The Typological Fulfillment of the Civil Law of Moses

I have recently been studying the typology of the civil law of Moses, an application that is virtually unheard of. Typology is normally applied to only the ceremonial law of Moses. But the civil law also ought to be understood as typological and fulfilled in Christ.

But what does that really mean and how does it work? I have written a paper on it to develop that and to address the political and legal implications of that.

See the paper here

Critique of the David Instone-Brewer Divorce and Remarriage Theory

Earlier this year I did some study on divorce and remarriage. I was not satisfied that I had properly examined the arguments in favour of divorce and remarriage. My analysis of the Sermon on the Mount suggested the Lord was so opposed to divorce and remarriage that even the innocent wife divorced by the treacherous husband, on remarriage she was condemned as an adulteress. But I wasn't really sure I had fully examined the arguments proffered for permitting divorce and remarriage in some circumstances.

I had an old friend, Renee, invite me to celebrate her remarriage, so told her I wasn't sure I could attend, and asked what happened to her earlier husband Hans. She said he was unfaithful and so she justified her divorce on this basis and appealed to David Instone-Brewer's teaching to justify her actions.

David Instone-Brewer

So I did a full study on David Instone-Brewer's arguments and discovered an excellent scholar doing good work on the topic and using that material to draw conclusions against the evidence he himself had uncovered and documented. My critique therefore primarily draws on his own material as well as seeking to work through the biblical texts.

See here for the critique (Updated version Jan 2018).

Fulfilment of Prophecy and The Kingdom of God in the Gospel of Luke: response to Dr Laurie Guy's Thesis

Recently I had the luck and honour to hear Dr Laurie Guy present a message on the book of Revelation and to purchase his book Unlocking Revelation which I recommend as a much needed antidote to popular dispensational approaches to the book.

However, Dr Guy wrongly assumed a late date of writing for the book (see The Dating of the Book of Revelation by Don K Preston for a good look at that issue), and sees the book and prophecy generally, as being so non-specific in meaning and fulfilment as to deny the reality of the immanent and specific consummation at the judgement of Old Covenant Jerusalem.

Dr Guy sent me a copy of his Master's Thesis which he said made the case for non-specific 'spacious' interpretation of prophecy to the effect that it cannot be tied down to a specific falsifiable predictions that should have a specific, unique fulfilment. This prompted me to examine his case study of the Kingdom of God in Luke: fortunately we see that Luke has a very unique and specific approach to prophecy and its fulfilment. The Kingdom of God teaching in the gospel of Luke undermines rather than uphold's Dr Guy's hermentic and teaching: he should reconsider.

The paper can be read here:
Fulfilment of Prophecy andThe Kingdom of Godin the Gospel of Luke

The paper includes:
God’s Scheme of Redemption in Luke-Acts

Luke 9:27 – the promise of consummation, in your lifetime

Luke 17:20-21 – when does the kingdom of God come?

Luke 19:11 – the absent master

Luke 21 – when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near

Luke 22 – fulfilment of the Passover

Luke 23:39-43 – the clash of the kingdoms in the passion (includes the 'with me in paradise' promise)