The Riddleblog

"The Error of Teaching That Some People Are More Predisposed to Believe Than Others" -- Rejection of Errors, First Head of Doctrine, Canons of Dort (IX)

Having set forth the orthodox teaching concerning election and reprobation, the Synod rejects the errors of those . . .

IX. Who teach that the cause for God’s sending the gospel to one people rather than to another is not merely and solely God’s good pleasure, but rather that one people is better and worthier than the other to whom the gospel is not communicated.

For Moses contradicts this when he addresses the people of Israel as follows: “Behold, to Jehovah your God belong the heavens and the highest heavens, the earth and whatever is in it. But Jehovah was inclined in his affection to love your ancestors alone, and chose out their descendants after them, you above all peoples, as at this day” (Deut. 10:14–15). And also Christ: “Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! for if those mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes” (Matt. 11:21).

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The last major error to be refuted by the Canons under the first head of doctrine is that which teaches that the preaching of the gospel and the response to it in a particular time and place, is not ordained by God. It is not as if the acceptance of the good news came about because some who heard the gospel are wiser, more spiritual, or that some individuals are simply more emotionally disposed to believe than others when the gospel first comes to them. No, Scripture is clear—all people are equally sinful, and equally resistant to the message of God's free grace in Christ. Humanly speaking, no one has any advantage over others.

Arminians have often charged that if the Reformed view of election is actually taught in Scripture, then what incentive would there be to evangelize the nations or support the cause of missions since God has already decreed who will believe and who will not? But this objection boomerangs on the Arminian, as the Canons note, because this implies that those who accept the gospel (on the Arminian scheme) are able to use their powers and advantages (some might say “privilege”) that God has given them, while those who do not accept the gospel and who do not take advantage of these powers, must somehow be more wicked, suffer from a greater depravity, or suffer from a greater ignorance of the things of God, than do those who do take advantage of these things.

To read the rest, follow the link below

The Canons of DortKim RiddlebargerJanuary 31, 2024Election and MissionsComment

Some Thoughts on Paul's Doctrine of Christ's Parousia

The following is from my forthcoming exposition of Paul’s Thessalonian Letters, “When the Lord Jesus Is Revealed from Heaven” which will be made available as a free download for those who complete season two of the Blessed Hope Podcast.

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Paul answers the question asked by the Thessalonians, “do those who die before Christ’s return miss out on the benefits of our Lord’s return”?

In verse 15b, Paul responds, stating that “we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.” There is no diminished blessing for those who die before our Lord’s return. They don’t miss out on anything so there is no need to worry about them. They already possess eternal life as spoken of by Jesus in John 5:24—“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” All those who have died in Christ will return with Jesus when he does (1 Thessalonians 4:14).

Paul describes Jesus’s return as his parousia (παρουσία), a term with a very rich cultural background. According to Gene Green, parousia is . . .

a term that commonly meant the glorious “coming” of a deity or the official visit of a sovereign to a city, who himself was often honored as divine. An imperial visit was an event of great pomp and magnificent celebrations, with rich banquets, speeches that praised the imperial visitor, a visit to the local temple, rich donations, celebration of games, sacrifices, statues dedicated, and arches and other buildings constructed. Money was minted to commemorate the event, crowns of gold might be given, and at times a new era was inaugurated. . . . The officials and a multitude of people would head out of the city to receive the one who came, all dressed with special clothing.[1]

When Jesus returns with his heavenly host, his people who are living at that time will be caught up to join him in his triumphal return.

“A God in Heaven Who Reveals Mysteries” – Daniel 2:24-45 (An Exposition of the Book of Daniel–Part Five)

Nebuchadnezzar’s Anger at the Chaldeans

King Nebuchadnezzar is in a rage and is threatening to execute his entire palace staff. He was awakened by a troubling dream which both confused and frightened him. He then summoned his court magicians and wise men (“the Chaldeans”) to explain the meaning of what he had just dreamt. But the Chaldeans cannot recount the details of his dream, much less offer an interpretation. No help in relieving the king’s anxiety, and upon seeing the king’s anger at them, the Chaldeans seek to stall Nebuchadnezzar, hoping he will forget about the dream and move on to other things.

Meanwhile, the young Hebrew servant, Daniel, who has impressed the king from the moment he first appeared before the king in the royal court, offers the very thing the king’s magicians, sorcerers, and wise men cannot. Daniel will recount the details of the king’s dream, and then give him an interpretation. In the scene which plays out in chapter 2 of Daniel’s prophecy, we learn that YHWH has given his young servant Daniel the gift of wisdom, and revealed to the prophet both the content and the meaning of the king’s dream. In the contest between Daniel and the court magicians which follows, Daniel will easily win because the Babylonian “gods” are nothing but the figment of human imagination and superstition, while YHWH is the true and living God, who directs the course of history, who grants wisdom, who speaks, and who answers prayer.

To read the rest, follow the link below

A New Episode of the Blessed Hope Podcast! -- “A Rich Feast of Pauline Theology” (A Doctrinal Survey of 1 Corinthians)

Episode Synopsis:

Paul’s first Corinthian letter was written to deal with divisions in the Corinthian church. He’s received a letter from the Corinthians asking him about how to deal with the Greco-Roman pagans around them, as well as how to handle professing Christians who either did not understand, or implement the apostle’s instructions. In Ephesus, where Paul was residing, someone who had just come from Corinth passed on to Paul the news that the Corinthians had misunderstood his written response to their letter. Paul also received a delegation from the Corinthian church asking a whole series of questions, which Paul must address. The news from Corinth was disturbing. Paul’s response to this serious situation is the letter we now know as 1 Corinthians.

When you begin to summarize the content of 1 Corinthians (in order to answer the “what is in the letter question”), you notice something rather remarkable for a situational letter like this one specifically written to address divisions beginning to appear within the Corinthian congregation. Paul’s response is not to scold them (although there is a bit of exhortation), but to teach them the correct doctrine, which is then to be applied to each of the difficult situations brought to his attention. This makes for a rich theological letter in terms of doctrinal content worked out with a great deal of practical application.

Paul’s thesis statement is set out in 1 Corinthians 1:10: “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.” The two primary sources of contention which Paul must address are those typical of Greco-Roman paganism–sexual immorality and idolatry, along with the Corinthian tendency to boast about their personal accomplishments.

Paul must remind these new Christians of what he had taught them when he had been with them previously. God’s grace revealed in Christ’s death and resurrection and the gift of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit brings about an entirely different set of ethics and morality to those in Christ’s church. Love for fellow members of the family of God is to characterize the Corinthian church, not petty divisions. The divisions in Corinth must cease since the church is the body of Christ, Paul’s apostolic authority to address such matters was given to him by Christ so it is to be accepted, and Christ’s church should reflect the new creation which Jesus has brought about through his cross and resurrection.

If you take a look at any of the best known Reformed systematic theologies (say Berkhof, Bavinck, and Turretin), you will find that the number of biblical texts cited by these writers in support of major doctrines is about the same for 1 Corinthians as it is for Romans and Ephesians. The reason? Paul’s letter is packed with Trinitarian references. He speaks of calling and election as the manifestation of God’s grace as revealed in the gospel. He discusses Christ’s resurrection and ours in great detail–the most important discussion of the resurrection of the body in all the New Testament. Paul addresses numerous aspects of the Christian life, much of which is centered upon love of neighbor working itself out in the situations reported to him as the chief sign that one is truly converted and which serves as the basis of Christian ethics and morality.

1 Corinthians is theology applied to life. What is Paul’s theology? How does he apply it to the Corinthians? And what does this mean for us? We’ll discuss this and more in this episode of the Blessed Hope Podcast.

To listen to the podcast and see the show notes, follow the link below

Blessed Hope PodcastKim RiddlebargerJanuary 22, 2024Theology of 1 CorinthiansComment

B. B. Warfield -- On Christless Christianity

One of B. B. Warfield’s most insightful essays is “Christless Christianity,” written for The Harvard Review in 1912. It is available in its entirety here: Christless Christianity. It is not an easy essay, but well worth the effort.

Warfield takes aim at those who would divorce Christianity from history thereby eliminating Christ’s cross as the ground of our salvation. He points out that,

There is a moral paradox in the forgiveness of sins which cannot be solved apart from the exhibition of an actual expiation [a payment for sin]. No appeal to general metaphysical or moral truths concerning God can serve here; or to the essential kinship of human nature to God; or, for the matter of that, to any example of an attitude of trust in the divine goodness upon the part of a religious genius, however great, or to promises of forgiveness made by such a one, or even—may we say it with reverence—made by God himself, unsupported by the exhibition of an actual expiation.

No payment for sin, no Christianity.

To read the rest, follow the link below

B. B. WarfieldKim RiddlebargerJanuary 19, 2024Christless ChristianityComment

The Basics -- The Lord's Supper

The Reformed understanding of the Lord’s Supper is grounded in a distinction between the “sign” and “seal” (the bread and wine) and that which is signified in the Supper (the forgiveness of sin through Christ’s shed blood, the “blood of the covenant”). There is also a sacramental union between the sign and what is signified as evident in our Lord’s words “this is my body.” This manner of speaking of the Supper comes from the words of institution given by Jesus to his disciples.

Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom” (Matthew 26:26-29).

When Jesus speaks of the bread as his body and the wine as his blood, we take him at his word without resorting to confusing the sign (bread and wine) with the thing signified (Christ’s body and blood). Nor should we insert words such as “this represents my body,” as in the case of those who believe that the Lord’s Supper is essentially a memorial meal and that nothing is received through partaking of the bread and wine. As Paul calls “Christ the rock” (1 Corinthians 10:4), so too, the bread is Jesus’ body, not because the sign is miraculously changed into the thing signified (as the Roman Catholic church erroneously contends in transubstantiation), but because Christ can speak of the bread (the sign) as though it were the thing signified (his body) using the language of sacraments as Jesus does when instituting the sacrament (Matthew 26:26 ff).

To read the rest, follow the link below

The BasicsKim RiddlebargerJanuary 17, 2024The Lord's Supper Comments

"The Error of Teaching That Reprobation Results from a Misuse of Human Freedom" -- Rejection of Errors, First Head of Doctrine, Canons of Dort (VIII)

Having set forth the orthodox teaching concerning election and reprobation, the Synod rejects the errors of those . . .

Who teach that it was not on the basis of his just will alone that God decided to leave anyone in the fall of Adam and in the common state of sin and condemnation or to pass anyone by in the imparting of grace necessary for faith and conversion.

For these words stand fast: “He has mercy on whom he wishes, and he hardens whom he wishes” (Rom. 9:18). And also: “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given” (Matt. 13:11 ). Likewise: “I give glory to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding, and have revealed them to little children; yes, Father, because that was your pleasure” (Matt. 11:25–26).

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The error identified and refuted in paragraph eight of the refutations is one which attempts to locate the ground of reprobation in people’s misuse of their freedom, not in the sovereign will of God. According to this error, people somehow manage to reprobate themselves by using their free will in such a way as to disqualify themselves from that which they could have otherwise obtained–salvation from sin. These people could have co-operated with God’s grace, and then believed the gospel. Instead, they “chose poorly,” as someone once put it.

This erroneous notion results from the Arminian contention that despite the fall of the human race into sin, men and women are still able to co-operate with the grace of God. When they do so, they are thereby inclined to believe, repent, and live in holiness before God. When the logic of the Arminian view is applied to those whom do not chose co-operate with God’s grace (the reprobate), the reason given as to why these people are not numbered among the elect is because they did not choose to believe, repent, and live a holy life before God. To put it crudely, they reprobate themselves by not co-operating with God’s grace.

To read the rest, follow he link below

The Canons of DortKim RiddlebargerJanuary 15, 2024Election and the Will of God Comments

Musings for the New Year (1/12/2024)

Riddleblog and Blessed Hope Podcast Updates:

Here’s the first look at the Reformation Heritage Books release of my exposition of First Corinthians in the Lectio Continua series. No date given yet, only the announcement that it is coming soon. First Corinthians --Lectio Continua
Season three of the Blessed Hope Podcast has launched! This season is a deep dive into Paul’s Corinthian letters and is entitled, “God Is Faithful.” You can find the current season three episodes along with all past episodes here: The Blessed Hope Podcast
Here’s how the sausage is made: Behind the Scenes at the Blessed Hope Podcast

Thinking Out Loud:

Kevin Williamson nails it: Donald Trump is one part Augusto Pinochet (the Chilean dictator) and one part game show host.
May God grant repentance to those political candidates who run what they think are clever memes/ads, but which flippantly appeal to “God speaking” while endorsing them. Jeremiah 23:9-40 comes to mind. Such blasphemy is serious stuff.
Legendary football coaches Pete Carroll, Nick Saban, and Bill Belichick have all reached their “sell by” date (70+) and are done coaching. Trump and Biden are way past theirs.

To read the rest, follow the link below

“Daniel Blessed the God of Heaven” – Daniel 2:1-24 (An Exposition of the Book of Daniel-- Part Four)

Times Have Changed

The mood in the Babylonian court has completely changed between the time Nebuchadnezzar claimed the throne in 605 BC, and the scene which unfolds in Daniel chapter 2. In the opening chapter of his prophecy, Daniel describes Nebuchadnezzar as an all-powerful king, bestowing favors on those servants who have successfully completed their transformation from captured youths into humble and efficient servants in the Babylonian court, young men who come from the various peoples defeated by the Babylonians, now dedicated to serve the king and worship his Babylonian “gods.”

But in chapter 2 (which takes place two years later in 603 BC), the king is troubled and frightened because he has had a dream–the meaning of which escapes him. The royal court which seemed so dominant over its humiliated subjects is now depicted as a place of fear, helplessness, and brutality.[1] Whatever it was that the king had dreamed, coupled with the failure of Nebuchadnezzer’s magicians and astrologers to interpret the dream for him, initially leads to great peril for Daniel and his friends. But then it becomes an opportunity for Daniel to ascend in rank and importance in the court. This comes to pass because YHWH is Daniel’s shield and defender, and the source of both Nebuchadnezzaer’s dream and Daniel’s interpretation.

To read the rest, follow the link below

The Book of DanielKim RiddlebargerJanuary 10, 2024Nebuchadnezzar's Bad Dream, Daniel 2:1-24Comment

Season Three of the Blessed Hope Podcast Kicks Off! “What Happens in Corinth Doesn't Stay in Corinth!”

Episode Synopsis:

I’m very excited to kick off season three of the Blessed Hope Podcast because we are taking up one of the most interesting and challenging letters in all the New Testament–Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. This is a letter which is practical in the best sense of the term and we will spend a great deal of time going through it in some detail.

One of the first things we will notice in Paul’s First Corinthian letter is that he is not writing a systematic treatise (as he does in Romans and Ephesians). Instead, Paul is responding to a number of important matters which have come to his attention that were troubling the Corinthian church. But Paul is in Ephesus when he gets this information and cannot get to Corinth (some 425 miles away) any time soon. So Paul must address these issues by letter. We know Paul wrote at least three letters to the Corinthians (we are in possession of two of them – 1st and 2nd Corinthians) and we’ll tackle them consecutively in our usual verse by verse manner.

There are an number of controversies in 1 Corinthians with which we’ve all wrestled, and which are addressed by Paul.

Perhaps you’ve heard the expression, “Christians are to be in the world, but not of the world.” What does this mean, and why is it that so many Christians in Corinth remain “of the world, but not in the world?” Paul tackles this question.
What about the gifts of the Spirit?
Maybe you or someone you know finds speaking in tongues to be the high point of the Christian life. Perhaps you think it tied to the apostolic age and something not to be practiced today–what does Paul say about speaking in tongues and how it is to be practiced?
What went on in a worship service in the apostolic church? Paul gives us our only description of such worship in 1 Corinthians 11-14.
What are we to do with those who profess faith in Jesus Christ, but who then do things which are utterly at odds with their profession of faith? What is church discipline and why do Reformed churches practice it?
Why does Paul spend so much time and energy in his discussion of the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15? What does he say about the resurrection of our bodies and how we will dwelling in God’s presence for all eternity?

And this is just scratching the surface. So, there will be much more to come as we work our way through Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians.

To see the show notes and listen to the episode, follow the link below

Blessed Hope PodcastKim RiddlebargerJanuary 8, 2024Introduction to 1 CorinthiansComment

The Basics -- Baptism

Before our Lord Jesus ascended into heaven, he left his disciples with the following command; “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20). Based upon these words of the Great Commission, it is clear that the mission of Christ’s church is to go into the world, preach the gospel, and make disciples of all nations. How do we make disciples? We start by baptizing them in the name of the Triune God.

Although many professing Christians today are strangely indifferent to the sacraments in general and baptism in particular, the New Testament knows nothing of someone who comes to faith in Jesus Christ but who is not baptized. While the exception to this is the thief on the cross for whom baptism was not possible (cf. Luke 23:40-43), the New Testament is very clear about the necessity of baptism as the sign and seal of one’s profession of faith in Jesus (cf. Romans 4:9-12). Not only does Jesus command his disciples in the Great Commission to make disciples of the nations by baptizing those who believe in Jesus, the Pentecost sermon preached by Peter ends with the following charge–“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself” (Acts 2:38-39). Throughout the Book of Acts, heads of households are baptized upon a profession of faith in Christ, but these same individuals also present their entire households, including their children, for baptism (cf. Acts 16:14-15; 31-33; Acts 18:8).

To read the rest, follow the link below

The BasicsKim RiddlebargerJanuary 5, 2024BaptismComment

John Wesley's Take on Election and Human Obedience (in Light of the Canons of Dort’s Declaration that Basing Election on Obedience Is an Error)

The following comes from John Wesley's famous sermon "On Free Grace," (1740).

This then, is a plain proof that the doctrine of predestination is not a doctrine of God, because it makes void the ordinance of God; and God is not divided against himself.
[The doctrine of Predestination] directly tends to destroy that holiness which is the end of all the ordinances of God. I do not say, none who hold it are holy; (for God is of tender mercy to those who are unavoidably entangled in errors of any kind;) but that the doctrine itself, -- that every man is either elected or not elected from eternity, and that the one must inevitably be saved, and the other inevitably damned, -- has a manifest tendency to destroy holiness in general; for it wholly takes away those first motives to follow after it, so frequently proposed in Scripture, the hope of future reward and fear of punishment, the hope of heaven and fear of hell.

Says Wesley, the Christian life is to be lived in light of the hope of a future reward and the fear of punishment. But are hope and fear the proper basis for good works? Should not good works arise from a thankful heart and done out of gratitude? No, says Wesley.

To read the rest, follow the link below

"The Error of Teaching That Our Election Is Secured By Human Obedience" -- Rejection of Errors, First Head of Doctrine, Canons of Dort (VII)

Having set forth the orthodox teaching concerning election and reprobation, the Synod rejects the errors of those . . .

VII. Who teach that in this life there is no fruit, no awareness, and no assurance of one’s unchangeable election to glory, except as conditional upon something changeable and contingent.

For not only is it absurd to speak of an uncertain assurance, but these things also militate against the experience of the saints, who with the apostle rejoice from an awareness of their election and sing the praises of this gift of God; who, as Christ urged, “rejoice” with his disciples “that their names have been written in heaven” (Luke 10:20); and finally who hold up against the flaming arrows of the devil’s temptations the awareness of their election, with the question “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?” (Rom. 8:33)

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Roman Catholic theology contends that any notion of the assurance of salvation inevitably leads to presumption and laxity in the Christian life, which Rome identifies as the sin of presumption. So too, many Arminians have argued that the ground of election is to be located in a Christian’s personal performance (faith, good works, and our own efforts at persevering to the end).

According to the Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent,

No one...so long as he lives this mortal life, ought to regard to the sacred mystery of divine predestination, so far presume as to state with absolute certainty, that he is numbered of the predestined, as if it were true that the one justified either cannot sin any more, or, if he does sin, that he ought to promise himself an assured repentance. For except by special revelation, it cannot be known who God has chosen to Himself. (Sixth Session, Chapter XII).

As Rome sees the matter, no one can know that they are numbered among the elect. This lack of assurance supposedly motivates the faithful to lead godly lives and to persevere in good works to the end of their lives, so that they may be delivered from eternal loss (or shorten their time in purgatory). In this scheme, the proper motivation for perseverance and good works is the fear of divine chastisement and/or eternal punishment. Clearly, Rome was worried that believers who possessed assurance of their salvation would become morally lax, and live lives indifferent to good works and holy living.

To read the rest, follow the link below

Wishing You a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year!

The New Year’s Day Prayer (from the URCNA Forms and Prayers)

Eternal and Almighty God, we humble ourselves in your presence to dedicate to you the beginning of this year, by adoration, prayer, and praise.

We come before your Supreme Majesty, and acknowledge, with gratitude, the manifold blessings which you have freely bestowed upon us, through the whole course of our lives. We thank you, that having preserved us to the present time, you have permitted us to enter upon a new year. You have not ceased, O most gracious God, to give to us the abundance of your lovingkindness. But you have especially sustained us with every spiritual blessing by keeping in the midst of us the light of your gospel.

You have granted us repentance, through your mighty help, through your great goodness, and through the warnings of your Word and Spirit; and have mercifully given to us favorable opportunities to grow in grace. Despite our unworthiness, for the love of Jesus Christ, take not away from us your protection and favor.

Moved by your grace, we devote ourselves to you at the beginning of this year, desiring to employ it better than we have done the years that are past. And since this day also warns us that our years pass away like a flood, like a dream, give us grace that we may seriously number our days that we may have a heart of wisdom; that we may discern the vanity of this life; and that we may aspire to that better life, when days, and months, and years, shall be counted no more, forever.

While we continue in the flesh, may we more and more live not according to its desires, but according to your will. And grant, O God, that when our years shall come to an end, and the day of our death arrives, we may depart in the peace that passes all understanding and in the sure hope of life everlasting. Favorably hear us through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Riddleblog PublicationKim RiddlebargerDecember 31, 2023A blessed and happy new yearComment

“Ten Times Better” -- Daniel 1:17-21 (An Exposition of the Book of Daniel-- Part Three)

Context and Background Matter In Daniel

I think it fair to say that one reason why preachers often turn the great events of redemptive history into object lessons or timeless truths–and often times even these are obscured by illustrations, stories, and multi-media presentations–is because neither they nor their congregations know the Bible well enough (or care to know the Bible well enough) to let the biblical story tell itself, and then trust God to apply his word to the hearts of those hearing it proclaimed.

Because it is a difficult book, requiring a great deal of historical background, the Book of Daniel is far too often subject to such unfortunate moralizing treatment. This is a shame, because the story of four young Jewish boys taken captive, forced to conform to foreign ways, and then finding themselves standing before the king of Babylon (the man who has done these evil things to them) and out-performing by ten times the king’s own best and brightest, is far more interesting than any illustration I might find, any story that I might tell, or any timeless truth we may attempt to identify.

Their story is especially compelling when we know the biblical background which puts this account into perspective–the reason why I will spend some time developing that background. Yes, this is a wonderful story of faith under pressure and resistance in the face of temptation. But it is also a story of God working all things after the counsel of his will, while still caring for these four young men. God has chosen Daniel to reveal future chapters in the great story of redemption.

To read the rest, follow the link below

The Book of DanielKim RiddlebargerDecember 28, 2023Daniel--the big picture, Two Themes in Daniel, OT echoes in DanielComment

One Implication of the Birth of Our Savior – “There Is No Other Name Under Heaven Given Among Men by Which We Must Be Saved” (Acts 4:1-22; Isaiah 41-45 selected texts)

Jesus Came to Save us from Our Sins

Jesus is the eternal word, who took to himself a true human nature, and was born of a virgin. Jesus did this to save us from our sins. The incarnation is truly a wonder of wonders, but one implication of our Lord’s birth the first Christmas often goes unspoken. If Jesus is the only savior and salvation can be found in no one else, then Christianity is the only true religion and we as Christians are making the claim that all other religions are false no matter how sincere non-Christians may be, and despite how much self-flattery and false comfort these religions bring to their adherents. But to dare say such a thing (and to make such an exclusive claim to truth) is to commit the unpardonable sin in modern America. So this implication which arises from Jesus’ birth is a point well-worth considering now that Christmas has come and gone. The birth of Jesus Christ—that mere babe in the manger—changes everything, for Christians and non-Christians alike.

We are not the first Christians to face these implications of Christmas and we won’t be the last. In fact, the uniqueness of Jesus Christ and the importance of his incarnation as a truth claim becomes clear in the opening chapters of the Book of Acts when the apostles begin proclaiming the gospel to the Jews. Jesus had been crucified and buried just weeks earlier, although his followers believed that he had risen from the dead.

Better Than Silver or Gold

The first 22 verses of Acts chapter 4 record some of the fall-out associated with the dramatic events which just transpired in Acts 3, where we read that near the gate called “beautiful” (which was between the inner and outer court of the Jerusalem temple), Peter and John encountered a man who had been handicapped from birth. When this man (who survived by begging for alms) asked Peter and John for money, we read in Acts 3:4ff that . . .

Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, `Look at us.’ And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, `I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!’ And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God.

Those who knew the man and had passed him daily came running to see what was going on. According to Luke, the people “were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.”

To read the rest, follow the link below

Christmases Past

My great grandparents, Albert and Paulina Riddlesbarger were married on December 25, 1893 in Andrew County, Missouri.

“Bert” and “Lina” were devout Brethren (of the evangelical Grace Brethren sort) and moved to Belleville, Kansas soon after they were married. Later they moved on to Nampa, Idaho with a number of Brethren families. They ended up in Garden Grove, California, in the late 1920s to be near my grandparents and their grandchildren (including my dad, Clayton).

To read the rest, follow the link below

Riddlebarger Fam HistoryKim RiddlebargerDecember 24, 2023Albert and Paulina RiddlebargerComment

A Festivus for the Rest of Us!

Time for the feats of strength, the airing of grievances, and waiting for that Festivus miracle.

So, lets get it started . . .

I got a lot of problems with you people!

History and Culture, Just having some funKim RiddlebargerDecember 23, 2023Airing of Grievances, Feats of StregnthComment

Christmas and End of the Year Musings (12/22/2023)

Riddleblog and Blessed Hope Updates:

For some reason, I was not getting notifications when folks comment on Riddleblog posts. I was also gone for several weeks in November. So, I missed a number of your questions/comments. Very sorry, but I think the problem has been fixed.
I should have a release date for Season Three of the Blessed Hope podcast soon—early in the New Year. I’ve been hard at work, getting the first few episodes of our study of 1 Corinthians ready. I’d like to have several episodes “in the can” before season three begins.

The Riddleblog Series on the Book of Daniel is underway.

Thinking out loud:

Count me among the vast majority of Americans who do not want to see either Trump or Biden nominated by their respective parties. Every news cycle reveals more cringeworthiness, disrespect for the rule of law, and ineptitude from both of them. There are 340 million Americans and this is the best the Ds and Rs can do?
Why do personal injury attorneys always seem to wear incandescent blue suits in their commercials and billboard ads?
The NCAA better fix the NIL mess with college football—this current signing date and transfer portal situation is pure chaos.

To read the rest of my musings, follow the link below