Antinomy is a word that refers to an apparent contradiction of ideas, beliefs or practices when considered separately, but in combination are perfectly compatible. Two great Bible antinomies illustrate. First, GOD IS—yet had no beginning and has no end. To us, an impossible concept. But not when God declares it. Second, Jesus died by crucifixion, a death reserved for the worst criminals. Yet, Jesus was as GOOD a man as ever lived. But not only GOOD, but PERFECT. A condition enveloping goodness but exceeding it as an eon exceeds a second. His perfection transformed the shame of crucifixion into a GLORY the apostle embraced, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” Galatians 6:14. That songwriter John Bowring could write, “In the cross of Christ I glory, tow’ring o’er the wrecks of time.”
Consider one of three antinomies that accompanied Christ’s birth. That news of his imminent arrival came first to an aged priest in the Temple, not to a young rabbi in the synagogue. For while the synagogue taught God’s word, humanity’s second-greatest need, the Temple addressed humanity’s greatest need—removing the sins that kept us from God. Jesus...Savior; never in human language did two words combine more appropriately! We need forgiveness of sin to more clearly understand Christ’s message; to more completely obey him; to more easily overcome temptation; to see Christ incrementally formed more completely in us. Any sin we retain diminishes scripture’s impact on us. Increasing freedom from sin’s treacherous presence empowers God’s Presence in us. Since he came as Savior, that has to be our first message to those outside Grace. We must prioritize forgiveness to the unsaved in our preaching, teaching and witnessing. We must never minimize that message to maximize entertainment and feel-good sermons. Churches exist for the healing of sinners by being converted to Jesus from self-will. End Part I New Apologetics book at: Amazon Check out Virg Hurley books at Amazon Check out Virg Hurley Digital books at: Smashwords
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