The question we address in this episode is Why do we suffer if God is in control? We discover that if God was in control and always got His own way He would be abusive. He is a God of love and that is His way of functioning - as a result he does not get his own way and therefore is not in control. There is a supernatural being that is in control that results in so much pain and suffering. Jesus is clear the devil is the one behind all pain and suffering on this planet. The po

In this episode we address the question Did Jesus ever portray God as an abusive deity? Most of Christianity portray God as an abusive deity that says obey me and I will bless you and disobey me, rebel against me and I will have to destroy you. If a man was to propose to a woman and say marry me and you will have every thing your heart desires but refuse to marry me and I will have to shoot you. We would call him abusive. It is the same with God. In the Old Testament we have

We continue this series of answering these questions with the words of Jesus. So we have renamed this series The Red Letter Answers. This week we look at the question of what does Jesus say about God punishing sinners? The Old Testament is very clear that God would punish them if they did not follow what He had admonished them to do. The results were a whole list of terrible things that would happen to them. No wonder that in Jesus day we discover a people that thought God wa

In this episode we challenge what is commonly taught in Christian churches that God will destroy the wicked at the end of time. We will simply look at what Jesus says about the attitude of God toward the wicked and discover what He clearly taught and also look at His practice when a couple of His disciples wanted to consume a Samaritan village with fire. Click the link below for the PDF. SHOW NOTES Asking Jesus questions. A quick guide to the true God (John 17:3). In this ser

Jesus arrived two millennia ago and completely negated this view of God. Jesus came to show that God is represented by the Tree of Life not the Tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil. Jesus understanding of God is radically different than that revealed by the Old Testament Writers. No wonder the disciples asked Him to show them the Father. Fortunate for us, He shares with us the God that He knew and revealed Him through His life and teachings. Click on the link for the PDF. S

We take a look at the two trees in the Garden of Eden and discover how they symbolically represent two views of God. One view is held by the Old Testament writers and the other by Jesus who has seen God and knows God's heart. Many Old Testament writers and characters portray God as the source of both Good and Evil. Click on the link below for the PDF. SHOW NOTES The Two Trees in the Garden Many Old Testament writers and characters portray God as the source of both Good and Ev

The Resurrection of Easter does change everything. This is the most monumental event of history. It transforms the meaning of the cross from defeat to deliverance, we now know that we matter to God, it brings the presence of God into our daily lives and it guarantees our future. We are forever indebted to God for the miracle of the resurrection of Jesus. Friday is here but thank God Sunday is Coming! Click the link below for the PDF document. SHOW NOTES Easter Revisited IT’S

We conclude this close look at that passages that talk about Jesus death and discover that what we have been led to believe is just not supported by scripture. Jesus did not need to die to change God's mind about us and enable him to forgive us. He died because we killed Him in His endeavour to get us to change our mind about God. Click the link for the PDF document. SHOW NOTES Who Killed Jesus According to the Epistles Part 2 Healing or salvation was achieved by Jesus’ life,

So who actually killed Jesus. Many would say that He was killed to satisfy God's demand for justice. That God need the death of His Son to enable Him to forgive mankind. As a result we have been taught that in essence God killed Jesus. However, what is the Biblical evidence? We will continue in this series and look at the Epistles and see what they say as to why Jesus died. We take a close look at what it means to come and give his life as a ransom. To whom is that ransom pai

In this episode of Rediscovering God we take a close look at Isaiah 53 which many use to support the idea that God needed the death of His son to enable Him to forgive sinners. However a close look at this chapter reveals a much different outcome and attributes the killing of Jesus to the people that placed Him on the cross. Click on link below for the PDF document. SHOW NOTES Isaiah 53 and who killed Jesus? It is startling that one of the most accurate descriptions of the li

In this episode of Rediscovering God we look carefully at the experience of Jesus and the statements of the other New Testament writers to determine if any of them implicate God in the death of Jesus on the cross. Their testimony is consistent that Jesus was killed at the hands of the leading teachers, scribes and religious leaders who enlisted the help of the Romans. The notion that He died because of God's doing does not exist. Click on link below for the PDF document. SHOW

Pastor Ian Hartley and Glenn Hurlow preach in South Africa

Pastor Ian Hartley and Glenn Hurlow preach in South Africa

In this episode we conclude the series on the genocide of God. We are fortunate to have the witness of Jesus about God to enable us to take a closer look at these troubling stories that depict God in a way that is far from the way Jesus portrayed Him. Click the link below for the PDF document. SHOW NOTES Genocide Commanded by God? Here is one quote from the Old Testament of God’s genocidal command to Israel as recorded by Moses. Deuteronomy 7:16 “You must destroy all the nati

We continue to endeavour to understand these troubling stories in the Old Testament. The genocide of Israel against the nations of Canaan are described as something that God commands then to do. However, as we have come to understand the God that Jesus knew we realize that such a terrible event should never be ascribed to God and must be attributed to the enemy and their that comes to steal, kill and destroy. Click on link for PDF. document. SHOW NOTES Genocide Commanded by G

Pastor Ian Hartley is Preaching at Helderberg College

Pastor Ian Hartley is Preaching at Helderberg College

Pastor Ian Hartley preaching at Helderberg College

Pastor Ian Hartley is Preaching at Helderberg College

We continue in this episode to look at the other major event that gets attributed to God. The destruction of the world at the end of the age. Is this actually caused by God? Does God in the end find it necessary to use force to concur the evil that has plagued this planet for so many years. For the PDF document click the link below SHOW NOTES The Apocalyptic End of the World (Revelation 20:9) The end of the world is usually pictured as God violently punishing sinners for thei

Seldom talked about is the story of the Flood . It is like the elephant in the room when we consider the character of God and how the Old Testament describes God as not only destroying the people but the animals and the plant life on earth. We talk a close look at this story and prove several reasons this could be understood another way. Click on link below for the PDF document. SHOW NOTES Geocide Caused by God? By genocide is meant there must be a proven intent on the part o

We have confirmed that God is Always Good and now we continue to consider the last 4 situations where it seems the opposite is the case . The ever burning fire, The Sexual Abuse of David's Wives, Fire from the Sky, and Did God Send Venomous Snakes to kill the Israelites? In the end God is faithful, for he cannot deny who he is. Click the link below for the PDF. SHOW NOTES 12. Is God only Good? This chapter will affirm the Goodness of God against the background of the followin

Is God Always Good or is There More? This question is motivated by so many situations in the Bible where God comes away looking very rigid and even vindictive. In this episode we lay a firm foundation on the life of Jesus that reveals that God is certainly good from Matthew's perspective. Then we begin to look at three of seven situations where scripture portray the opposite perspective. When looked at more closely we discover a very consistent picture of God and his goodness

There are seven shocking ways that Jesus is superior to all other Prophets and writers of the Bible. Traditionally we tend to treat all writers of the Bible with equal weight and importance. However, when we discover who Jesus is and the ways in which He is superior to all of scripture and other prophets we need to listen very closely to what Jesus taught and let it take precedence own our lives. CLICK THE LINK BELOW FOR THE PDF SHOW NOTES The Unique Superiority of Jesus abov