Theology of Righteousness Lecture 2 - God.pptx

Theology of Righteousness

1. Asia Pacific Theological Seminary Dr. Tony Chua Biblical Theology or righteousness: rethinking god, salvation, and ministry BIB538 2024

2. Theological (Vs. Biblical) Problems: Cause-and-Effect R ighteousness : Sinless perfection? Only forensic or positional? God : God: Wrathful, bloodthirsty and directly judge ( Noahic Flood, Levitical Sacrifices, Canaanite Conquest)? Cosmic Child-abuse : God p unished Jesus on the cross for o ur sins (Penal Substitution)? Human : Original Sin-Guilt on all since the Fall? Feeble, indecisive and totally depraved? God a llows evil? Salvation : Sola Fide—no w orks required? Sola Gratia—God’s law obsolete ? Imputed Righteousness : Just-as-I-have-never-sinned and therefore no Judgment? Filthy Rags Righteousness : Detestable—Don’t even try? Justification : Justified by faith alone? Sinner’s Prayer? Ministry : Sovereign-Micromanaging God—“God-is-in-Control?” Escapism : Endless worship and bliss in heaven forever? Rapture?

3. Genesis 6 Wickedness of Humanity: Human wickedness increases on Earth. God's Regret: God regrets creating humans due to their evil. Noah's Favor: Noah finds favor with God. God's Decision: God decides to destroy all life except Noah's family. Noah's Ark Instructions: God instructs Noah to build an ark and take his family and pairs of animals. Genesis 7 Entering the Ark: Noah, his family, and animals enter the ark. The Flood: Rain falls for 40 days and nights, covering the Earth and destroying all living things. Ark Floats: The ark floats on the waters for 150 days . Genesis 8 Waters Recede: Waters begin to recede; ark rests on Mount Ararat . Raven and Dove: Noah sends a raven and then a dove to check for dry land. Exiting the Ark: Noah, his family, and the animals leave the ark. Noah's Sacrifice: Noah builds an altar and offers sacrifices to God. God's Promise: God promises never to destroy all life with a flood again. Genesis 9 Covenant with Noah: God makes a covenant with Noah, symbolized by a rainbow. Blessings and Instructions: God blesses Noah & his sons, giving instructions about food & the sanctity of life Noah's Drunkenness: Noah plants a vineyard, becomes drunk, and is found naked by his son Ham. Cursing and Blessing: Noah curses Canaan (Ham's son) and blesses Shem and Japheth. Noah's Death: Noah lives 950 years and then dies. The Noahic Flood

4. God’s Wrath and Direct Judgment? Nephilim Gen 6:4-5; grieved, Gen 6:6 Jude 1:6 And the angels who did not keep their own position, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains in deepest darkness for the judgment of the great Day. 2 Peter 2:4-5 For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of deepest darkness to be kept until the judgment; and if he did not spare the ancient world, even though he saved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood on a world of the ungodly   Death from God's perspective: 1 Cor 5:5 I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

5. Passover Slaughter? Exodus 12:23 For the Lord will pass through to strike down the Egyptians; when he sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over that door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you down ." Satan the accuser, father of lies, destroyer, and murderer existed and restrained (destroyer, angel of death in Ex 12:23; 2 Thess. 2:3-6)

6. Canaanite Conquest and Genocide? Reason for the Canaan Conquest : Not Israelites’ righteousness but the Canaanites’ wickedness that they were dispossessed ( Num 13:28, 33; Deut 9:1, 4-5) Numbers 13:28: Yet the people who live in the land are strong, and the towns are fortified and very large; and besides, we saw the descendants of Anak there. Numbers 13:33: There we saw the Nephilim (the Anakites come from the Nephilim); and to ourselves we seemed like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them. Deuteronomy 9:1: Hear, O Israel! You are about to cross the Jordan today, to go in and dispossess nations larger and mightier than you, great cities, fortified to the heavens. Deuteronomy 9:4-5: When the Lord your God thrusts them out before you, do not say to yourself, ‘It is because of my righteousness that the Lord has brought me in to occupy this land’; it is rather because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is dispossessing them before you. It is not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart that you are going in to occupy their land; but because of the wickedness of these nations the Lord your God is dispossessing them before you, in order to fulfill the promise that the Lord made on oath to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. God destroyed the Amorites (Amos 2:9) Amos 2:9: Yet I destroyed the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of cedars, and who was as strong as oaks; I destroyed his fruit above and his roots beneath .

7. The Anakim after the Canaan Conquest Jos 11:21 Joshua 11:21: At that time Joshua came and wiped out the Anakim from the hill country, from Hebron , from Debir , from Anab , and from all the hill country of Judah, and from all the hill country of Israel; Joshua utterly destroyed them with their towns. Killing only the line of the Giants by Jonathan, David's brother. David finished the Canaan Conquest, not a genocide (1 Chr 20:4) 1 Chronicles 20:4: After this, war broke out with the Philistines at Gezer; then Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai , who was one of the descendants of the giants; and the Philistines were subdued. Killing the next giant, Goliath (1 Sam 17:1) 1 Samuel 17:1: Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle; they were gathered at Socoh , which belongs to Judah, and encamped between Socoh and Azekah , in Ephes-dammim . Goliath from Gath, a Philistine territory (Jos 13:2) Joshua 13:2: This is the land that still remains: all the regions of the Philistines , and all those of the Geshurites . The Amorites, one of the Canaan inhabitants, founded the brutal empire of Babylon and they worshipped Baal (Gen 15:16; Amos 2:9 above) Genesis 15:16: And they shall come back here in the fourth generation; for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.

8. Sacrificial Offerings and Examples of Intentional Sins ( Leviticus 1-7, 20, 24) Leviticus 1 Burnt Offerings: Instructions for burnt offerings from cattle, sheep, or birds. Procedure: Offerer lays hands on the animal, kills it, and the priests sprinkle its blood on the altar. Complete Burn: The whole animal is burnt on the altar, creating a pleasing aroma to the Lord. Leviticus 2 Grain Offerings: Instructions for offerings of fine flour, oil, and frankincense. Handling the Offering: A portion is burned on the altar, the rest is for the priests. Unleavened: Offerings should be unleavened and seasoned with salt. Leviticus 3 Peace Offerings: Instructions for peace offerings from cattle, sheep, or goats. Fat and Blood: Only the fat and blood are burned on the altar, the rest is for the priests and the offerer . Prohibition: Consumption of fat and blood is prohibited. Leviticus 4 Sin Offerings: Instructions for sin offerings for unintentional sins. Different Offerings: Varying offerings for priests, the congregation, leaders, and common people. Handling Blood: Blood is sprinkled before the veil and applied to the altar's horns. Leviticus 5 Additional Sin Offerings: Instructions for other sin offerings, including for specific offenses. Guilt Offerings: Procedures for guilt offerings involving unintentional sins requiring restitution. Confession and Restitution: Confession of sin and making restitution with an additional fifth part .

9. Sacrificial Offerings and Examples of Intentional Sins ( Leviticus 1-7, 20, 24) Leviticus 6 Continued Guilt Offerings: Further instructions for guilt offerings. Priests’ Duties: Detailed duties of the priests in handling burnt offerings, grain offerings, and sin offerings. Consumption Rules: Rules for the priests consuming parts of the offerings. Leviticus 7 Further Instructions: Additional rules for guilt offerings and peace offerings. Consumption of Offerings: Rules about what parts can be eaten and by whom. Prohibition of Blood and Fat: Reinforcement of prohibitions against eating blood and fat. Portions for Priests: Portions of offerings designated for priests as their share. Leviticus 20 Prohibitions and Penalties: Detailed prohibitions against various sins including child sacrifice, witchcraft, sexual immorality, and other abominations. Penalties: Specific penalties for each offense, often death or being cut off from the people. Call to Holiness: Emphasis on holiness and separation from other nations' practices. Leviticus 24 Tabernacle Lamps: Instructions for keeping the lamps in the Tabernacle burning continually. Bread of the Presence: Instructions for the weekly arrangement of bread on the Table of the Presence. Blasphemy and Punishment: Incident of blasphemy and subsequent punishment. Principles of Justice: Principles of justice including "an eye for an eye" and equal treatment under the law. Execution: The blasphemer is stoned, emphasizing the severity of blasphemy against God.

10. The Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16, Yom Kippur) Aaron's Preparation: High Priest Aaron must bathe and wear special garments. Sin Offerings: Aaron must offer a bull for his own sins and a goat for the people's sins. Two Goats: One goat is sacrificed for the Lord; the other (scapegoat) is sent into the wilderness, symbolically carrying away the people's sins. Entering the Holy of Holies: Only on this day can the High Priest enter the Holy of Holies, behind the veil, with a cloud of incense Sprinkling Blood: Blood from the sacrifices is sprinkled on the mercy seat and around the altar. Purification Rituals: Detailed rituals for purifying the sanctuary, the tent of meeting, and the altar. Rest and Humility: The Israelites are commanded to rest and humble themselves. Perpetual Statute: This day of atonement is to be a lasting ordinance for all generations.

11. Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 "Speak to the sons of Israel, saying: 'When a woman gives birth and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean for seven days, as in the days of her menstruation she shall be unclean. 3 'On the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. 4 'Then she shall remain in the blood of her purification for thirty-three days; she shall not touch any consecrated thing, nor enter the sanctuary until the days of her purification are completed. 5 'But if she bears a female child, then she shall be unclean for two weeks, as in her menstruation; and she shall remain in the blood of her purification for sixty-six days. 6 'When the days of her purification are completed, for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the doorway of the tent of meeting a one year old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering. 7 'Then he shall offer it before the Lord and make atonement for her, and she shall be cleansed from the flow of her blood. This is the law for her who bears a child, whether a male or a female. 8 'But if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two young pigeons, the one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for her, and she will be clean .'"

12. Childbirth i s S inful? (Lev 12:1-8 )

13. Bleeding as the loss of life = death = unclean Separation of the holy and unholy, and uncleanness followed – expelled from God's sacred space Sin primarily represents inherent human uncleanness or death nature; only secondarily moral failure Inherent uncleanness physically incompatible with the life-giving God, sacred space and His holiness (set apart from all creation ) “ Radioactive" life and death reaction

14. Misconceptions of God : God cannot tolerate human but angry with human sinfulness , directly judged humans by killing them ‘Propitiation’: Appeasement of an offended deity – Protestant, Catholic, ‘ Expitiation ’ (Atonement) Fact : Despite human sinfulness and uncleanness, God has always desired fellowship with humanity. God’s desire for Adam and Eve, after their fall; His choice with the Tabernacle and the Levitical sacrificial system

15. Expitiation : "λαστήριον " ( hilasterion, Rom 3:25-26; 1 Jn 2:1-2; 1 Jn 4:10) Vs. Mercy Seat ( Heb 9:5 ) – the cover of the Ark of the Covenant where the High Priest sprinkled blood on the Day of Atonement to make atonement for the sins of the people ( Lev 16:14-16)—reconciliation & atonement , restoring the broken relationship between God & humanity through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ ( Rom 5:11)

16. A. Burnt Offering Voluntary Atone ritual uncleanness materially Worship (symbolically) B. Grain Voluntary Thanksgiving C. Peace Offering Voluntary Thanksgiving D. Sin Offering E. Guilt Offering Required Atone ritual uncleanness materially Atone unintentional sin symbolically Amends required with Guilt Offering Both offerings with r epentance first

17. The Burnt Offering: Symbolism and Significance a. Blood of the Sacrifice Atonement = “Kippur" (Reconciliation ) “Keppel" = to “ cover ” human inherent uncleanness and death nature Not about erasing the consequences of intentional sinful actions but about covering the inherent uncleanness that separates us from God (Lev 1:5 ) Atonement occurs inside the tent of holiness where ritual uncleanness and anything with death nature cannot enter Lev 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls

18. (Lev 1:5 )

19. God is the one who provided blood through the animals – Adam and Eve;  and Abraham (Gen 3, 22 ) God allowed animals to be killed primarily for atonement and secondarily for food (Lev 17:3-4 ) Symbolically, blood is also used to clear the guilty conscience of those who committed unintentional sin

20. b. The Body of the Sacrif ice The animal represents, substitutes and enables fallen humanity to approach God Offered voluntarily, consumed entirely by fire on the altar – total surrender and dedication (Lev 1:9 ) " Olah " means "that which goes up,“ smoke - offerers ascending to God Offered daily and continuous – constant need and perpetual nature of God's covenant relationship with His people (Ex 29:38-42 ) God’s provision for our return to Him

21. D ay of Atonement: Yom Kippur Leviticus 16:5-22 (ESV): God’s pre-ceremony instructions for Aaron: Selection of Goats : Two male goats are chosen for the sin offering. 5 And he (Aaron) shall take from the congregation of the people of Israel two male goats for a sin offering and one ram for a burnt offering . 6 Aaron shall offer the bull as a sin offering for himself and shall make atonement for himself and for his house . Casting Lots : Lots are cast to determine the fate of each goat—one for the Lord (YHWH) and the other for Azazel (interpreted as a symbolic representation of the forces opposed to God – demons of the wilderness, the satan etc .)

22. D ay of Atonement: Yom Kippur Leviticus 16:5-22 (ESV): 7 Then he shall take the two goats and set them before the Lord at the entrance of the tent of meeting. 8 And Aaron shall cast lots over the two goats , one lot for the Lord and the other lot for Azazel . 9 And Aaron shall present the goat on which the lot fell for the Lord and use it as a sin offering , 10 but the goat on which the lot fell for Azazel shall be presented alive before the Lord to make atonement over it, that it may be sent away into the wilderness to Azazel . 11 Aaron shall present the bull as a sin offering for himself and shall make atonement for himself and for his house . He shall kill the bull as a sin offering for himself. 12 And he shall take a censer full of coals of fire from the altar before the Lord, and two handfuls of sweet incense beaten small , and he shall bring it inside the veil 13 and put the I incense on the fire before the Lord, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is over the testimony, so that he does not die .

23. D ay of Atonement: Yom Kippur Leviticus 16:5-22 (ESV): 14 And he shall take some of the blood of the bull and sprinkle it with his finger on the front of the mercy seat on the east side, and in front of the mercy seat he shall sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times . 15 Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering that is for the people and bring its blood inside the veil and do with its blood as he did with the blood of the bull, sprinkling it over the mercy seat and in front of the mercy seat . 16 Thus he shall make atonement for the Holy Place , because of the uncleannesses of the people of Israel and because of their transgressions , all their sins . And so he shall do for the tent of meeting , which dwells with them in the midst of their uncleannesses. 17 No one may be in the tent of meeting from the time he enters to make atonement in the Holy Place until he comes out and has made atonement for himself and for his house and for all the assembly of Israel . God’s instructions for the actual ceremony for Aaron : 18 Then he shall go out to the altar that is before the Lord and make atonement for it , and shall take some of the blood of the bull and some of the blood of the goat, and put it on the horns of the altar all around. 19 And he shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it and consecrate it from the uncleannesses of the people of Israel . 20 And when he has made an end of atoning for the Holy Place and the tent of meeting and the altar , he shall present the live goat . 21 And Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the iniquities of the people of Israel , and all their transgressions , all their sins . And he shall put them on the head of the goat and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who is in readiness . 22 The goat shall bear all their iniquities on itself to a remote area , and he shall let the goat go free in the wilderness.

24. The Passover The Passover Lamb prefigures the broader system of animal sacrifices established in Leviticus, where blood sacrifices are central to atonement and reconciliation with God ( Lev 17:11 ) 1 . Biblical Account ( Ex 12) Event : The Passover lamb originates from the final plague in Egypt, where God struck down the firstborn of Egypt but spared the Israelites who marked their doorposts with the blood of a sacrificed lamb ( Ex 12:1-30 ) Instructions : God instructed the Israelites to select a lamb without blemish, slaughter it, and apply its blood to their doorposts. They were to eat the lamb with unleavened bread and bitter herbs, and none of it was to remain until morning ( Ex 12:3-10 )

25. The Passover 2 . Institution of Passover : The Passover lamb became a lasting ordinance, commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 12:14-28). This event marks the beginning of the Jewish festival of Passover (Pesach ) Annual Commemoration: T o remember the deliverance from Egypt and reaffirm their identity as God's chosen people ( Ex 12:24-27)   

26. The Passover Significance : 1. Theological : Covenant Relationship : The Passover lamb underscores God's covenant relationship with Israel, emphasizing His role as Redeemer and Protector. Messianic Foreshadowing : In Christian theology, the Passover lamb is seen as a type of Christ, the "Lamb of God" who takes away the sins of the world ( Jn 1:29; 1 Cor 5:7). 2. Liturgical : Seder Meal : The Passover Seder, a ritual meal that includes the retelling of the Exodus story, is centered around the symbolic foods, including lamb, unleavened bread, and bitter herbs. Haggadah : A liturgical text used during the Seder, recounts the story of the Exodus and explains the significance of each element of the meal.

27. Jesus as the High Priest This concept has its roots in the Old Testament priesthood and finds its fulfillment and ultimate significance in Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and ongoing intercession   1 . Old Testament Priesthood Aaronic Priesthood : The concept of priesthood in the Old Testament begins with Aaron and his descendants, who were appointed by God to serve as priests ( Ex 28-29), and were responsible for performing sacrifices, entering the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement, and mediating between God and the people ( Lev 16 ). Melchizedek : Another important figure is Melchizedek, a priest-king who blessed Abraham ( Gen 14:18-20). He is mentioned in Psalm 110:4 as a type of eternal priesthood. 2 . Jesus as the Fulfillment: New Testament Revelation : The New Testament, especially the book of Hebrews, presents Jesus as the fulfillment and perfection of the Old Testament priesthood. He is depicted as both the ultimate High Priest and the perfect sacrificial Lamb, appointed by God ( Heb 5:5-6, citing Psalm 2:7 and Psalm 110:4 ) Jesus ' Priestly Role : Heb 2:17 describes Jesus as a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, making atonement for the sins of the people. High Priest in the Order of Melchizedek : Heb 5:1-10, 6:20, and 7:1-28 emphasize Jesus' eternal priesthood according to the order of Melchizedek, superior to the Aaronic priesthood

28. Jesus as the High Priest Perfect Sacrifice : Unlike the repeated sacrifices of the Old Testament priests, Jesus' sacrifice was perfect and final ( Heb 9:12, 10:10-14). His blood effectively cleanses from sin, providing eternal redemption and access to God ( Heb 9:14, 10:19-22). Once for All Sacrifice : Heb 9:11-28 highlights Jesus as the High Priest who entered the heavenly sanctuary once for all by his own blood, obtaining eternal redemption. Intercession and Continual Advocacy : Heb 7:25 states that Jesus always lives to intercede for those who come to God through him . Jesus ' ongoing role as High Priest involves continual intercession for believers ( Heb 7:25). This ensures that believers have a constant advocate before God, securing their salvation and relationship with Him ( Rom 8:34; 1 Jn 2:1). Mediator : Jesus' priesthood is central to the establishment of the new covenant, which is superior to the old covenant ( Heb 8:6-13). He mediates a covenant based on better promises, ensuring a direct and personal relationship with God for believers ( 1 Tim 2:5) Access to God : Believers can now approach God with confidence and boldness, knowing that Jesus has made a way through his sacrificial death and ongoing priestly ministry ( Heb 4:14-16, 10:19-22 )

29. Biblical Theology of Atonement: God’s Righteousness Revealed Jesus & Passover : "Now the Passover & the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away“ (Mk 14:1); "It was the day of Preparation of the Passover Week, about noon“ ( Jn 19:14); "Now it was the custom at the festival to release a prisoner whom the people requested“ (Mk 15:6); “It was nine in the morning when they crucified him” (Mk 15:25)—for everyone who are willing ( Jn 3:16, 1 Jn 2:2) Jesus ' crucifixion occurred during the Passover week, specifically on the day of Preparation, which was the day before the Passover festival. The Gospel accounts indicate that Jesus was crucified on the same day that the Passover lambs were slaughtered for the Passover meal. This timing underscores the connection between Jesus' crucifixion & the symbolism of the Passover lamb's sacrificial death, emphasizing Jesus as the fulfillment of the Passover festival & the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of humanity Passover – an annual Jewish festival observed to commemorate the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt. It remembers God's miraculous deliverance & the sparing of the firstborns during the final plague in Egypt. It begins at twilight on the 14 th day of the first month (Lev 23:5). The Passover marks the establishment of the covenant between God & His people Israel. Through the observance of the Passover, the Israelites affirmed their identity as God's chosen people & their commitment to obeying His commands The Passover lamb was specifically offered on the 14 th day of the first month (Nisan) in the Jewish calendar, corresponding to the beginning of the Passover festival. It was a one-time annual event, distinct from the regular sacrificial system. & it was selected on the 10 th day of the month & kept by the household until the 14 th day when it was slaughtered & roasted for the Passover meal. The Israelites were instructed to take the blood of the Passover lamb & apply it to the doorposts & lintels of their homes, serving as a sign for the angel of death to pass over their households during the final plague in Egypt (Ex 12:3-6 ; 12:7, 13; 1 Cor 5:7)