When it comes to the eternal destiny of individuals without Christ, those in what's often called the annihilationist or "conditional immortality" camp argue that certain key words in Scripture (like "death" and "destroy") depict their final judgment as, ultimately, non-existence. But let me suggest another line of biblical argumentation for the 'ongoingness' of God's eternal judgment. Using a different set of key terms, below you will find biblical texts linked together by the basanos family of words in the Greek New Testament. These words, having to do with "torment", "torture", or "pain", appear twenty-two times in the New Testament, with six instances related to suffering in the afterlife. Let's simply go in order of their appearance.

First is the Greek word BASANISTES in Matthew 18:34. Though the word only appears once in the New Testament, it's attested in other works outside the Bible. Translated as "jailers" in the ESV, the root word gives us the sense of torturer or tormentor as well (as reflected in many other translations). What's interesting is that the parable speaks about the unmerciful servant being handed over to these torturers, "until he should pay all his debt". As Jesus' listeners would have understood, the insanely large, hyperbolic amount Jesus uses to describe the debt ("ten thousand talents"--which would be in the billions of dollars today), could never have been paid off by this man in his (or any) lifetime.

Second, in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the word BASANOS appears twice, in both Luke 16:23 and 16:28 (with the synonym "anguish" appearing twice as well (vs. 24-25). The setting is "Hades" (v. 23), which here is, of course, not the underworld of Greek mythology, but the abode of the dead (reflecting the Hebrew word sheol). What's curious is how this serves as a place of "torment" for the greedy man, even though the Day of Judgment has not yet taken place. It's clear from the parable that no relief is possible for this man (vs. 24-26). Like Jesus' use of gehenna ("hell"), the parable also uses the imagery of fire to describe consequences the man is experiencing for his greedy, uncaring lifestyle. But it's noteworthy that this post-mortem fire does not consume. Instead, it causes unrelievable anguish. Though I believe the elements presented here (the fire, the chasm, "Abraham's side", etc.) are shaped for Jesus' storytelling purposes, the essence of this judgment and this suffering lines up with, for example, Matthew 13, where a "fiery furnace" is visualized in respect to the final judgment. For it too will be a "place [where] there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (vs. 42, 50)

Third, in both Revelation 14:10 and 20:10,  the verb BASANIZO, "to torment" is used once again in connection with the imagery of fire. Though we have moved our basanos words from the imagery of parables (Matthew 18:23-35; Luke 16:19-31) to the imagery of the apocalyptic, very real suffering is being represented here; specifically, the torment of those who worship the beast (14:9), the torment of the beast himself, and the torment of "the devil who had deceived them" (20:10). Even if the beast is a symbolic image, the imagery in the Revelation represents very real people throughout history who used (and will use) their power and influence to oppose God and his servants. Along with the devil and those who followed the world system (20:15), all these will face the 'fire' of God's ultimate judgment. This is clearly the same "fire" Jesus described in Matthew 25:41 as the one "prepared for the devil and his angels". 

Fourth, one last variant of our keyword appears in Revelation 14:11. It's the word BASANISMOS, another noun translated as "torment". But in this verse, a verse concerning the final judgment of God's enemies, the duration of this torment is clearly indicated. In keeping with the unpayable debt of Matthew 18:34 and the unrelievable pain of Luke 16:23, 28, according to this verse, the "smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever". Now, this verse does seem to borrow judgment imagery from Isaiah 34:10-11, where God's judgment against Edom is being vividly described as utterly final and not to be forgotten (i.e., memorialized). This is very similar to the language in Revelation 19:3 concerning the harlot's destruction. But 14:11 is different in that John returns to the suffering individuals themselves, and expands his description of their torment by explaining that "they have no rest, day or night". This is not the language of finality or legacy. This is a statement concerning an ongoing experience of suffering, not simply memorializing a painful, but past experience. This same language appears again in Revelation 20:10, where the devil, et al., "will be tormented day and night forever and ever". It's true that realities like Death and Hades are also consigned to this fiery judgment in 20:14, but this is explained six verses later by the phrase, "and death shall be no more" (21:4). Clearly, if this image of fire (a "lake" in this case) was meant to convey the complete consuming of God's enemies, the same "shall be no more" language could be employed. It isn't. In fact, the closing paragraphs of the Revelation seem to speak about those cut off from the tree of life, about those in torment, as being "outside" the gates of the symbolic city; a city that represents the coming, final, blessed state of God's people (21:14-15).

I believe using a Greek word group like this helps us to see how this theme develops in the New Testament, as well as the interconnectedness of several important passages. It can also help us with what might be less clear in terms of words like "death" and "destroy", for that final image in the Revelation of fiery torment is, in fact, called "the second death". Again, though the idea of being completely consumed is present in regard to Death (21:4), it isn't applied to actual persons/beings (and therefore, does not contradict the "forever and ever" used language in Revelation). 

While the annihilationist view does have a number of strengths in dealing with a number of difficult passages, for me, passages like these tilt the weight toward a more traditional understanding of the gehenna and "outer darkness" (Matthew 8:12; 22:13; 25:30) passages in the Gospels. Clearly, this issue of eternal punishment remains a very difficult doctrine. As such, there are many things about this doctrine that should keep us humble and careful, as we lean firmly into the far clearer doctrines of God's goodness, justice, wisdom, and sovereignty over the destinies of all people.

Let's talk about this issue of meat that's been sacrificed in a pagan temple, before the image of a false god. I agree with you, there are some things that everyone knows. When you have an 'everyone knows' kind of attitude though, it simply puffs you up with pride, instead of building others up in love. The 'puffed up' mindset says, “I've got it all figured it out”. But that oversized mindset leaves no room to humbly grow in a healthy kind of knowing. Speaking of knowing and loving, if any of us can say, “I love God” (not simply, “I know about God”), then he should be reassured by what we might call ultimate knowledge: that he himself is known by God. From that starting point then, when it comes to this issue of eating meat that's been sacrificed to a false god, the next thing we have to be clear about is the fact that a wooden or stone or metal idol does not represent anything real in terms of the divine. For there are no actual gods, only the one, true God. Yes, there are the many so-called gods and lords whom people cry out to in the heavens, or that they believe dwell in those temples where their fellow worshipers gather. But when it comes to us as Christians, our truth-filled confession is that there is one God, the Father, and one Lord, Jesus the Messiah, and that every other thing that actually exists comes from both the Father (for whom we exist) and the Son (through whom we exist). But it's critical, Corinthians, that you also know that not everyone in the church has fully understood and fully embraced these truths. Here's what I mean: if some of your fellow disciples eat this temple meat, then because of who they once were (that is, idol worshipers), there's a good chance they'll eat that meat as they once did: as a ritual meal offered to another god. And because their conscience is so sensitive, it will be stained with feelings of compromise. In light of this troubling reality, the first thing to understand is that food cannot give us any kind of standing with God. Whether you eat this or that, or don't eat this or that, the act itself in no way affects your relationship with God. But that doesn't mean such eating is inconsequential. No. You need to be very, very careful that your freedom to eat whatever you want doesn't trip up the weakened conscience of your fellow disciple. Just imagine if that individual sees you (the one who has everything 'figured out') eating in the dining hall of a pagan temple, and consequently, in spite of his own conscience, tells himself that it's fine for Christians to eat in such places. What will be the result of your 'enlightened' choice? That brother or sister (someone for whom Jesus died), is torn down by your pride, not built up with your love! If that weren't serious enough, their identity in Christ also means that in wronging them, you've wronged him as well. So here's the takeaway: if food issues like this spiritually trip up my brother or sister in Christ, then I will gladly change my diet. That is, to avoid any possibility that my brother or sister will stumble, I will simply avoid meat altogether.

I suspect that when most Christians hear the phrase, "ministry of the word", their thoughts move toward New Testament passages about apostles, elders, and evangelists. And of course, Scripture has much to say about "the word" and these offices. For example, the Apostles' first commission was to go and proclaim, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 10:7), and later, "repentance for the forgiveness of sins... in his name to all nations" (Luke 24:47). The book of Acts consistently depicts leaders like Peter (Acts 2), Stephen (Acts 7), Philip (Acts 8; later called an "evangelist" in 21:8), and Paul (Acts 9) declaring the word of God in a variety of settings. After this, Paul not only encourage a young leader like Timothy to "preach the word" (2 Timothy 4:2), but is also clear that the elder of a local church "must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it." (Titus 1:9) So with both believers and unbelievers, it's abundantly clear that these kinds of leaders were given a "ministry of the word".

But what about everyone else? What about disciples who do not (and may never) occupy these roles or offices? Do they also possess a "ministry of the word"? Absolutely. The New Testament is just as clear on this point. Below are just some of the verses/passages that speak to the different ways in which every follower of Jesus is called to bless others with God's word, both believers and unbelievers. I pray these passages will stir your hearts and minds, as well as inspire your prayers and efforts in this area. May we ask along with Paul, "pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word... [and] that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak." (Colossians 4:3–4)

Telling Those Around Us How Much the Lord Has Done for Us

As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. [19] And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” [20] And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled. (Mark 5:18–20)

The former demoniac described here is not commissioned as a leader. He is simply encouraged to do what the psalmist did a thousand years earlier: "Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul." (Psalm 66:16)

Speaking the Word of God with Boldness

When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them... [31] And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:23, 31)

The "friends" mentioned here seem to be a larger group than just the apostles, quite possibly the original core group of 120 disciples mentioned in Acts 1:15.

Sharing the Word Wherever We Go

And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles... [4] Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. (Acts 8:1–5)

The "all" mentioned by the writer here seem to be a large number (thousands in light of Acts 2:41?) of everyday disciples. Later in Acts 11:19-20, we're told that some from this group "traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus."

"Speaking the Truth in Love" to Build One Another Up

I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. (Romans 15:14)

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ... (Ephesians 4:15)

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom...(Colossians 3:16)

Like the believers to whom the author of Hebrews wrote ("For though by this time you ought to be teachers..." Hebrews 5:12), Paul confirms in many places that as disciples grow in grace and knowledge (cf. 2 Peter 3:18), they should be fulfilling their ministry of the word, helping other believers grow in the same way. Though this ministry is not a formal teaching office (James 3:1), it is a vital part of God's design for the growth of each local church.

Instructing Our Children in God's Word

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4) 

Jewish-Christian listeners in Ephesus would have understood this parental charge in light of God's words through Moses in Deuteronomy 6.  The Old Testament would have also reminded these readers that this word to the head of the household included both a "father's instruction" and a "mother's teaching" (Proverbs 1:8).

Ready to Answer Outsiders with God's Word

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. [6] Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Colossians 4:5–6)

...but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect... (1 Peter 3:15)

Both Paul and Peter envisioned situations in which a Christian's distinctive way of life (marked by qualities like wisdom and hope) would inspire questions, generate conversations, and open doors for the gospel. In both passages, an element of preparedness is presented as vital to our ministry of the word.

A Pew Research survey from several years ago revealed that six in ten adults in the U.S. sometimes feel too busy to enjoy life. More recently, that same percentage of respondents stated "there are not enough hours in the day" to complete the tasks they believe they must. While some have called this an 'epidemic of busyness', still others, interestingly, wear it as a badge of honor, equating being busy with being important or valuable. And though the adverse effects of our busyness are clear (on both our physical and mental health, not to mention our relationships), there is no sign the pace is letting up.

But Jesus has good news for the busy. One of his ancient conversations (in this case, with a busy hostess) can serve as a powerful corrective and comfort for our modern mindset. 

Let me set the scene: Jesus and his disciples have made a surprise visit to the village of Bethany (about two miles east of Jerusalem) and have been welcomed by a woman named Martha, along with her sister, Mary. But as Martha works tirelessly to play hostess to her (at least) thirteen unexpected guests, she is growing frustrated with her seemingly distracted sister. Here's how the Gospel of Luke describes the scene:

And [Martha] had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” (10:39-40)

How interesting that though her sister would label Mary as the one not focused on what she should be doing, Luke describes Martha as the "distracted" sibling. I believe he does so because of how Jesus responds in the next two verses. Please don't miss what Jesus communicates in Luke 10:41-42...

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Did you hear it? Did you hear good news for the busy? Though Martha was convinced that her hospitality was absolutely necessary, and that her sister's help was absolutely necessary, and that now (given the situation), the Lord's intervention was absolutely necessary, Jesus reveals to her that only "one thing is necessary". What was that one thing? It was the "good portion" that "Mary [had] chosen", which according to verse 39, meant sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening to his teaching. 

Jesus knows that a lot of us are just like Martha: "anxious and troubled about many things". And while some may use busyness as a way to avoid problematic relationships or even personal reflection, others sincerely believe their busyness is the inescapable result of too many necessary things. But please, again, hear the words of Jesus to the heart weighed down by busyness: just "one thing is necessary" (v. 42) 

Okay. It's important to clarify at this point. Jesus is helping us here with our priorities, not downplaying or disparaging or dismissing our duties. There are, of course, many things in this life that we should do. Even things we must do. But none of that changes what is ultimately necessary. Martha's hospitality was a good thing. But in the presence of an ultimate thing, in the presence of Jesus, her priorities were revealed to be misplaced. 

But again, this is good news. Why? Because Jesus Christ graciously helps us to cut through our cluttered schedules and our cluttered hearts, and to see the one thing that is ultimately necessary: to daily sit at his feet and listen to his voice. When we give priority (not just lip service) to prayer and the word of God, and to regularly 'practicing his presence', we will find that, unlike Martha, we are less "anxious and troubled", even when our days still feel full. How does this Christ-focused position and posture change things? By giving us perspective on what truly matters, and as a result, helping us say "no" to unhealthy busyness. But even more than that, regularly sitting at Jesus' feet and listening to his voice means enjoying true, gospel rest. So often, deep down, our busyness is driven by wanting to get something, or keep something, or achieve something, or even prove something to myself or others. But because of Jesus, because of his death and resurrection for busy sinners like us, all of these motives have been undercut. When it comes to what is ultimately necessary, Christ has done everything we couldn't do, but desperately needed. For our sake, He got and kept and achieved and proved everything that truly matters when it comes to God and eternity. Therefore, we are now called to come in faith, and to rest in faith, knowing the eternally necessary thing is done. Thank God for such good news from Jesus, in light of the Good News about Jesus.

What a blessing it is to celebrate twenty years of God "giv[ing] the growth" in the lives of many through the ministry of Way of Grace Church. Some of those lives remain with us in terms of regular fellowship. But most have moved out onto other paths. What a privilege to play some part in God's redeeming work in the hearts of these individuals and families! It certainly hasn't been an easy path. But as you know, Jesus never promised us an easy path (John 16:33). We are so thankful that He has "overcome the world", and that we have experienced, and will continue to experience, his incomparable victory. 

Like the psalmist who declared, "I will recount all of our wonderful deeds" (Psalm 9:1), we're excited to gather on the evening of Sunday, October 5th for a time of celebration and thanksgiving. Click here to learn more and to register for that anniversary dinner.

If you are unable to join us for that special evening, we invite you to leave a note in the comment section below. How is or how has Way of Grace blessed you? What memories do you have that you might share? What kind of encouragment might you share with us as we look forward to the next twenty years of serving Christ in our community? Help us to recount all of God's "wonderful deeds" by sharing a comment below. Or if you'd like to send us a note, or an audio or video recording, please send those by October 1st to admin@wayofgracechurch.com.

The image on the right side is from one of our first Sunday Gathering in October or November of 2005. Those meetings took place in a small event room connected to the library at Buckeye Union High School. What an exciting adventure began that year, and we're grateful for all those who in some way have been part of our story... or more accurately, God's story. We look forward to seeing you soon, or hearing from you soon, and we're grateful for your continued prayers.

The Storm

2:00 am. Confused, scared, feelings of dread and terror coursing through my body. Heart pounding. Head hurts. A hundred different thoughts going through my mind: “You’re under the wrath of God!” “What is reality?” “You don’t believe in God!” “Where am I?” “What am I?” “What is real?” “Am I real?” “Hell and judgment are waiting for you!” “God hates you!” “You’re going to die!”. 

Last October I went to the movie theater to watch a sci-fi/horror movie. Before going to see it I knew that it was probably not a good idea given my past with horror movies. Before the Lord saved me, I loved horror films. The scarier the better, especially when it came to movies that had depictions of the supernatural or demonic. The still small voice was telling me that I shouldn’t be watching a movie like that. But I decided to watch it anyway. 

Twenty minutes into the movie, I was really enjoying it. The only thing I didn’t like was that I was starting to get very anxious. But I kept watching. As the forty-five minute mark was approaching, the violence in the scenes kept getting more intense... and so did my anxiety, to the point that I quickly got up from my seat and walked out; all the while knowing I shouldn’t have gone in the first place. 

My anxiety had now turned to panic. My mind and heart were racing. I didn’t know why. And almost as soon as I stepped outside it happened: the storm. Once I got outside, something seemed to snap or disconnect. My surroundings felt weird and looked weird, and I began to be very confused. I got into my car and the feelings and thoughts only got worse. I would look at the cars around me and my mind would think “What are those?” I’d look at the sky and my mind would think “What is that?” Every where I looked I was confused. There was this uncertainty about everything: my hands on the steering wheel, the guy in the car next to me, the trees I was passing by. The best way I can explain it is that my grip on reality was like a small plastic toy boat in a raging typhoon. 

All these thoughts were accompanied by feelings of dread and foreboding. Once I got home I went straight to my room to try and take a nap, the thoughts had gotten so terrifying and so numerous that my head had started to feel as if Arnold Schwarzenegger was squeezing it. I laid down and was able to doze off. I thought all I needed was some sleep and my mind would go right back to normal. Well, I went to sleep, but as soon as I woke up, I was right back where I started. But the fact this storm did not go away after sleeping made me start to panic even more. It didn’t help that at the time I was living by myself, I didn’t have anyone around who could help ground me. I called an older brother in the faith, desperate for help and reassurance. We talked for a while. I was telling him not only the thoughts of condemnation that I was having, but also that reality seemed so weird and almost fake. It was scary to even have my eyes open because everything I looked at my mind questioned, then my body felt. And this cycle would spiral on and on and on. But thankfully, this brother encouraged me with the word. I don’t remember the exact words, but I knew what he was getting at.

God's word is true. God is reality. God's love is a reality for me because I am in Christ by faith. Because Satan does not want me to believe God or trust him, he will use anything, especially moments when I’m at my weakest, to try and have me doubt God's love. And if he can do that, then I truly am in a storm. 

Though that brother's words were encouraging, even bringing tears to my eyes, God did not calm the waves just yet. After we got off the phone I felt better for a little bit, but soon, the storm came back. 

The next couple of months were some of the hardest in my life. I could not sleep, didn’t eat all that much, and my mind felt like it was going to shatter into a thousand little pieces. Racing thoughts kept me up all night, and the feelings that accompanied them were awful. I was completely helpless. Where was I going to turn? Should I leave the faith? After all fifty percent of the thoughts that haunted me were about God and his judgment. I'm not proud to say it but this thought did cross my mind: if I just tried to stop believing in him I’d be half way done with my problem. But I knew deep down that I couldn’t do that and I think I also knew that God would not just let me walk away. I’ve learned this from past seasons of struggle in my life. 

So what was I going to do? Well, by the grace of God, I turned to His word. I started reading the Psalms. And after I had read Psalm 3 I was hooked. In psalm 3:2 David says that “Many are saying of my soul, “there is no salvation for Him in God”. I immediately thought, “THATS ME! My thoughts are saying that about my soul constantly!”. And then there’s verses 3-6:

   But you O Lord are a shield about me, my glory and the lifter of my head.

   I cried aloud to the Lord and he answered me from his holy hill

   I lay down and slept, I awoke again for the Lord sustained me.

   I will not be afraid of many thousands of people

   who have set themselves against me all around.

I believe that this was a turning point. Not in the sense that the thoughts died down but that I had now seen how I am to respond to such thoughts and accusations made against my soul. 

The thought: “You’re a disgusting sinner and a hypocrite, your faith is fake and you’re going to be in everlasting torment” 

The response: “Yes, I am one of the most wretched sinners alive, and at times I am a hypocrite, and yes, my faith is not all that strong or as sincere as it should be. But the Lord is my shield, a mighty shield all around me. He is my glory and He will lift my head”

And verses 7 and 8:

   Arise, O Lord! Save me, O my God!

   For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;

   You break the teeth of the wicked

   Salvation belongs to the Lord; Your blessing be in your people.

Here it says that it is God who must arise and rescue me. He must save me, for salvation belongs to HIM. If I were to turn from him where would I go? Who else would I or could I turn to for help? The answer is no one. Like one of my new favorite songs puts it, 

   “Jesus said that if I fear I should come to him,

   No one else can be my shield I should come to him,

   for the Lord is GOOD & FAITHFUL

   He will keep us day and night, we can always run to Jesus,

   Jesus strong and kind”.

I ended up reading through the entire books of Psalms for the first time and after reading, studying, and praying through them, I was much more equipped to face the storm. God did not take it away after one prayer or one Bible reading, and I still struggle with the same feelings and thoughts almost a year later. However the storm is much quieter, and Gods word is much louder. God was faithful to me, there were so many nights that I thought, “This is it, my soul is lost and I’m undone.” But “I lay down and slept, I awoke again, for the Lord sustained me”. 

The struggle is still very real and I can often be tempted to discouragement. But when the storm comes and I look back at God's faithfulness to me, I am strengthened. And when I gather and meet with the people of God who also have their own storms, I am reminded that we all struggle, and I am not alone in the fight. I have learned to trust God in new ways, and I am learning how to be okay with 'limping' through this life. I have A LOT more to learn, but this I know and testify to: God is faithful to those who though weak and imperfect, take him at his word, even if it is only a light grasp.

With the recent naming and forthcoming installation of a new pope (American cardinal Robert Prevost), the papacy  (i.e., the authoritative office of the pope) has once again become a topic of cultural conversation. But what exactly is the papacy? Who is the pope? The most recent Catechism of the Catholic Church describes the Pope in these terms...

"...the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire Church has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered.” (Section 882)

The pope is not simply a Christian leader. According to Roman Catholics, he is "pastor of the entire Church... [having] full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church". The surprising extent of this claim should drive us to ask, was such a role really instituted by Jesus himself? Or was it a feature of the New Testament church? If the answer is "no" to both of these questions, then where did the papacy come from? 

Though almost two-thousand years of papal history is littered with strange and confusing stories of both the virtuous and vice-loving (even of rival claims from multiple, simultaneous popes), and even though the Roman Catholic church's teaching about this office has morphed over the centuries, here are two fundamental truths that remain sufficiently clear:

The origins of the papacy do not come from anything in God-given Scripture. This is apparent from two observations about the New Testament's witness (especially critical since the New Testament contains the oldest records we possess of Christian belief and practice):

Roman Catholic teaching argues that the foundation of the papacy was laid with the Apostle Peter, to whom (and about whom) Jesus declared, "And I tell you, you are Peter [a name meaning 'rock'], and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18). Is this where Jesus gave (or at least promised to give) Peter "full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church"? No. The book of Acts helps us understand in what sense Peter was a "rock". Undoubtedly, the same Peter who gave faithful witness to Jesus as the Christ in Matthew 16:16, was chosen by Jesus to give that same testimony to both Jews (Acts 2:14-20) and Gentiles (Acts 10:34-43) on those foundational occasions when the Holy Spirit was poured out on each group. But didn't Jesus also give Peter "the keys of the kingdom" in verse 19 of Matthew 16? Yes. But two chapters later, the power of these keys is described as belonging to all believers as well (Matthew 18:18). And in light of the rest of the New Testament, it's clear that Peter's privileged position did not place him over the other apostles, or make him "pastor of the entire church". For example, though he is a key part of the Jerusalem council in Acts 15 (vs. 6-11), it is James (the half brother of Jesus) who issues an official judgment on the matter (vs. 19-20), followed by directives from "the apostles and the elders, with the whole church" (v. 22). In Galatians 2:11-14 we even read about a time when the Apostle Paul needed to rebuke and correct Peter, who had been sadly influenced by certain Jewish Christians who continued to separate themselves from Gentiles, even Gentile believers. Apart from the authority of an apostle, Peter himself never claimed any unique authority, describing himself to local church elders simply as "a fellow elder", who like the men he addressed, was called to "shepherd the flock of God... exercising oversight", waiting for that day when the only "chief Shepherd" returns, Jesus Christ (1 Peter 5:1-4).

In his brief but excellent book on the papacy, writer Leonardo De Chirico states clearly, 

It is impossible to establish from the Bible alone any idea that fairly resembles the Papacy as advocated by Roman Catholicism... the witness of Scripture does not fit the role, the office, and the power that is attributed to the Roman Pope. Trying to square biblical teaching with the reality of the Papacy is more of an [after-the-fact] theological attempt, than something that springs from Scripture. ("A Christian's Pocket Guide to the Papacy", pp. 27-28)

The second observation that is helpful on this question relates to the leadership that is described and prescribed by the New Testament. For centuries, popes have claimed the title "bishop of Rome," an office purported to be given by succession and established by Peter himself. The biblical difficulty with such a claim is two-fold. First, the term bishop is a misleading Old English translation of the New Testament title overseer. The term "overseer" was simply another title for a local church elder (compare 1 Timothy 3:1-7 with Titus 1:5-9), since as we heard earlier from Peter himself, such elders are called to "exercis[e] oversight" among God's people (1 Peter 5:2) The idea of a bishop was a later development, in which a man was designated as an overseer over other overseers; that is, as a leader over many churches in a particular region. This office may have developed to fill a void left by the apostles, and/or simply for practical, administrative reasons. But again, it isn't a role prescribed by the New Testament. So who was intended to carry the torch given to the Apostles? While the biblical record gives no indication that the office of apostle would continue, it is clear about the fact that local church leaders were entrusted with the mission Jesus himself gave his first followers (Matthew 28:16-20). The Apostle Paul demonstrated this when he appointed elders in the cities where he proclaimed Christ (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5), and then passionately charged those leaders to continue his work (Acts 20:17-36). As he later wrote to his associate-in-training Timothy, "what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also." (2 Timothy 2:2) So genuine, biblical succession means leaders like these (also called pastors or shepherds--Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2) caring for God's people in local churches, faithfully equipping each to be witnesses for Jesus, and helping raise up new leaders who will faithfully carry the work forward.

So if the office of the pope did not come from Jesus or the Apostles, where did it come from? Based on the historical evidence, it's reasonable to conclude that...

The origins of the papacy come from a number of things in man-centered history. The writings of church leaders in the first several centuries of the Christian faith attest to their deep respect for the Church at Rome. Some, like Irenaeus, believed the church there was founded by the Apostles Peter and Paul ("Against Heresies" 3:3:2). While both men may have been martyred there, there is no evidence either established that faith community. But as a church in the Empire's capital city, one established early in Christian history (cf. Aquila and Priscilla appear to be Jewish Christians from Rome in Acts 18:2), it isn't surprising that leaders in Rome had significant influence within the rapidly-expanding Christian world. As De Chirico writes, 

The Papacy would have never emerged if there was no Empire forming the political and cultural milieu of the life of the early church. The slow process that led to the formation of the Papacy depended on the importance of Rome as the capital city of the Empire and the power it exercised in the ancient world. The ideology of the 'Roma aeterna' (eternal Rome) crept into the church and influenced the way that Christians thought about the role of the church of Rome, seeing an analogy with the role of the city in the affairs of the Empire. (ibid., pp. 30-31)

But several cities in the Roman world were viewed similarly. These included Jerusalem, Antioch, and Alexandria (and later, Constantinople). As the Wikipedia entry on this topic explains it,

As Christianity expanded throughout the Roman Empire, concentrations of believers were increasingly found in urban centers. Bishops in these cities came to hold preeminence in the province where their diocese was located, especially if the city was the provincial capital. Over time, some bishops attained authority beyond their province, becoming recognized as ['first among equals']... By the 4th century, cities such as Rome, Alexandria, and Antioch had extended their ecclesiastical authority beyond a single province. ("Patriarchate", Wikipedia)

Of these 'sees' (i.e., seats), only Rome was located in the West. Along with its unique position in the Empire's capital, its geographical location led to the development of a distinctly 'Imperial' or Latin way of doing things (as opposed to the Greek-speaking east of the Empire). When the Empire's capital was moved to Constantinople (formerly Byzantium) in 330 AD, the "resulting power vacuum [in Rome] enabled the pope both to see his position as one of power, not just influence, and to seize wide-ranging power... Indeed, as early as the 380s, Pope Damasus had argued that the papacy possessed authority superior to that of any other patriarachal see." (Fairbairn, "The Global Church", pp. 276-277) But as Roman Catholic priest and theologian Yves Congar explained, "The East never accepted the regular jurisdiction of Rome, nor did it submit to the judgment of Western bishops. Its appeals to Rome for help were not connected with a recognition of the principle of Roman jurisdiction but were based on the view that Rome had the same truth, the same good." ("Diversity and Communion", pp. 26-27) This is clear from a variety of ancient sources, including Basil of Caesarea (329-379 AD) who rejected papal meddling in Antioch, writing "I shall never consent to give in, merely because somebody is very much elated at receiving a letter from men [i.e., from Damasus, bishop of Rome]. Even if it had come down from heaven itself, but he does not agree with the sound doctrine of the faith, I cannot look upon him as in communion with the saints." (Letter 214, To Count Terentius). Even before this, Cyprian (d. 258 AD), who had great respect for the Roman bishop as a 'first among equals', rejected the idea of papal primacy, writing for the the Synod of Carthage in 256 AD, "Neither does any one of us set himself up as a bishop of bishops, nor by tyrannical terror does any compel his colleague to the necessity of obedience; since every bishop, according to the allowance of his liberty and power, has his own proper right of judgment, and can no more be judged by another than he himself can judge another."

As the centuries progressed, the growing rift between West and East (along with the Islamic conquests of the 7th and 8th centuries) led the Roman Church deeper into bizarre claims about its authority, not only over other churches, but also over political matters. This is not necessarily surprising given the long-standing Imperial influence on the church in that ancient city. As De Chirico summarizes,

The imperial pattern was the influential blueprint that shaped the Papal institution from the 4th and 5th centuries onwards. What began as a position of leadership in the church became a position of power that resembled the secular paradigm of authority The 'papalizing' reading of the biblical texts on Peter was a later attempt to justify the imperial papacy biblically and theologically, yet the papacy is more a child of Imperial than biblical categories as its long history up to the 16th century Reformation clearly demonstrates. (ibid., p. 46)

More than a billion Christians today rightly reject the claims of the papacy, not because various popes have nothing to teach us, but because such claims do not align with sacred Scripture or the beliefs of the early Church. There is only one "pastor of the entire Church", the "Chief Shepherd" Jesus Christ (1 Peter 5:4). He alone "has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church". Why? Because He alone is our one "high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens." (Hebrews 7:26) Every follower of Jesus, and every pastoral leader, can take great comfort from the fact that He never needs to be replaced, but always lives to guide his people.

Did you know the largest Powerball jackpot to date was awarded in November of 2022. The amount? $2.04 billion dollars. 

Now imagine that I, in November of 2022, am walking through a friend's house and notice a Powerball ticket on his kitchen counter. But wait. This isn't just any Powerball ticket. This is the winning ticket! Stunned by my friend's life-changing windfall, I confront him with the ticket and ask, "Do you know what you have here?", to which he replies, "Yeah, but I'm not sure I have time for that right now. I have so many things stressing me out." 

So naturally I ask, "What are you talking about? What things?" He responds, "You know, problems. Like I'm worried about how to get my daughter through school. Private colleges aren't cheap." After shaking my head, I tell him, "Friend, you just won the Powerball jackpot. You can definitely afford to pay for her bachelor's degree. Throw in a master's degree and doctorate while you're at it. Heck, you could probably buy the school." 

"Yeah, but, I feel like my job is on the chopping block. Did I tell you my employer is making serious cuts right now?" "Who cares if you get laid off," I chime in. "If you don't want to, you don't have to work another day in your life."

"Yeah, but my grandmother is really sick. And we're stressed out because the treatments she needs are not covered by her insurance." He noticed the puzzled look on my face. "Friend," I say as calmly as I can, "I understand you have some very serious challenges right now. But you seem to be missing the magnitude of what's happened. Every problem you've shared with me so far is a financial problem. But because of your newfound wealth, all of those problems have, in effect, lost their sting. Do you understand?"

Wonderfully, in Romans 8:33–34, the Apostle Paul seems to be telling his readers something very similar. Having begun the chapter by plainly stating in 8:1 that there is "now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus", Paul finishes the chapter on this same theme. Listen to how he expresses this in Romans 8:33-34...

Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Paul's letter to the Romans seems to indicate that these believers were both struggling with sin and suffering through adversity. They battled with the voice of condemnation on the inside, and with voices of persecution on the outside. This is precisely why Paul writes to them a chapter like Romans 8. If Jesus died for us--"more than that" (as Paul writes)--if he "was raised" to life on the third day, then everything changes. Everything.

But only if you believe. Only if trust is what ultimately defines your relationship to Jesus. You see, when you trust in Jesus as your only hope, you are trusting in a King that has been raised from the dead. And as Paul tells us here, that King (the object of your ultimate trust) is now at the right hand of God. "More than that", He is the One "who indeed is interceding for us". Friend, do you understand the magnitude of what's happened? By grace through faith, in the resurrection of Jesus you have won the spiritual equivalent of the Powerball jackpot. 

Though some might scoff at this, we know that trusting in the risen Jesus is so bigger and so much better than the Powerball jackpot. But... here's how they are alike. If I were able to talk to you personally and remind you of the fact that Jesus Christ is alive, victorious over sin and death, that he is at God's right hand at this very moment, that he is interceding for you, you just might be tempted to say (or think to yourself)...

"Yeah, but... I'm really miserable at work.

"Yeah, but... I'm drowning under a flood of debt."

"Yeah, but... my life is going nowhere, and it's making me depressed."

"Yeah, but... my marriage is falling apart."

"Yeah, but... I don't feel loved or appreciated."

"Yeah, but... I can't seem to do anything right."

"Yeah, but... people expect more from me than I can give them."

"Yeah, but... I'm afraid for my teenage son... I'm worried about my teenage daughter."

"Yeah, but... I'm scared about what the doctor will tell me at my next appointment."

"Yeah, but... I'm addicted to prescription meds. I'm addicted to pornography. I'm addicted to gambling."

"Yeah, but... I don't think I'll ever find a spouse."

"Yeah, but... I'm haunted every day by what happened to me."

"Yeah, but... I need to prove to them that I'm a real man."

"Yeah, but... I feel lost. I feel useless. I feel angry. I feel anxious. I feel ashamed. I feel alone."

"Yeah, but... there are so many people I don't want to let down."

"Yeah, I hear what you're saying about Jesus, but... I just have too much on my plate right now."

Friend, if Jesus is alive at this very moment, then all of our 'yeah, buts' really do lose their ultimate power. No, I'm not saying that your struggling marriage or debt or addiction or feelings of anger aren't important. But God has made you so spiritually wealthy in and through the risen Jesus, that you have both the resources to spiritually overcome any challenge and the reassurance that everything really will work out for you in the end. Even death cannot truly stop you. As Paul wrote a few verses earlier, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. "(Romans 8:28) And a few after our main verses, Paul reassures his readers that even our darkest hour and deepest sufferings, in fact, 

...in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38] For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, [39] nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37–39)

I certainly understand that the "yeah, buts" can feel so overwhelming at times. Such circumstances, such hurts, such 'question marks', really seem to have the power to drain every last cent from our emotional, mental, relational, and spiritual bank accounts. But resurrected love, "the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord," is our 'blank check'. 

Whatever you're presently facing, whatever is weighing you down, whatever is dominating your thoughts and tempting you to trust in something other than God, then please know that the resurrection of Jesus provides us with constant reassurance that everything belongs to the risen King and we belong to him, forever.

Just as my Powerball-playing friend's problems were all financial in nature, we need to accept that at the end of the day, according to God's word, all of our problems are ultimately spiritual in nature. Why? Because all of them either drive us to God or away from God. Either we look to him in faith, or we search for solutions and security in something else.

But again, if we belong to the risen Jesus, and all things belong to him, then we have a newfound wealth that is beyond calculation. And because of that newfound wealth, all of those 'yeah, but' problems have, in effect, lost their sting. Just as I asked my friend earlier, so I ask you about the gospel: "Do you know what you have here?"

May God help us to appreciate today that the resurrection of Jesus, of the one at God's right hand... right now, the one interceding for us... always, his resurrection means the ultimate death of our 'yeah, buts'. Or to put it another way, in terms of your eternal good, in terms of God's big picture, the One who was raised up in power on that first Easter really does render every 'yeah, but' powerless.

Talk to him even now about the difficult things in your life, whether that be a voice inside, or voices on the outside. Believer, ask Him even now to show you the greatness of your spiritual wealth as you look in faith to the greatness of the risen Jesus.

The entire Old Testament makes at least one point clear with deafening repetition: there is only one God. But Isaiah chapters 40-46 may be the epicenter of that repetition. As Yahweh, through the prophet, addresses his people's temptation to rely on idols, over and over again he makes it clear that he alone is God. To be clear, He isn't simply the God of Israel; the only God they should worship. Through a variety of questions and arguments and statements, God makes it abundantly clear that there are no other gods. They simply do not exist. How could they if Yahweh is God? A God who deserves every ounce of glory. A God who is absolutely incomparable. Whatever power there is, and wherever it is, it ultimately belongs to Him and him alone. Below you will find those questions and arguments and statements (with the full verses listed after that list). They can be found in many other places in Scripture, but again, this section of the Hebrew Bible is unusually dense. There are a couple related verses included below that come from outside these chapters, but they are still found in the second half of Isaiah. May these verses encourage each of us to root out any idols still active in our own hearts, and better still, to remember (and stand awe of) the utterly unmatched greatness of the one, true God.

To whom then will you liken God? (40:18)

“To whom then will you compare me?” (40:25)

“I work, and who can turn it back?" (43:13)

“Who is like me?” (44:7)

"To whom will you liken me?” (46:5)

 ********

“...there is none like me...” (46:9)

 ********

“...my glory I give to no other...” (42:8)

“My glory I will not give to another.” (48:11)

 ********

“...besides me there is no savior.” (43:11)

“... besides me there is no god.” (44:6)

“Is there a God besides me?” (44:8)

“... besides me there is no God...” (45:5)

“...there is none besides me...” (45:6)

“...no god besides him.” (45:17)

“...there is no other god besides me...” (45:21)

“...there is none besides me.” (45:21)

“...no eye has seen a God besides you...” (64:4)

 ********

“Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.” (43:10)

 ********

“...there is no other...” (45:5)

“...there is no other.” (45:6)

“...there is no other...” (45:17)

“...there is no other.” (45:18)

“...there is no other god besides me...” (45:21)

“...there is no other.” (45:22)

“...there is no other...” (46:9)

 ********

“...I am God...” (45:22)

“...I am God...” (46:9)

“...I am God...” (46:9)

 ********

“...who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself...” (44:24)

 ********

"Only in the LORD... are righteousness and strength”. (45:24)

Full Quotations:

“To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him?” (40:18)

“To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One.” (40:25)

“I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.” (42:8)

"You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.” (43:10)

“I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior.” (43:11)

“Also henceforth I am he; there is none who can deliver from my hand; I work, and who can turn it back?" (43:13)

“Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: "I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.” (44:6)

“Who is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and set it before me, since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen.” (44:7)

“Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any." (44:8)

Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: "I am the LORD, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself...” (44:24)

“I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me, [6] that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the LORD, and there is no other. ... [14] Thus says the LORD: "The wealth of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush, and the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over to you and be yours; they shall follow you; they shall come over in chains and bow down to you. They will plead with you, saying: 'Surely God is in you, and there is no other, no god besides him.'" ... [18] For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it empty, he formed it to be inhabited!): "I am the LORD, and there is no other. ... [21] Declare and present your case; let them take counsel together! Who told this long ago? Who declared it of old? Was it not I, the LORD? And there is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides me. [22] "Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.” (45:5-6, 14, 18, 21-22)

"Only in the LORD, it shall be said of me, are righteousness and strength; to him shall come and be ashamed all who were incensed against him.” (45:24)

"To whom will you liken me and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be alike?” (46:5)

“...remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me...” (46:9)

“For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another.” (48:11)

“From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.” (64:4)

It all began when I picked up a book that had been on my “to read” pile for several years: The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard. It had been highly recommended by someone I respected, but I had forgotten about it and my enthusiasm had waned. Once I started, it didn’t take me long to recognize why it had been highly recommended.

Though I had a great desire to live in a way that would please and glorify my Lord, it quickly became clear that I had pretty much discounted Jesus’ descriptions of Kingdom living in His Sermon on the Mount, as impossible for real life. Turns out this is not true! I devoured the book and subsequently took several individuals and groups through it as well. At the end of the book Dr. Willard did something for me that I had never seen done before. He gave specific and very practical steps on cooperating with God to develop a heart that thinks and acts like His does. After all, it IS all about Jesus’ goal to change hearts and years of experience had taught me that I’m powerless to change mine!

Maybe the most helpful insight was the suggestion to get to “know” God in deeper ways. I thought I knew God pretty well as I had been walking with Him for some forty years. But I began a habit that I’m still working on, supplementing my Bible reading with writings by wise theologians, from Augustine to Piper, specifically on their views of God. Dr. Willard pointed out that, knowing Him more deeply, we will love Him more fully, and have greater motivation and power to do what He says - all the while, He’s changing the heart. It’s all about Him, not my abilities or failures! Without knowing it, I had a deficient view of God.

About this time my brother-in-law died and left my sister alone in Wisconsin without friends or family to support her. I knew this was where the rubber would meet the road. I was her only remaining blood relative. I DID NOT WANT THIS JOB! But Jesus didn’t ask me if I wanted it.

You see, my sister was diagnosed with schizophrenia when she was 22 years old. As youngsters we were separated by five years in age and had little in common. And my personality is pretty much black and white, logical, and with little natural mercy. In addition, there were some serious false accusations leveled against me over the years. God was now putting me in His training school! I continued to stay in the Word and study what others had learned about Him.

I had to get on my face and beg the Lord to give me supernatural grace in loving her, caring for her and helping with hundreds of details that I couldn’t even see. And all from a distance of 2000 miles! The first difficult step was to get on a plane and fly to Wisconsin for Bob’s funeral, which meant staying with her in their home. I prayed and cried out and prayed. God did beyond my expectations as He always does, and we had a very friendly time together even though much of what she said and did rankle me.

For the next five months I was on the phone to heaven and to dozens of lesser agencies almost full time. In this time God did so many miracles that it’s difficult to enumerate them. We found homes for her two untrained dogs, sold her house, sorted belongings, found a temporary assisted living facility in Buckeye, moved her and a small POD of belongings, and eventually settled her in a beautiful little assisted living apartment in Glendale – all on a shoestring HUD housing budget! Through it all, I was learning how to listen, to care, and to balance justice with mercy. But these were continually motivated and undergirded by what I was coming to know about my Lord.

For the next eleven months, she needed a shoulder, finances handled, reason restored as possible and lots of mental and physical TLC. This is not to say that there weren’t setbacks, but through it all God was so gracious and answered so many prayers. In the last weeks of her life, He gave me an amazing gift of compassion. I believe she received Jesus’ love in her last week as I saw a peace in her that she never had before.

A month later, Gene, who already had several life threatening diagnoses, developed daily fevers accompanied by confusion and nausea. His weight, energy and mental state declined quickly and on June 30^th he went home to Jesus. The boys had just helped me put him in a chair and Kevin and Jen were awakened to come sit with us as he left his body. It was a very difficult, but beautiful home-going.

So basically my life was upended, but I knew my Lord more deeply than I ever thought possible and He had proved Himself to be more than I had known. He had been preparing me for this time for several years. My running conversation with Him during those first weeks was so very precious! And His hands and feet have moved in amazing ways through my family and my church. What a Savior!!

I still don’t perfectly live the discourse on the hill that Jesus taught, NOR do I know all there is to know about the Lord’s power, beauty and love. What I do know is that God used Dr. Willard and his writings to give me a new security in Jesus’ love and perfect patience, and that I’ve only begun the deeper walk of knowing and loving Him more and thus living the Kingdom life He purchased! What a pathway it continues to be!