and that her laws reflected the convictions of her people, and their God. I hope that you agree.

As always, agree with God that your sins are ugly, and evil. We have merited death, and hell. God has come in the person of Jesus, lived a perfect sinless life, laid down His life, suffered the wrath of God on the cross, paid for our sins, justifies us to God, and grants us eternal life in Him. Repent, and trust Jesus.

love · marriage · Uncategorized

Do You Love Her?

Bob SnyderLeave a comment

Navigating the Waters of Love: Deciding if You’re Ready for Marriage

As a young man, I faced a daunting question: did I love my girlfriend enough to marry her? I turned to my father for guidance, but he refused to make the decision for me. “No matter what I tell you to do,” he said, “if it didn’t work out, you would blame me.” Fast forward 34 years, and I’m still married to that same woman. We tied the knot when I was just a month shy of turning 20.

Many young people today find themselves in similar situations, unsure if they are truly “in love.” This uncertainty is why I’m writing this post—to help clarify what it truly means to love someone as a spouse. From birth, we’re fed lies about romantic love through movies, music, books, and websites. These sources often present nebulous, worldly ideals that aren’t always healthy. To find true guidance, we need to turn to the Creator of mankind and the institution of marriage: God.

The Struggle Between Love and Lust

As a young man, I struggled to distinguish between love and lust. I enjoyed being with my girlfriend—her soft, feminine nature, her scent, her beauty, and the way she looked at me. But is that love? In today’s world, marriage is a high-risk bet for young people. Choosing the wrong partner can jeopardize their futures. To mitigate this risk, we need to clear up the language and ideas surrounding love and marriage. Let’s try to unmuddy the waters.

God’s Design for Marriage

God created mankind, starting with Adam. He declared that it was not good for Adam to be alone and made Eve as his helpmate. Adam was formed from the dirt, but Eve was made specifically for Adam. If modern men and women refuse to submit to the basic truths of God’s Word, they will find strife in life and have disordered minds. Christians must marry Christians, but this is just the starting point. You need to know the person’s character and ensure you agree on the primary articles of faith. If you haven’t known the person long enough to verify their beliefs, don’t rush into marriage.

Physical Attraction and Compatibility

Physical attraction is a good starting point, but it isn’t everything. If you can’t see yourself having children with the person you’re with, you might be with the wrong one. Constant disgust with their habits or behaviors is a red flag. Remember, there is no perfect person out there. Waiting for “Mr. or Ms. Right” might cause you to miss the person God has placed right in front of you. Your “friend-zoned” person might actually be the one.

The Decision for Life

Marital love is more about making a decision for life. If you can see yourself building a life with this person, find them attractive, and genuinely enjoy their company, then you have a decision to make. Once you’ve made it and they’ve said “yes,” you only have between then and the wedding to change your mind. Marriage is a lifelong covenant between you, your spouse, and God, made in the presence of witnesses and carrying the weight of law. Don’t enter into it lightly.

The Roles of Husband and Wife

According to God’s Word, the husband is the head of the household, and his word is final. He is the leader, provider, and protector, actively engaged in raising the children. Wives are to submit to their husbands as if submitting to the Lord. They are the homemakers, caretakers of the children, and comforters of emotions, with a gentle spirit and inner beauty. Modern women often have an aversion to the notion of submitting to anyone, let alone a man. If either party has a problem with this, they should not get married.

Overcoming Selfishness

Both parties need to kill selfishness within themselves. Married love is one of intent, focused externally on your spouse and children. You will never love your spouse perfectly. There will be times when you’re doing well, and they’re not, and vice versa. These periods can last from a few days to several years. You don’t get to walk away. If you believe the lies of the world, your marriage will fail. The idea that “the heart wants what the heart wants” is satanic. The Word of God tells us that “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). Another lie is that you deserve to be happy. As Christians, we know we deserve death and Hell, but thanks to God’s grace and the atoning work of Jesus on the cross, we are saved.

The Sacrificial Love of Jesus

Can you love your future spouse the way Jesus loved you? This is a serious question. Jesus was crucified for murderers, rapists, thieves, blasphemers, idolaters, and every vile sin under the sun. If your spouse is unfaithful, could you forgive them? If they hate you in their heart, could you still maintain a sacrificial love toward them? If they spread lies about you, could you still feel affection for them?

The Hard Work of Marriage

Marriage is hard work and a tremendous risk, but it is also one of the most sanctifying means God has ordained for our growth, along with child-rearing. In marriage, you will grow as a person and as a Christian. Not everyone will avail themselves of the opportunities to grow in a marriage and keep it until their dying day. I pray that all young Christians will find a godly spouse, marry, and be very fruitful in multiplication. May God bless you with many children and love worth learning.

Bible study · Christology · Deity of Christ · God · Theology · Uncategorized

Jesus Is Yahweh.

Bob SnyderLeave a comment

🟥 1. Joel 2:32 → Romans 10:13

Yahweh is the One Who Saves — and Jesus is that Lord

“And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD [יהוה] shall be saved.”
— Joel 2:32

“For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”
— Romans 10:13

In Romans, Paul quotes Joel, but in context, “the Lord” refers to Jesus (cf. Romans 10:9: “confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord…”). Paul is directly applying a Yahweh text to Christ.

🟥 2. Isaiah 45:23 → Philippians 2:10–11

Yahweh receives every knee — now Jesus does

“To Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.”
— Isaiah 45:23 (Yahweh speaking)

“…at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord…”
— Philippians 2:10–11

Paul directly connects Jesus to the divine identity of Yahweh, quoting a verse where Yahweh declares He alone is God (cf. Isa. 45:22). Yet Paul applies it unapologetically to Jesus, and uses “Lord” (κύριος), the LXX translation of Yahweh.

🟥 3. Psalm 102:25–27 → Hebrews 1:10–12

Yahweh is Creator — and Jesus is identified as that Creator

“Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands… You are the same, and your years have no end.”
— Psalm 102:25–27 (speaking of Yahweh)

“You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning…”
— Hebrews 1:10

The author of Hebrews quotes Psalm 102 (clearly about Yahweh) and applies it directly to the Son (Heb. 1:8–10). This is one of the strongest proofs that Jesus is Yahweh, the eternal and unchanging Creator.

🟥 4. Malachi 3:1 → Mark 1:2–3

Yahweh is coming — but Jesus comes

“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me… and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple.”
— Malachi 3:1 (Yahweh is the one coming)

“Behold, I send my messenger before your face… Prepare the way of the Lord.”
— Mark 1:2–3

Mark quotes Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3, both of which refer to preparing the way for Yahweh, and identifies Jesus as that Lord. John the Baptist prepares the way not for Yahweh abstractly, but for Jesus — therefore, Jesus is Yahweh come in the flesh.

🟥 5. Isaiah 6:1–10 → John 12:39–41

Isaiah saw Yahweh’s glory — and John says he saw Jesus’ glory

“I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne… Holy, holy, holy is the LORD [יהוה] of hosts…”
— Isaiah 6:1, 3

“Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him [Christ].”
— John 12:41

John interprets Isaiah’s vision of Yahweh’s glory in Isaiah 6 as a vision of Christ. This is a direct, inspired statement identifying Jesus with Yahweh.

🟥 Summary of Key OT–NT Pairs That Identify Jesus as Yahweh:

Old Testament (Yahweh)New Testament (Jesus)Theme
Joel 2:32Romans 10:13Calls on Yahweh = Calls on Jesus
Isaiah 45:23Philippians 2:10–11Every knee bows to Jesus
Psalm 102:25–27Hebrews 1:10–12Jesus is Creator Yahweh
Malachi 3:1; Isaiah 40:3Mark 1:2–3John prepares way for Jesus = Yahweh
Isaiah 6:1–3John 12:41Isaiah saw Christ = Yahweh

💡 Theological Significance

These passages do not merely suggest that Jesus is divine — they go further. They show that:

  • Jesus is not just a god or like God;
  • He is Yahweh Himself, the eternal, covenant-keeping God of Israel.

This is the foundation of Trinitarian theology: One God in three persons, and Jesus is fully God, not a lesser being, but Yahweh enfleshed (cf. John 1:1, 14).

Jesus Is Yahweh: The Undeniable Truth That Modern Christianity Ignores

We live in a time where churches are so afraid of offending people, they won’t even affirm the most basic truths of the Christian faith. One of those truths is this: Jesus Christ is Yahweh. Not “a god.” Not “like God.” Not “just the Son of God” as if that meant something lesser. He is Yahweh. Fully and completely. The same God who parted the Red Sea, who thundered from Sinai, who declared “I AM THAT I AM” to Moses—that is Jesus.

You don’t need a Ph.D. to see this. You just need to read your Bible and believe it.

So let’s walk through five key places in Scripture that make this absolutely plain, using the Bible the way it was meant to be used—cross-referenced, contextually, and with a high view of its authority.

1. Joel 2:32 and Romans 10:13 — Jesus Is the LORD Who Saves

Joel 2:32 says, “And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” The Hebrew here is Yahweh—the covenant name of God. This isn’t just a generic “lord” or “master.” This is I AM, the eternal God of Israel.

Now jump forward to Romans 10:13. Paul quotes Joel, verbatim: “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But here’s the kicker: go back a few verses—Romans 10:9—“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord…”

So which Lord is Paul talking about? Joel’s Yahweh. Paul applies that directly to Jesus. That’s not clever theology—it’s biblical fact. Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, identifies Jesus as Yahweh.

2. Isaiah 45:23 and Philippians 2:10–11 — Jesus Receives the Worship Due to Yahweh

Isaiah 45:23 is Yahweh speaking: “To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.” And just before that in verse 22: “I am God, and there is no other.” That’s pretty clear. God doesn’t share His glory.

Now read Philippians 2:10–11: “…at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” Paul is quoting Isaiah and applying it to Jesus.

God explicitly says that only He will receive this kind of universal homage—and then Paul turns around and applies that exact passage to Jesus. The only way this isn’t blasphemy is if Jesus is Yahweh.

3. Psalm 102:25–27 and Hebrews 1:10–12 — Jesus Is the Eternal Creator

Psalm 102 is a prayer to Yahweh. Verses 25–27: “Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands… you are the same, and your years have no end.” Clearly about Yahweh, the eternal and unchanging Creator.

Now go to Hebrews 1. The author is making the case that Jesus is superior to the angels. And what does he do? He quotes Psalm 102—about Yahweh—and applies it directly to the Son (Hebrews 1:10–12).

That’s not ambiguous. The Son is the One who laid the foundations of the earth. He is the same, and His years will never end. In other words, Jesus is eternal, immutable, and Creator—Yahweh Himself.

4. Malachi 3:1 and Mark 1:2–3 — Jesus Is the LORD Who Comes to His Temple

Malachi 3:1 says, “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple.” Who is speaking here? Yahweh. He says the messenger (John the Baptist) will prepare the way before Him.

Now look at Mark 1:2–3. Mark quotes both Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3 to describe John the Baptist as the one preparing the way for Jesus.

So who comes to the temple? Jesus. But Yahweh said He would be the one to come. So unless Jesus is Yahweh, the entire gospel of Mark begins with a massive theological error. Of course, it’s not an error—it’s a revelation: Jesus is Yahweh come in the flesh.

5. Isaiah 6:1–10 and John 12:41 — Jesus Is the Glory of Yahweh That Isaiah Saw

Isaiah 6 records Isaiah’s vision of the LORD: “I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne… Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts.” It’s a scene of pure majesty. And in verse 5, Isaiah says: “My eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”

Now read John 12:41. After quoting Isaiah 6, John writes: “Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him.” Who’s “him”? Jesus.

Let that sink in. John says that Isaiah, in that throne-room vision of Yahweh, was looking at Jesus Christ.

Why This Matters

Now maybe you’re thinking, “Okay, but why is this important?” It’s important because if Jesus isn’t Yahweh, you’re not saved.

You see, salvation is of the LORD. Only Yahweh can save. If Jesus were not Yahweh, He couldn’t save anyone. He’d be a created being at best—a fraud at worst. But Scripture won’t let you take that route.

Modern liberalism wants to give Jesus the title “Son of God” while gutting it of its biblical meaning. They treat Him like a moral teacher, a prophet, or a divine messenger. But if He’s not Yahweh, He’s not worthy of your worship.

But He is Yahweh. The apostles believed it. The prophets saw it. The Scriptures proclaim it.

Conclusion: Worship Jesus or Reject Yahweh

So let’s not pretend we’re being “reasonable” or “nuanced” by downplaying who Jesus is. The biblical authors made it crystal clear. They quoted Yahweh-texts from the Old Testament and said, “This is Jesus.”

You can’t have Yahweh without Jesus, and you can’t have Jesus without recognizing Him as Yahweh. The Trinity is not a theological optional. It’s the very identity of God revealed in Scripture.

And if you’re calling on anyone other than Jesus as Yahweh for salvation, you’re lost.

So bow the knee. Confess Him as Lord. Not just “Master,” but Yahweh. The eternal I AM. The Creator. The Redeemer. The King.

And don’t let any seminary professor, woke theologian, or trendy YouTube apologist tell you otherwise. The Bible doesn’t whisper about this. It shouts it.

Jesus Christ is Lord—Jesus Christ is Yahweh. Amen.