Mike Shinnick - Learner/Apprentice of Christ

One of the greatest needs of believers is to study the Bible with a basic understanding of Jewish thought that permeated the first century narrative.  In our day, we are familiar with perspectives of Christian writers, ministers, and theologians which significantly shapes our view of the gospel, for better or worse.  But these views have largely been developed over hundreds of years, framing what we know of Western Christian culture.  What is often viewed as cultural norms would be be considered as heresy centuries ago.  So it's necessary to evaluate how Jewish believers viewed the universe, the kingdom, the day of the Lord, Gehenna, the judgement and the kingdom in order for us to be clear headed about this age, its ending and the age to come.   This video teaching provides great insight in the  Jewish Apocalyptic Gospel .   It represents session two of an eight part series by Dr. John P. Harrigan.  I'm confident you will find it worth ...

To twenty-first century "Western Christian" ears, Jesus' teaching on the requirements of entering in to the Kingdom seem unrealistic and radical.  In Luke 14:25-35, He spells out these truths in clear and convincing ways.  Is the problem with the teaching, or rather with our own unwillingness to give up our cultural tainted perception of abundant living (John 10:10)?  In other words, do we have ears to hear?  Listen to these words from a commentary on Luke 14:35 from the Believers Bible Commentary :      The Lord Jesus closed the message on discipleship with the words "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."  Those words imply not everyone will have the willingness to listen to the stringent terms of discipleship.  But if a person is willing to follow the Lord Jesus, no matter what the cost may be, then he should hear and follow. What's the answer to this rather perplexing dilemma?   I believe the key is properly valuing the Kingdom of G...

What powers our discipleship pursuits?  Why is the church in America so anemic in following the Master's call to be and make authentic disciples.  I maintain that the primary reason for this phenomenon is our failure to grasp Jewish eschatology.  Rather, Greek thought emerged in the second and third century church, dominated by a view of an immaterial heaven emerging when we die.  I invite you to view this John Harrigan teaching on  Eschatology and Discipleship .   Easy "believism" runs rampant in our churches today.  Missing is a proper fear of God.  Here are some scriptures which redirects our thinking toward a historical Jewish end of age narrative: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,  and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.   Proverbs 9:10 This is the Lord’s declaration.  I will look favorably on this kind of person:  one who is humble, submissive in spirit,  and trembles at my word....