LIVE with Doug Goodin

The Apostle Paul included "teachers of the Law" with those who taught myths, speculations, and other heterodox doctrines. He said it led to fruitless discussions and distracted from the gospel. Modern teachers would do well to reexamine their view of the Law of Moses.

In Romans 5, Paul reveals a surprising purpose of the Law of Moses. But then, maybe it's only surprising because we tend to read the Bible from a systematic theology perspective.   Also, in today's study: more Q&A and Doug challenges the purpose statements of John Piper and Westminster.   Here is a brief series on the difference between Biblical Theology and Systematic Theology: http...

The NT doesn't view the Law of Moses as God's eternal moral standard for all men, but as His temporal moral standard for the Jews. The Apostle Paul called it a guardian given to underage Israel until she reached adulthood in Christ. Once Christ came, she is no longer under the guardian, i.e. Israel is no longer under the Law of Moses. And remember, Gentiles were never under the Law of Moses, there...

The Apostle Paul did not interpret the Bible's teaching about the Law of Moses/10 Commandments from systematic perspective, but from an historical one. He understood its role in the drama of redemption. God's promises to Abraham were fulfilled in Christ; Moses was a supporting cast member who gave way when the leading character appeared on the scene.

Before Christ, God divided the world into two groups: Jews and Gentiles. What distinguished them? According to Paul it was things like adoption, promises, covenants, and glory. But the heart of the division between Jews and Gentiles was the Law of commandments, especially the 10 Commandments. They formed the core of God's unique covenant with Israel. When Paul became a Christian, he regarded himse...

Jesus said that He didn't come to abolish the Law of Moses (Matt. 5:17), yet most Christians don't think it's sinful to get tattoos, or to plant a field with multiple kinds of vegetables, or to eat pork—things prohibited in the Law. Why do we consider those commands abrogated in spite of what Jesus said? If your answer includes categories such as "civil, ceremonial, moral law," you are reading the...

Today, we wrap up "The Sabbath Debate" series with a Q&A.

The Apostle Paul charged believers in Rome to make up their own minds about whether they would observe a sabbath day or not. He would have been entirely out of line if sabbath observance was still a command of God. In other words, if God still requires sabbath-keeping, no one, including Paul, has the authority to tell people: "The choice is yours." That's the topic of today's study.

Christians debate about whether the Law of Moses, including the Ten Commandments, are binding on believers in the New Covenant. But we shouldn't. The question was settled early by the apostles and elders of Jerusalem. The Apostle Paul took their decision and spread it through the Gentile churches and wrote it in many of his letters, which we look at in today's study.

The Pharisees taught their precepts as though they were God's commands. Systematic theologians are tempted to do the same, especially when they pledge allegiance to a confession. Case in point is the arbitrary division of the OT Law into moral, civil, and ceremonial categories, with an insistence on keeping the sabbath.

The primary significance of the Jewish Sabbath was neither rest nor worship. God established it to remind Israel of her unique relationship with Him. To work on the seventh day was an act of utter disregard for God's special love. Today's passage puts modern day sabbatarians in an exegetical dilemma.

Contrary to common theological presumptions, the Sabbath was not given to Israel primarily as a day for rest and worship. God was testing the Jews to see whether they would obey Him or not. That is why Moses charges them to "Remember" the Sabbath. If they "forgot,", they would bring God's wrath on their own heads, and on their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. We look at the origin...

Our study of the Sabbath must begin in Genesis. In this video, we see that in the beginning the focus was on God's rest, not man's. And the ultimate purpose for the seventh day transcends the Jewish Sabbath observance.

For many Christians, Sunday is a day or rest and worship, and is rightly referred to as the "Christian Sabbath." For others, "Sabbath" is a Jewish term no longer applicable to God's people. And then there are the questions of whether the Sabbath is Saturday or Sunday, what should be done on the Sabbath, and what is forbidden on the Sabbath. In this series, we examine the Scripture's teaching on th...

It sounds almost cliche when missionaries refer to supporters as "partners." And missionaries usually feel compelled to say something like, "Even if you can't give, please pray, which is more important than money." That's true, of course, to a degree, but Christians must never downplay the significance of giving to Kingdom work. God doesn't downplay it at all. In fact, He tracks it and rewards it.

God does not want us to live in a victim mindset. The government wants you to feel oppressed, so that you will turn to it for provision and protection, but God wants you to live with a different perspective. The Apostle Paul—who knew real oppression and injustice—learned that perspective. He will teach you in today's study.   Here is a sermon series from 2020 that you may find helpful for thi...

God promises to be with us if we set our minds on the right things. In today's study, we talk about those things and how thinking on the wrong things have led to corrupt cultures.

Our culture has become debased. Comedy, journalism, entertainment, visually anything that is popular has lost any sense of honor or seriousness. It's the inevitable outcome of adopting evolutionary theory. God calls Christians to rise above the vulgar and to dwell on things worthy of the mind of Christ, not only in the Scripture but in the world. We talk about that in today's study.

God's Word instructs us to ponder true things. How do we do it, and what true things should we ponder? We talk about it in today's study.

In an age of virtually limitless information - always available and always on - it's hard to make time for undistracted thinking. Yet the Apostle Paul instructs us to make time, and he tells us what to do with that time. We talk about that in today's study.

Humans are fearful creatures. When there is real danger, fear is appropriate and might even save a person's life. But when there is only potential danger, anxiety produces all kinds of bad fruit. We don't have to be anxious; God has provided a remedy that relies neither on therapy nor medication, but His own promise of peace. We talk about that in today's study.   Here is a sermon I preached...

What do you want to be known for? No doubt there are many good answers to that question, but God's Word lays out one aspect of our reputation that we must all strive for - meekness. Yet many mistake meekness for weakness. They are not the same. Christians must have a backbone. We must call out evil, heresy, etc. How do we do it gently? Today's study explores this question.

Joyful people stand out in a world full of despairing pessimism. If Christians should be known for anything, it should be for rejoicing. But how? And does Paul really mean that we must always rejoice? What about in the midst of tragedy and loss? We talk about this and more in today's study.

All it takes to ruin a good thing is a couple of selfish people. The Apostle Paul was so concerned about two women who couldn't get along that he called them out, by name, in front of the entire congregation. And he asked a trusted third-party to involve himself in their reconciliation. Today's church as a lot to learn from these instructions.

We learn a lot about Jesus in these two verses. Maybe the most striking truth is that Jesus still has a glorified body, which He will live in forever. Someday He will transform our bodies into something similar. Amazing! We talk about it in today's study.   Here is the series I mentioned which will help you see how the OT points to Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5Yobt1jZDd9XHW...