for by grace you have been saved through faith

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Dawkins’ "cumulative selection" theory...

which can manufacturer complexity, "cannot work [quoting Dawkins] unless there is some minimal machinery of replication and replicator power, and the only machinery of replication that we know seems too complicated to have come into existence by means of anything less than many generations of cumulative selection!"

Dawkins wrote that the odds of a DNA/ protein replicating machine coming into existence is the same as turning all matter in the universe into monkey flesh--and still it wouldn't be enough--and one of those monkeys typing on a typewriter "Methinks it is like a weasel."

"In order for a monkey to write ...[Methinks it is like a weasel] by chance, it needs a very large amount of luck, but it is still measurable. We calculate the odds against it as about 10 thousand million million million million million million to 1 against."
Dawkin believed that to say that "God has always been is to take the lazy way out." (The Blind Watchmaker)

Stephen Hawking: “Because there is a law like gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing …Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist.” )The Grand Design, p180)

I believe in a future “salvation” of national Israel...

 in the land according to the new covenant in the Millennial Kingdom [MK]. That is what I believe as I understand the prophecies concerning the restoration of Israel as a united people (Israel and Judah) in the land under the terms of the new covenant.

Where I differ with classical dispensationalists is that I see 4 dispensations, according to the people of God for his purposes, to show forth His holiness and salvation. 

The present people for God’s purposes is the gentile-Jew assembly (called the "Church"), and the future people for his purposes is national Israel in the MK. After the MK, there is only one people of God, being believers from all past history, existing in the new creation. But during the MK, God will recognize nations, and some will be in a special relationship to him similar to Israel, but I believe they will be the head of the nations, restored in the land according to the new covenant. 

My other differences from classic dispensationalists are that I believe in the “already not yet” view of the kingdom--as Eldon Ladd held, and I’m a post-trib rapturist-- probably like Robert Gundry or Douglas Moo).

Isaiah 19:24-25: “In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria—a blessing in the midst of the land, whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, “Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance.”

Yet though I believe God has had these distinctive peoples for his purposes in time (the dispensations), salvation has always been by faith alone (and I believe that was and is in the Christ, as Savior).

The Law was never the way of justification...

 for “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness.”

The Law governed national Israel as a theocracy in the land. There are no requirements in the New Testament writings for gentile believers to fulfill the Law in its ceremonial and social requirements, including things like dietary and clothing restrictions, holy days and festivals, or circumcision. The New Testament writings do not make these things a requirement or rebuke gentile believers for failing in these things, like it does concerning moral things like lying, stealing and sexual immorality.

Jesus in the gospel writings was addressing the Jewish people under the Old Testament administration.

“So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.” Col 2:16-17

The "Armor of God" is about character

Therefore, put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.  WEB Ephesians 6:13-14

The armor in Ephesians 6 is, I tend to think, for defense and about mostly moral character or having a firm grasp on divine truth.

The belt of truth could be just as much the character of honesty as it could be objective truth such as God’s way of justification. It is said that the belt kept the other pieces of armor in place. Would honesty work in that way? “Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another.” Eph4.25

“This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck.” 1Tim1.18-19

A good conscience is about honesty.

“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth.” Eph6.14.

The breastplate protects the vital organs especially the heart. This could be about moral character because if your heart condemns you, satan will use it against you. Again consider 1Tim1.19 concerning good warfare and having faith and a good conscience.

“Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully.” 1Tim5.14

Climate Change

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