Gay Marriage: Analysis Of Newsweek's Article
Post 1: The Beginning
Post 2: Journalistic Integrity
Post 3: Bible And Marriage
Post 4: Homosexuality and the Bible
Post 5: Remaining Issues
Dr. Darrell Bock is Research Professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. He also is Professor for Spiritual Development and Culture there. He is an Editor at Large for Christianity Today and is a Past President of the Evangelical Theological Society (2000-2001). He is the author of over twenty books and is a New York Times Best Selling author. He has been blogging on this site since May, 2006.
Dr. Bock:
I agree with your observation about the gospel being sent to the NT God-fearers, like Cornelius. I know many believe that Cornelius was not "saved" until he believed the NT gospel about Jesus Christ. But I would disagree, rather strongly. I see Cornelius as a redeemed man before the NT gospel got to him. He was a saved/redeemed man under the OT covenant, but he was not a member of the bride of Christ. He was in the OT group of God-fearers, those who did not become full proselytes.
So, during the NT period, shortly after Peter began his ministry, he was led to Cornelius, a Gentile, but redeemed. I find this transitional time of interest. My theology has no problem with their being multiple groups of redeemed people, some Christians (members of the Bride of Christ), some Muslims (members of another NT redeemed group), some in tribal religions. In other words, it took this incident with Cornelius for Peter to see the much bigger picture:
10:34 Then Peter started speaking: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism in dealing with people, 10:35 but in every nation the person who fears him and does what is right is welcomed before him."
Brett