Mobile Ed: Tough Topics Bundle (5 courses)

by R. Michael Allen; Thom Blair; Craig S. Keener; Logos Mobile Education

and

3 more

Publisher:

Lexham Press

, 2014–2019

Overview

The Tough Topics Bundle equips you to understand challenging core theological issues within the Bible. In this bundle, leading theologians will guide your research so you can develop your own solid conclusions and convictions regarding doctrines and passages that have challenged theologians over the centuries. Although the subject matter is weighty and complex, these scholars break their seminary-level courses down into 5–10 minute lectures, each with specific learning objectives, additional reading links, and Logos Bible Software helps. These bite-size pieces are perfect for adult learners who don’t want to get lost as they work toward mastering their understanding of difficult passages.

Product Details

• Title: Tough Topics 2017 Bundle
• Publisher: Lexham Press
• Product Type: Logos Mobile Education
• Resource Type: Courseware, including transcripts, audio, and video resources
• Courses: 5
• Video Hours: 27

ET101 Law and Gospel: The Basics of Christian Ethics

• Instructor: Michael Allen
• Video Hours: 5

Michael Allen’s course on the relationship between law and gospel in the Bible works through the tensions and interdependence of these core concepts for Christian faith and living. Dr. Allen will guide you through the Bible and will help you understand how James and Paul view good works and how works relate to faith and justification. You will dig into specific passages, such as the binding of Isaac for sacrifice, and see how they relate to these issues.

Tough Topics in ET101

• Define Antinomianism
• Theological Definitions of Freedom
• What are “Good Works”
• Relationship of Faith and Law
• Paul and James Views on Good Works and Faith
• Paul vs. James on Abraham’s Justification
• The Binding of Isaac for sacrifice
• How Law fits in Redemptive History
• Jesus and Mosaic Law
• The Sabbath

Course Outline

Introduction

• Introducing the Speaker and the Course

Unit 1: The Gospel and Good Works

• Philippians 1:3–11 as a Guide
• The Antinomian Charge
• Defining Freedom
• Christ and Discipleship: Evangelical Freedom
• Metaphysics and Ethics: Indicative and Imperative
• What Are Good Works?
• Faith, Hope, and Love
• The Dynamic of Faith and Law
• Paul and James on Good Works
• Motivations for Obedience
• Luther on Law and Gospel
• Calvin on Law and Gospel
• Covenant Theology
• Covenant of Works
• Covenant of Grace
• The Marrow of Modern Divinity

Unit 2: The Ten Commandments

• The Law in Redemptive History
• Biblical Witness #1: Jesus and the Mosaic Law
• Biblical Witness #2: The Jerusalem Council
• Biblical Witness #3: Paul and the Law
• New Perspective on Paul
• The Tripartite Distinction in Biblical and Historical Theology
• The First Commandment
• The First Commandment as Axiom
• The Second Commandment
• The Third Commandment
• The Fourth Commandment
• The Fifth Commandment
• The Sixth Commandment
• The Seventh Commandment
• The Eighth Commandment
• The Ninth Commandment
• The Tenth Commandment
• Love and Law

Unit 3: Contextualization

• Deuteronomy as Example
• The Gospels as Example
• Hebrews as Example
• Postmodernity and Contextualization
• A Biblical View of Contexts
• Imitation of Christ
• Imitation of the Saints
• The Third Commandment as an Example of Contextualization

Conclusion

• Course Summary

NT395 Perspectives on Paul: Reformation and the New Perspective

• Instructor: Stephen Chester
• Video Hours: 7

The New Perspective on Paul movement has redefined the bounds of theological discussions around the atonement and justification by faith alone. Dr. Stephen Chester has devoted his career to these doctrines and will equip you to understand all of the positions and key players. You will learn how crucial texts that deal with the works of the law and the faith of Christ have been interpreted throughout church history. He also will help you explore how various understandings of “the flesh” and “this present evil age” influence this area of theology and Christian living.

Tough Topics in NT395

• OT vs. NT view of Righteousness
• Covenantal Nomism
• View of Paul’s Conscience & Historical Views on “the flesh”
• Define “Works of the Law” through history
• Views of Justification
• Views of the definition of “sin” and “evil”
• Define “this present evil age”
• What is NT Wright all about?
• Galatians 2:16 “Works of the Law”
• Galatians 2:16 Relationship of “faith” and “Christ”
• Views on Atonement and Union with Christ

Course Outline

Unit 1: The Context of the Class: A Pauline Revolution

• The Influence of the Reformation: Part 1
• The Influence of the Reformation: Part 2
• The Challenge of the Reformers
• The Nature of Reception History

Unit 2: What Is the New Perspective on Paul?

• A New View of Judaism: Part 1
• A New View of Judaism: Part 2
• A New View of the "Works of the Law"
• A New View of Paul’s Conscience
• A New View of Justification: Part 1
• A New View of Justification: Part 2
• Perceived Strenghts of the New Perspectve on Paul
• The New Perspective on Paul and the Reformers

Unit 3: The Human Plight apart from Christ

• Paul’s Anthropology: Sin in Contemporary Scholarship: Part 1
• Paul’s Anthropology: Sin in Contemporary Scholarship: Part 2
• Paul’s Anthropology: The Flesh in Reformation Scholarship
• Paul’s Anthropology: The Flesh in Contemporary Scholarship
• Misunderstanding the Reformers: Paul’s Conscience
• Misunderstanding the Reformers: the Law and the Conscience
• The Human Plight Apart From Christ: Conclusion

Unit 4: Salvation in Christ: Establishing the Issues

• Introducing Three Key Issues in Paul’s Soteriology
• Salvation in Christ: Medieval Paraphrase and Paradigm
• Salvation in Christ: Reformation Paraphrase and Paradigm
• Salvation in Christ: New Perspective Paraphrase and Paradigm

Unit 5: Salvation in Christ: The Works of the Law

• The Works of the Law: The Exegetical Nature of Disagreement
• The Works of the Law: The Nature of Judaism
• The Works of the Law: Exegetical Data Supporting the New Persepective on Paul
• The Works of the Law: Exegetical Data Supporting Reformation Perspectives
• The Works of the Law: Texts Emphasizing Ethical Achievement
• What of Gal 2:16 Itself?
• Conclusions on the Exegetical Debate Concerning the Works of the Law

Unit 6: Salvation in Christ: Justification by Faith

• The Implied View of the Reformers
• Justification: Introducing Martin Luther
• Luther on Christ Present in Faith
• Luther on Living an Alien Life: Part 1
• Luther on Living an Alien Life: Part 2
• Conclusion on Luther
• Introduction to Philip Melanchthon
• Melanchthon’s Own Contribution
• Melanchthon and Renewal: Part 1
• Melanchthon and Renewal: Part 2
• Introducing John Calvin
• Justification and Union with Christ in Calvin
• Calvin on Justification: The Bond of the Spirit
• The Reformers and Justification: Some Conclusions
• Incorporated Righteousness

Unit 7: Salvation in Christ: Faith in Christ/Faithfulness of Christ

• The Pistis Christou Debate: Translation Options
• The Pistis Christou Debate: What is at Stake: Part 1
• The Pistis Christou Debate: What is at Stake: Part 2
• The Pistis Christou Debate: What is at Stake: Part 3

Unit 8: Good Works in Relation to Justification by Faith and Union with Christ

• The Works of the Believer
• Gal 5:6 and Faith Formed by Love: Part 1
• Gal 5:6 and Faith Formed by Love: Part 2
• The Works of Faith and Justification: Part 1
• The Works of Faith and Justification: Part 2

Unit 9: Romans 4 as Test Text

• Introduction: Why Is This Text So Central?
• Reformaton Trajectories
• Introduction to N.T. Wright on Romans 4
• Strengths of N.T. Wright on Romans 4
• Weaknesses of N.T. Wright on Romans 4: Part 1
• Weaknesses of N.T. Wright on Romans 4: Part 2
• Weaknesses of N.T. Wright on Romans 4: Part 3
• Conclusions on Romans 4: Part 1
• Conclusions on Romans 4: Part 2

Unit 10: Reflections on the Perspectives

• The Advances of the New Perspective on Paul
• Problems with the New Perspective on Paul
• Reconciliation of the Perspectives
• Ministry Implications: Part 1
• Ministry Implications: Part 2
• Ministry Implications: Part 3

OT291 The Jewish Trinity: How the Old Testament Reveals the Christian Godhead

• Instructor: Michael S. Heiser
• Video Hours: 4

The Jewish Trinity course was the precursor to Dr. Heiser’s best-selling book The Unseen Realm. Dr. Heiser focuses on many difficult passages, such as ones dealing with the divine council and supernatural beings in the Old Testament and how these relate to the teaching that God is one.

Tough Topics in OT291

• Elohim in the OT is plural vs. the doctrine of Monotheism (The “shema”)
• What is the Yahweh’s Council?
  • Divine Council in Psalm 82 (segment 8)
• “Elemental Spirits” in Galatians 4 (seg. 16)
• Aren’t the Host of Heaven Just Celestial Objects rather than actual beings? (unit 4)
• Second Yahweh of the Old Testament (seg. 22) - the angel of the Lord
• Can Seeds of a Christian Trinity be found in the OT (unit 10)
• Jehovah’s Witness and Mormon Views of the Trinity (seg. 50 and 51)

Course Outline

Introduction

• Introducing the Speaker and Coruse

Unit 1: How Do I Respond to a Jewish Objection to the Christian Trinity?

• The Core Beliefs of Judaism
• Accessing and Using Hebrew Dictionaries
• The First Problem with Understanding Monotheism
• Comparing English Translations with the Text Comparison Tool
• The Second Problem with Understanding Monotheism
• Searching English Bibles for the Words of Christ
• Understanding Elohimand the Implications for the Godhead

Unit 2: What Is Yahweh’s Council?

• The Divine Council in Psalm 82
• The Role of the Divine Council
• Using the NET Bible Notes to Find Manuscript Differences

Unit 3: Doesn’t the Old Testament Deny the Existence of Other Gods?

• No God Besides Yahweh
• Searching for Different Forms of a Phrase from Isaiah 47:8
• The Logic of Idolatry in the Ancient World
• Idols in Psalm 115
• Idols in 1 Corinthians 8
• “Elemental Spirits” in Galatians 4
• Using the BDAG Greek Lexicon to Determine a Word’s Meaning

Unit 4: Aren’t the Host of Heaven Just Celestial Objects Rather Than Actual Beings?

• The “Host of Heaven” in the Old Testament
• Summary of Divine Plurality in the Old Testament

Unit 5: What Other Being Was Identified with Yahweh?

• The Godhead in Ancient Judaism
• The Biblical Evidence for Two Powers in Heaven
• The Second Yahweh of the Old Testament
• Yahweh and the Angel of Yahweh
• Yahweh and “The Word”
• Yahweh and the “Cloud Rider”

Unit 6: Did Jews Really Believe in Two Powers?

• The Jewish Belief in a Second Yahweh Figure
• Jewish Interpretations of the Second Power: Exalted Humans
• Jewish Interpretations of the Second Power: Important Angels
• Finding and Understanding Early Jewish Writings
• Jewish Interpretations of the Second Power: The Logos

Unit 7: How Did the New Testament Writers Understand the Second Yahweh Figure?

• The Second Yahweh and “The Word”
• The Second Yahweh and “The Angel”
• The Second Yahweh and “The Name”
• Finding where “The Name” Refers to God
• The Second Yahweh and the “Rider on the Clouds”
• Jesus as the Second Yahweh

Unit 8: How Does the Language of Divine Plurality Relate to Jesus as God’s “Only Begotten” Son?

• Jesus as God’s “Only Begotten” Son
• Understanding the Greek Term Monogenēs
• Using the Bible Word Study to Explore the Meaning of Monogenēs

Unit 9: How Did New Testament Writers Express Belief that Jesus Was Unique among the Sons of God?

• Review of Divine Plurality in Psalm 82
• Jesus’ Quotation of Psalm 82:6 in John 10:34
• Interpreting Psalm 82:6 in John 10:34 (Part One)
• Interpreting Psalm 82:6 in John 10:34 (Part Two)
• Creating Collections of Commentaries to Study Psalm 82
• Understanding Jesus’ Use of Psalm 82:6 in John 10:34

Unit 10: Can Seeds of a Christian Trinity Be Found in the Old Testament?

• Seeds of a Christian Trinity in Isaiah 63 and Psalm 78
• Seeds of a Christian Trinity in Ezekiel 8
• New Testament Use of Old Testament Godhead Language
• Summary of Old Testament Godhead Language

Unit 11: How Does an Old Testament Godhead Address the Claims of other Religions?

• The Old Testament Godhead and Jehovah’s Witnesses
• The Old Testament Godhead and Mormonism
• The Old Testament Godhead and Academic Skepticism
• The Old Testament Godhead and Jewish Evangelism

Conclusion

• Summary of the Course

TH275 Sacramental Theology

• Instructor: Peter J. Leithart
• Video Hours: 2

The Bible presents some peculiar rites, such as circumcision and Communion, and we often feel uneasy when talking about certain sacramental ideas, like eating Jesus’ body. Dr. Leithart provides direction for understanding what sacraments are and how they function in the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the church today.

Tough Topics in TH275

• Function of Baptism (seg 8-9) 1 Cor 1, Rom 6
• Lord’s Table (seg. 10)
• How Many Sacraments? (Seg 12)
• What is a Sacrament and what does it do?

Course Outline

Unit 1: Introduction: What Are Sacraments?

• Introducing the Speaker and the Course
• A Rite of the Christian Church
• Sacraments and Church

Unit 2: Sacraments and the Old Covenant

• Sacraments of the Law
• Rites of Worship, Purification, Access, and Atonement
• Signs and Rites Mark Out a People

Unit 3: Sacraments of the New Covenant

• Rites That Declare Old Testament Promises Are Fulfilled in Christ
• Baptism: 1 Corinthians and Galatians
• Baptism: Romans 6
• The Lord’s Supper
• Enacted Fulfillment of Promises

Unit 4: Conclusion to the Course

• How Many Sacraments?
• Reviewing the Basics

NT385 Book Study: Revelation

• Instructor: Craig S. Keener
• Video Hours: 9

Finally, notable New Testament scholar Craig Keener will guide you through the many difficult passages in the book of Revelation and help you develop your understanding of challenging topics like the mark of the beast, the 144,000, the end being “soon,” the tribulation, heavenly combat, the millennium, and more.

Tough Topics in NT385

• Interpretive Principles for Reading Revelation (seg. 3)
• Symbols: 666 and Babylon (seg 7)
• Mark of the Beast (seg 8)
• The Time is Soon (seg 14)
• Period of Tribulation (seg 27)
• God’s End-Time Army - who are the 144,000 (seg 36)
• Eating the Scroll (seg 40)
• Mother, Child and the Dragon (seg 43)
• Celestial Combat (Seg 45)
• Identifying the Beasts (unit 7)
• The Reign of God (unit 9)
• Views of the Millennium (seg 62)

Course Outline

Introduction

• Introducing the Speaker and the Course

Unit 1: How to Approach Revelation

• An Overview of Commentaries
• Central Themes in Revelation
• Interpretive Principles for Reading Revelation
• Reading Revelation Badly
• Common Questions When Interpreting Revelation
• Reapplied Symbols in Revelation
• Exploring Symbols: 666 and Babylon
• The Symbolism of the Mark of the Beast
• The Time Structure of Revelation
• Emperor Worship and the Setting of Revelation
• The Context of Apocalyptic Literature
• Comparing Revelation and Other Apocalyptic Texts

Unit 2: The Beginning of Revelation

• Jesus in Revelation
• The Time Is Soon
• Epistolary Introduction
• The Centrality of Jesus
• The Narrative Introduction
• The Portrayal of Jesus
• Jesus among the Lampstands
• The Seven Stars and the Seven Angels

Unit 3: The Messages to the Seven Churches

• The Church at Ephesus
• The Church at Smyrna
• The Church at Pergamum
• The Church at Thyatira
• The Church at Sardis
• The Church at Philadelphia
• Excursus: The Period of Tribulation
• The Church at Laodicea, Part 1
• The Church at Laodicea, Part 2

Unit 4: The Throne Room Vision

• A Scene of Heavenly Worship
• The Elders and the Four Creatures
• Jesus the Lamb
• Hymns of Redemption

Unit 5: Opening the Seven Seals

• Seals of Judgment
• Martyrs as Sacrifices
• God’s End-Time Army
• Interpreting the 144,000
• Reapplying Traditional Biblical Symbols
• Plague of Locusts
• Eating the Scroll

Unit 6: Key Imagery in Revelation

• Two Witnesses and the Temple
• The Earth Belongs to God
• The Mother, the Child, and the Dragon
• A Reapplication of Time
• Celestial Combat

Unit 7: Identifying the Beasts

• The Beast from the Sea
• The Dragon, the Beast, and the Lamb
• The Parody of the Beast
• The Beast’s Name

Unit 8: The Beginning of Judgment

• The Army on Mount Zion
• Announcements of Judgment
• God’s Winepress
• Bowls of God’s Anger
• The Plagues Begin
• Babylon the Prostitute
• The Kings of the Earth
• Babylon’s Economy
• The Arrogance of Rome
• The Economics of Rome
• Crucial Imports

Unit 9: The Reign of God

• The Beginning of God’s Reign
• Views of the Millennium
• The Millennium as a Literary Device
• New Heavens and Earth
• A Depiction of the City
• The Glory of God’s City

Conclusion

• Final Thoughts