Christmas, 2004

[Dr. Manuel recently provided me with the Christmas letters he and his wife Linda have sent each year since 2001.
One of the annual letters will be posted each day over the next two weeks.]

Dr. and Mrs. Paul Manuel

Christmas 2004

Dear Friends and Family,

After thirty years of marriage and, between school and ministry, almost as many years of wandering, we are in our new home this holiday season. It is a modest (1860 sq. ft.) three-bedroom ranch, yet with a full basement and attached two-car garage, having a lovely view of the rural Pennsylvania countryside. We have been able to unpack many things that have followed us from place to place but never made it out of boxes. Linda, who had been watching the Home and Garden channel for quite a while, hoping one day to apply some of the program's ideas, has been enjoying the opportunity to paint and decorate. We have even remodeled one of the basement rooms as a gym, eliminating the need to drive thirty miles to the YMCA.

At this time last year, we were looking for a house but (I, at least, was) not very optimistic about finding one that we could afford and that would meet our needs—let alone some of our wants. We looked at several other places, but none was quite right for us. When, through a series of circumstance we could not have orchestrated, we were able to purchase this place, we were thrilled and conscious of God's gracious hand in the process.

As I was selecting the music for our Christmas program this year, a combination of congregational hymns and choir pieces, the familiar "Away in a Manger" caught my attention. One hymnal resource describes it as "the musical equivalent of a child's Christmas card with its quaint nativity scene colored by crayons or markers."

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head;
The stars in the sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The lilting melody only enhances "the childlike charm" of this lullaby.

Although the contrast between Jesus' situation and our situation has always been evident, it made a particular impression upon me this year. We celebrate our first Christmas in a new home; he celebrated his first Christmas (so to speak) in no home.

[When Mary] gave birth to her firstborn, a son, [s]he wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7)

Our appreciation of the contrast is even greater when we consider what he gave up for us. The apostle Paul writes:

Christ Jesus...being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (Philippians 2:5-7)

Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)

The wonder of Christmas is that Jesus' sacrifice did not begin at the cross; it began at his birth.

May the love of Jesus, who gave his life for us, encourage you to trust him and inspire you to serve him. And may God grant you His peace and blessing this New Year.

Pastor and Linda

Christmas, 2003

[Dr. Manuel recently provided me with the Christmas letters he and his wife Linda have sent each year since 2001.
One of the annual letters will be posted each day over the next two weeks.]

Dr. and Mrs. Paul Manuel

Christmas 2003

Dear Family and Friends,

Several years ago, Linda and I were doing graduate studies at a small Christian school in Jerusalem, Israel. As November turned into December, she remarked that it did not "feel" like Christmas, and for us it was, indeed, a very different holiday than we had spent before. Circumstances made trimming our own tree impractical. Our lean financial situation, coupled with final exams right to the last minute, meant that we would not exchange presents. The most obvious contrast to previous seasons, however, was that in Israel the merchant community was not geared up for its biggest push of the year, so the streets and shop windows were not creating an atmosphere of expectation. Oh, there were special activities and decorations in the school and in many churches, but for the vast majority of us in Israel, it was "business as usual." Although we certainly missed our family and friends, those different circumstances enabled us to catch a fresh glimpse of the birth of Jesus.

It is this concept of "business as usual" that we often miss in the States. I am not suggesting that our preparation is bad or that the commercialism surrounding Christmas does not in some way focus public attention on the event the holiday commemorates. There is little doubt, though, that the build-up here does obscure to some extent what God has done in history by sending his son, for in those days it was, after all, "business as usual."

• The emperor, Caesar Augustus, in his on-going efforts to streamline Roman administration, ordered an empire-wide census, probably with an eye toward taxation.

• The governor, Herod, after finally realizing his political aspirations, was beginning to reap the fruit of the political intrigue he had sown earlier and was extremely suspicious of anyone he thought might usurp his position.

• The common people, those not traveling to their home towns for the census, were engaged in their normal occupations, like the shepherds tending their flocks.

In general, people operated on the principle that "everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation" (2 Pet 3:4), and their assumption was not without some justification. Many years had passed since the last known instance of divine intervention (when Judah, the Maccabee, defeated the Syrian army of Antiochus Epiphanes in 164 B.C.), and the memory of that event was considerably dimmed by this period of Roman domination. Consequently, few people were ready for what God was about to do. Caesar, Herod, and the people of Israel were understandably conducting "business as usual."

Jesus' incarnation, though, represents God's interruption of human affairs, a disruption in the status quo. His advent was intended to startle men into a recognition and wonder of God at work. Nevertheless, most failed to see it.

• It is doubtful that Caesar even heard of Jesus' birth. Unless there was a direct threat to the security of the empire, the emperor would not concern himself with the affairs of any single Roman province.

• Herod was overwhelmed by his own problem of maintaining the political control for which he had struggled so long to acquire. He viewed the announcement of Jesus' birth solely as a threat to that control and sought to eliminate it as quickly as possible.

• Only a very few, like the shepherds, recognized the birth for what it was—a divine interruption in human affairs—and interrupted their own "business as usual" to wonder at what God had done.

It was in this light that we came to appreciate Christmas in Israel. Around us, life went on; it was "business as usual." There was no visible expectation. It did not "feel" any different, but Jesus came into just such a world, and into the same world he shall return (Matt 24:37-39). I hope that we will be among the few expectant ones at his next advent (Matt 24:44). May this Christmas help us all to prepare for that great event.

Pastor and Linda

Christmas, 2002

[Dr. Manuel recently provided me with the Christmas letters he and his wife Linda have sent each year since 2001.
One of the annual letters will be posted each day over the next two weeks.]

Dr. and Mrs. Paul Manuel

Christmas 2002

Dear Friends and Family,

Although a year has passed since the horrific events of the 9/11 attack, we still wrestle with the revelation that there are those intent on our harm who will not rest until they have destroyed us. Claiming a religious mandate from Allah, these followers of Muhammad would conquer the world for Islam, and it matters little if the method is peaceful or forceful. Is this, indeed, how God operates? Does He want His devotees to advance the kingdom of heaven by whatever means necessary?

The answer God provided is what we rehearse each year at this time: the birth of Jesus, who came in obscurity, who lived in humility, and who died in charity.

For God sent not his Son...to condemn the world,
but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:17)

For the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto,
but to minister and to give his life a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45)

God patiently and persistently calls people to embrace this good news, but He coerces no one. He wants our willing commitment not our grudging compliance, and He expects those who serve Him to spread the good news accordingly.

It is amazing that the transcendent God would concern Himself with our iniquity and send His own Son as the remedy. He could easily ignore us, yet He does not. It is amazing that the omnipotent God would care enough for our integrity and want our acceptance to be only voluntary. He could easily compel us, yet He does not. This is how God operates, and this is how we receive eternal life.

Although two thousand years have passed since the humble event of the first Christmas, we still wonder at the revelation that there is one intent on our good who will not rest until He has delivered us. May what God did in the past to secure the future give you hope and peace this day and in the days to come.

Pastor and Linda

Christmas, 2001

[Dr. Manuel recently provided me with the Christmas letters he and his wife Linda have sent each year since 2001.
One of the annual letters will be posted each day over the next two weeks.]

Dr. and Mrs. Paul Manuel
Christmas 2001

Dear Friends and Family,

As angels announced to the shepherds, Christmas is a joyful time to praise God for His wonderful gift of the messiah.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.
(Luke 2:14)

Recent events, however, have tempered that joy for many. The memories of September 11, still vivid in our minds, the threats of further attacks in this country, as well as the on-going terrorist assaults in Israel, make us wonder if peace is an elusive ideal. Ours, of course, is not the only generation to face this question.

In 701 B.C., the Assyrian army swept through villages in Judah, bringing in its wake destruction to the land and death to the people. Sennacherib, having heard about Judah's refusal to surrender, sought to crush resistance town by town. It was an act of excessive cruelty, and Jeremiah described the anguish of that period for God's people, personified by Rachel.

A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because her children are no more.
(Jer 31:15)

Those who fled managed to survive, but what future did they have? To them, God offered hope.

Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears.... There is hope for your future.... Your children will return to their own land. (Jer 31:16-17)

Three hundred years later, on a smaller scale but still with devastating results, the Roman army swept through villages in Judea. Herod, having heard about the birth of a Jewish king and wanting to eliminate this potential threat, sought to kill all male children who might fit the description. It was an act of excessive cruelty, and Mathew described the anguish of that period for God's people with familiar words.

A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more. (Matt 2:18)

Those who fled, like Jesus' parents, managed to survive, but what future did they have? To them, God offered hope.

Go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child's life are dead. (Matt 2:20)

Neither in Jeremiah's day nor in Mathew's day was peace especially evident. On the contrary, peace seemed an elusive ideal. Nevertheless, God encouraged His people with the hope of better times ahead.

Today, as we battle forces that threaten peace, it remains an elusive ideal. We need not flee to survive, but the future is still in doubt. Nevertheless, God encourages us with the hope of better times ahead, hope that begins at Christmas.

For to us a child is born...and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called...Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. (Isa 9:6-7)

No matter how the forces of evil attempt to impose their own version of the future, God has determined a different outcome. May that hope of better times ahead enable you to rejoice and praise God this season for His wonderful gift of the messiah.

Pastor and Linda

Final redemption for the wicked?

Is There a Final Redemption of the Wicked?¹
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2006

Some Christians, who have difficulty reconciling God's love with His justice, believe that God will give those who rejected His grace in life an opportunity to accept that grace after death, immediately or following a period of punishment. At some point, most or all of the dead will turn to Him and be saved, a view known as universalism. Proponents of this view appeal to passages that allegedly support the notion that Jesus gave Old Testament sinners, those who had never heard the gospel, a second chance to repent.

The first passages to which advocates of universalism appeal are in Peter's first epistle where the apostle allegedly sets forth the idea that those who believed in Jesus after death, the savior then brought with him to heaven.

1 Pet 3:18b He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19 through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20a who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.

1 Pet 4:6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

Does Peter teach a final redemption of the wicked after death? This interpretation reads more into the apostle's statements than is there and does not have the strong, unambiguous support necessary for such an unorthodox doctrine. It fails to convince on several counts.

The Mark of the Beast (Rev 13:16-18)

The Mark of the Beast (Rev 13:16-18)¹
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2013

The apostle John, in his Revelation, mentions a mark that the antichrist's agent will impose on many people during the tribulation period.

Rev 13:16 He [the false prophet] also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, 17 so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. 18 This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666.

What is this mark of the Beast?

As "the father of lies" (John 8:44), Satan attempts to promote his agenda through deception, using "all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders" (2 Thess 2:9).² The mark of the beast is ultimately Satan's mark and is yet another example of the devil's trickery. What, then, can we say about it?

The first thing to note is that...

I. Satan's mark is an imitation of God's mark (Deut 11:18).

God's wrath and God's people

God's Wrath and God's People:
A Case of Collateral Damage¹
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2009

The assertion, as some advocates of a pre-tribulation rapture contend, that believers will not be present when God pours out His wrath on the wicked, fails on two counts.² First, it lacks the support of examples from scripture when God has removed the righteous from the scene of His judgment and, second, it does not account for counter-examples in scripture, those times when the Lord executed judgment against the ungodly despite the presence of the godly. Such instances are always when the wicked significantly outnumber the righteous³ and, whereas the focus of divine anger is against the wicked, the righteous community is not necessarily spared from unpleasantness and may even suffer collateral damage.⁴

• When God brought the flood on earth's wicked, He did not remove earth's righteous, who had to endure the flood,⁵ albeit from the safety of the ark.⁶

• When God brought the plagues against Egypt, He did not remove the Israelites, who had to endure at least some of God's judgment.⁷

Rapture review

Rapture Review—Events That Occur Together at the End¹
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2000

Christians who hold to a pre-tribulation rapture of the saints distinguish passages that actually refer to the same event, as denoted by common features. The following list of five passages links such features as the savior's return, the saints' rapture, the saints' resurrection, the (final) trumpet announcement, and the culmination of the Great Tribulation, indicating that they will all happen around the same time and not as widely spaced events.

• The Savior's return and the Saints' rapture will occur with trumpet announcement "after the tribulation." (Matt 24:29-31)

Matt 24:29a ...immediately after the tribulation of those days.... 30c ...they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. 31 And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.

•  The Saints' resurrection will occur with (the last) trumpet announcement. (1 Cor 15:52)

1 Cor 15:52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

A pre-millennial summary

A Pre-Millennial Summary of the Future¹
pdf with bibliography and footnotes
Dr. Paul Manuel—2011

Having determined that Pre-millennialism offers the most straightforward, consistent, and comprehensive treatment of final events in scripture,² we will now consider that view in more detail.³

1. God will pour out His wrath on unrepentant man (Rev 6:15-17; 9:20-21; 16:21).⁴

• This will trigger a reaction from Satan, whom angelic forces will drive out of heaven (Rev 12:7-9; cf. Luke 10: 18).⁵

• Satan, realizing that time is running out, will launch a last-ditch counter-offensive against Israel (= Great Tribulation) but will fail to destroy God's people (Rev 12:1017).⁶

• Satan will gather his armies at Armageddon to face the messiah (Jesus), who is the embodiment of God's wrath (Rev 19:11-16,19; cf. Joel 3:3, 9-16).⁷

2. Jesus will appear to establish God's kingdom on earth (Rev 19:11-16).⁸

• He will engage and defeat Israel's (and, by implication, his) enemies at the Battle of Armageddon, slaughtering the invading armies (Zech 14:3, 12-15; Rev 19:19-21) and imprisoning Satan (Rev 20:1-3).⁹

End times

Major Views of Future Events¹
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2011

Pre-millennialism presents the most likely outcome of the cosmic conflict. In fairness, though, we should glance at the other two major views of future events: Post-millennialism and A-millennialism.² As their names indicate, the main difference among the three positions concerns the time of the Messianic Age (or millennium) as it relates to the return of Jesus.

I. Millennialism

A. Pre-millennialism³

1. Premise: Things will get worse before they get better.

a. The worse part: Satan will escalate the conflict through a messianic impersonator whom he appoints (Antichrist) and will attempt to preempt the establishment of God's kingdom by setting up one of his own.

b. The better part: Jesus will return, defeat Satan and company, and establish the Messianic Age.

c. The final part: After an extended period (1000 years?), God will execute the final judgment on the wicked and usher in eternity.

2. Conclusion: Jesus' return will be before the millennium.

Contents and Links for "A 'Reader's Digest' Approach to Theology"

The final chapter of the series has been posted — Paul Manuel calls it "A 'Reader's Digest' Approach to Theology." The chapter titles and links are below.

A User-Friendly Guide to Basic Christian Doctrine
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2013

Table of Contents

• Prologue

I. Bibliology

A. The inspiration of scripture
B. The canonicity of scripture

II. Theology

A. The nature of God
B. The work of God

III. Christology

A. The nature of Christ
B. The work of Christ

IV. Pneumatology

A. The nature of the Holy Spirit
B. The work of the Holy Spirit

V. Angelology

A. The nature of angels
B. The work of angels

VI. Anthropology

A. The nature of man
B. The destiny of man

VII. Soteriology

A. The purpose of salvation
B. The procedure of salvation

VIII. Ecclesiology

A. The design of the church
B. The leaders of the church

IX. Eschatology

A. The reign of Christ
B. The re-creation by God

• Epilogue

• Bibliography

Theology Series: Bibliography

Theology Series: Bibliography
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2013

This is the Bibliography for the theology series Dr. Manuel titled "A 'Reader's Digest' Approach to Theology." The Table of Contents for the series can be found here.

Bibliography

Abbreviation Key:

AB	Anchor Bible.
ABD	Anchor Bible Dictionary. 6 vols.
BDT	Baker Dictionary of Theology.
CT	Christianity Today.
EBC	The Expositor's Bible Commentary. 12 vols.
EGT	The Expositor's Greek Testament. 5 vols.
EJ	Encyclopedia Judaica. 16 vols.
ICC	International Critical Commentary.
IDCC	The International Dictionary of the Christian Church.
ISBE	The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. 5 vols.
JBL	Journal of Biblical Literature.
JETS	Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society.
JQR	Jewish Quarterly Review.
NCBC	The New Century Bible Commentary Series.
NICNT	New International Commentary on the New Testament. 18 vols.
NICOT	New International Commentary on the Old Testament. 24 vols.
NIDCC	The New International Dictionary of the Christian Church.
NIGTC	The New International Greek Testament Commentary.
TDNT	Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. 10 vols.
TDOT	Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament. 15 vols.
TJ	Trinity Journal.
WBC	Word Biblical Commentary.
ZPEB	Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible. 5 vols.

Aland, Kurt and Barbara

1987, The Text of the New Testament. Translated by Erroll F. Rhodes. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

Albi, Martin C.

2002, "Are Any among You Sick?' The Health Care System in the Letter of James." JBL 121/1:123-143.

Allen, Leslie C.

1976, The Books of Joel, Obadiah, Jonah and Micah. NICOT. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

Theology Series: Epilogue

Epilogue:
Does what we believe actually match our statement(s) of faith?
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2013

Having covered the essentials of what the Bible says about basic dogma, we come to the final assignment in A 'Reader's Digest' Approach to Theology,¹ to evaluate what we profess (in our statements of belief) by what we have learned. Using what we have studied, we will assess our church's doctrinal statement in four areas.

• Exegetical: How accurate is the church's statement?

• Examine each of the stated beliefs, determining which ones have the support of scripture—that is, do the biblical passages listed actually teach the doctrine in question? If not, are the verses wrong for that particular point—in which case, can you suggest better ones—or is the point itself deficient in some way—perhaps more specific than the biblical evidence will allow?

• Theological: What are the doctrines essential to true evangelical Christianity? (You do not have to limit your answer to items in the doctrinal statement.)

• Be prepared to justify your response, to give the reason you consider one point of belief more important than another. Consider, for example, to what extent it is necessary to hold these doctrines in order to be saved and, if they are not necessary for salvation, what makes them in some way essential.

Theology Series Chapter 9: Eschatology

Chapter IX: Eschatology
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2013

IX. Eschatology

It is appropriate that, in A Reader's Digest Approach to Theology, the last unit should be eschatology, the study of last things. Some religions hold a cyclical view of history in which events simply repeat themselves, perhaps with some variation but with no discernible progress. Orthodox Judaism and Christianity, as well as Islam,¹ hold a linear view of history in which God is at work moving events toward a glorious finale for His people, although the identity of those people is different for Muslims and Christians.

No other topic has so stirred the imagination and speculation of people as the prospect of what the future holds, and no other topic has generated as many different opinions and raised as many questions. Will a messianic figure appear to bring peace? Will some cataclysmic event precipitate the end? How and when will it all happen?

The Holiness of God (Lev 16)

Sermon: The Holiness of God (Lev 16)
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2013

What do you know about God, in particular, about His attributes? You certainly know that He is powerful and that He is able to protect you. But is that enough?

One evening during a violent thunderstorm, a mother was tucking her frightened little boy into bed. Wanting to reassure him before she turned off the light, she said, "Remember, God is always with you." "I knew God is with me," he replied. "But I would feel even better if you could stay with me, too." She smiled and gave him a reassuring hug. "I can't dear. I have to sleep with Daddy." Silence followed, broken at last by his little voice... "The big sissy."

What do you know about God's attributes? You certainly know that He is powerful and that He is able to protect you. But is that enough? ...You should also know that God is holy. While that particular attribute may not calm your fears, it should focus your conduct, especially as God tells His people several times, "be holy, because I am holy" (11:44-45; 19:2; 20:26). Before that can happen, before you can be holy, you must understand The Holiness of God.