Unit 7 Deuteronomy 6

Deuteronomy 6:1-9 is essentially the culmination of laws given during the covenant renewal of the seconded generation of Israel following the Exodus from Egypt. From God, Moses relays to the Israelites, while they are waiting to enter into the Promised Land, that they must obey the commands God gave them previously in Deuteronomy 4, so they would fear God when they inhabit the land of Canaan; additionally, if they do they will enjoy a long and prosperous life, and Israel will expand just as He promised their ancestor Abraham in Genesis 17. Secondly, Moses relays what is later established by Christ as the greatest commandment in Matthew 22:37, and this is: love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. Moses then voices that these commands should always be on their hearts and in their thoughts.

In this way, the entire philosophy of ancient Israel is bound up in a few short lines. Moses expresses concern that the people would be seduced by other gods. The verses that follow demonstrate this worry. Uttering the Shema declares Israel’s complete, undivided, and unqualified attention to the Supreme Commander. This is no mere monotheistic confession, this is a cry of allegiance, an affirmation of covenant confession for all those who claim the verbal badge of identity and demonstrate their obedience

The whole book of Deuteronomy is telling the story of a people that made a deal with God. They made promises to serve him according to the way that he wanted to be served. Deuteronomy laid out all the wonderful things that would happen to them if they were obedient and kept their promises. It also laid out what would happen if they did not keep their promise. It was pretty harsh too.

In 1:1-2:4a paints a picture of God as the royal King, addressing his people with what he wanted to happen during the creation period (Tullock & McEntire, 2012). Also in 2:4b-2:25 shows the portrait of God as a normal human being just like us. He created each person, held conversations with them and disciplined them as a father would a child when needed. Israel's understanding of God was that he was their one and only God that was the creator of the world.

The Holy Bible authorities people to be evangelists for Jesus Christ, and they will impart their beliefs on others, therefore knowing the doctrine of Jesus Christ is important.

Each member of the Trinity has a primary function. The Father is the creator, who originates the plan of salvation. The Son is the Redeemer, who provides the remedy for human sin. Lastly, the Spirit, who is the Sanctifier applies this salvation, growing new spiritual life.

There are three foundational points in this theological approach that provide comprehension for that which seems beyond understanding --- God in one being; God in three persons. First, the main idea is centered on joining with Christ in the continuing ministry that substantiates the

A. The Trinity of memory, understanding and will (or love) is the true image of God in human mind. V. Role of mind is in the knowledge of the God’s image. A. The Trinity mark is presented in every creature, including man.

As we all know, Moses was perhaps one of the most influential characters in the Bible. With this being said, Deuteronomy has become an interesting book to study in the Bible. During this particular book, Moses is delivering the final speeches to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. However, there has been a lot of controversy with the placement of Deuteronomy. If we take a look at the book Numbers, the Israelites are ‘poised’ to enter the Promised Land. In the beginning of Joshua, they follow through with this action. Also, there are many scholars believe that the speeches of Moses were written at a later time and then put back into his mouth. We can understand all of these questions through the documentary hypothesis and the

In order to properly worship, imitate, and love our Lord, we must seek to know who our God is. However, fathoming the Lord becomes an anguishing process for those who seek to decipher the mystery of the Trinity while adhering the systematic philosophies and sciences that comprise Post-Enlightenment’s standards of reason. Instead, seeking to know our God revealed in three persons invites modern Christians to expand their theological imaginations by returning to the early mysticisms and spiritual practices of the early Christian Fathers and Mothers who created our doctrine of Trinity. In order to complete this task of better understanding the mystery of the trinity, we will first explain the historic doctrinal framework of the trinity, then

Surely as God creates the grandeur of life, He holds an expectation for the humans He crafts in His image. As Old Testament generations pass, the gap between expectation and reality widens, and God must establish commandments of His desire for humanity through Moses. His want is for humanity to love Him by way of obedience out of fear of His power. It is not possible for humans to fear or love God without keeping to his commandments. Therefore God’s ultimate desire for humanity is obedience, displayed in His readiness to favor those who submit to him and punish though who do not.

In the covenantal promise at Sinai, He makes this clear. The first commandment in the Decalogue states that "you shall have no other gods before me" (Ex. 20:3) which establishes that God works alone and is not part of a pantheon. He is not one god among many, but the one True God. As well, when God reveals His name, YHWH, to His people and establishes the Law, the Old Testament format for the covenant is very similar to the Hittite treaties and Assyrian treaties from the Late Bronze Age. This reflects the character of God to reveal His law and the covenant relationship in a language and custom that His chosen people are familiar with. He is a thoughtful and compassionate God who communicates in a way that His people will understand. Though treaties were common in this time, no deity had ever entered into a treaty with humans - which further reveals His unique covenant relationship with His people. As well, the treaties typically expressed a suzerain and vassal type relationship, and it is possible that YHWH is even further establishing His royal rule and relationships with His people as their faithful King. Through the formation of Israel as God's chosen people depicted in the covenant at Sinai, His care and promises are evidenced through a royal inscription by an Egyptian pharaoh on the Merneptah Stele (ca. 1209) which mentions that Israel was established as a people in the land of

Living in a post Christian world presents a number of challenges or, depending on one’s perspective, opportunities, for the evangelical church. Many Christian terms, once considered common vernacular, have become abstruse or even obsolete to the ordinary person. Christians, especially those holding positions of leadership in churches, now find themselves in need of answers to theological questions that forego the use of theological language. Few theological concepts rival, in difficulty of understanding, that of a Triune God. Concerning the Trinity, J.I. Packer insists that it is “perhaps the most difficult thought that the human mind has ever been asked to handle.” Understanding then, who the individual members of the Trinity are is a complicated task. Furthermore, explaining that truth to a new believer in today’s context can seem daunting. Father and Son are concepts that most individuals can relate to on some level. However, in today’s culture, Spirit can mean a myriad of things.

As a result, fellowship, prayer, Bible study, worship, and most importantly salvation in its purest form can be discerned and acted upon correctly. In addition, a further understanding can be thus gained regarding the person of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Finally, heresies and heretical groups or beliefs can lead God’s followers astray from the truth and create an improper understanding, and thus relationship with God. Positions past and present have, and are, attempting to mislead Christians about the Trinity. A skewed view of the Trinity can result in a view of God as either divinely apart from creation or simply a better version of all the best attributes of humans. Some positions even take away from the Divinity of Jesus Christ. All of these views severely diminish who God is and alters a proper and true relationship and worship. It is a necessity that these errant views be exposed as a hindrance to God in order not to mislead God’s followers. Likewise a Biblically sound explanation of the Trinity is needed. As a result, a true and pure knowledge of the concept of the Trinity is crucially needed to understand God and be obedient to the Bible.

The role of the son or Jesus is the savior and teacher. The role of the Holy Spirit is the empowerer and evangelist. All these roles combined equal a mystical element that describes the Trinity or another name is Godhead. To understand the Trinity, God is the sun that shines while Jesus is the rays of the sun and the Holy Spirit is the warmth that is felt from the sun. All personalities are equal and combined together called the Trinity.