Dr Noel Woodbridge formerly served as a Senior Academic at the South African Theological Seminary in Johannesburg, South Africa, where worked from 2001 to 2018. He has a DEd in Philosophy of Education (UNISA) and a DTh in Practical Theology (UNIZUL). He has previously served as Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education at UNISA, where he worked from 1987 to 1999. Over the years, he has written numerous articles in the field of Education and the field of Theology. He has also presented numerous papers at National and International Conferences in both of these fields. While at UNISA, in 1992/93 Noel received a grant from the Ernest Oppenheimer Memorial Fund to go on a Faculty Exchange to the School of Education at the San Diego State University.
No one can deny that modern culture is opposed to Christian values. The adverse influences that b... more No one can deny that modern culture is opposed to Christian values. The adverse influences that bombard the moral development of children today can be deadly. However, few parents and church leaders fully realise just how critical it is to initiate the development the child's biblical worldview, from an early age. The problem is complex, especially in light of the common circumstance of parents themselves not having received adequate (early) spiritual training. As a result, they often seem to leave their children's training and development solely to the church. Yet, the church generally focuses on older children, not realising that a child's moral development is set by the age of nine.
Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Sep 1, 2009
The Shack, one of the most popular and controversial Christian books of recent years, is the fict... more The Shack, one of the most popular and controversial Christian books of recent years, is the fictional work by first-time author William Young, which embodies lengthy conversations between the main character, a man named Mack, and three persons who represent a version of the Trinity. It is a national bestseller widely embraced by some churches and many professing Christians. The Shack is a fresh, unique, and thought-provoking book that manages to touch the heart in very real ways. Young uses contemporary metaphor to reveal God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Evangelical recording artist Michael W. Smith states, "The Shack will leave you craving for the presence of God."
Mark Hitchcock, whose books have sold more than 300,000 copies, is the pastor of Faith Bible Chur... more Mark Hitchcock, whose books have sold more than 300,000 copies, is the pastor of Faith Bible Church in Edmond, Oklahoma. He earned his law degree from Oklahoma State University, and a PhD from Dallas Theological Seminary. He is uniquely equipped to present the various 2012 end-time scenarios, in addition to the Bible's last-days prophecies. Moreover, many consider him to be the foremost expert on Bible prophecy today. He has written over a dozen books on the Bible and the end times, including The complete book of bible prophecy, Cashless, Iran: the coming crisis, 101 answers to the most asked questions about the end times, The coming Islamic invasion of Israel, Is America in Bible prophecy?, and What on earth is going on?
Since its inception, the Christian church has been involved in social transformation (De Santa An... more Since its inception, the Christian church has been involved in social transformation (De Santa Ana 1981; McNeal 2009:xxiii, xiv; Pillay 2017:1), especially when it has sided with the poor and the oppressed, yet at times, it has lost its focus (Ndukwe 2008:2; Pillay 2017:11). However, throughout church history, it has managed to by and large adhere to its missional responsibility (De Santa Ana 1979; Pillay 2017):
Contemporary theology is a maze of conflicting beliefs and approaches. The present situation pose... more Contemporary theology is a maze of conflicting beliefs and approaches. The present situation poses unique challenges to evangelical orthodoxy. Using typology (as developed by social scientists), this article surveys a limited variety of intellectual constructs around which the greater variety of contemporary theologies are built. The article analyses Toon's four basic types of theology and evaluates their dangers, especially when their research methods are applied in a total manner. The article concludes with an appropriate Christian response to the contemporary challenges to evangelical orthodoxy posed by these approaches to theology.
The aim of this paper is to investigate the true nature of psychotherapy. In particular, an attem... more The aim of this paper is to investigate the true nature of psychotherapy. In particular, an attempt will be made to answer the question : Is psychotherapy a science or a religion? It is a sad fact that today's church has to a large extent given up its call to minister to hurting people, because Christians believe the myth that psychotherapy is a science. The paper argues that psychotherapy, in fact, is not a science, but rather another religion and that today's church needs to return to the biblical counselling of the early church, which is far more effective than psychotherapy.
The aim of this article is to analyse the theological basis of Christian ethics and to evaluate C... more The aim of this article is to analyse the theological basis of Christian ethics and to evaluate Christian ethics in terms of criteria for an adequate ethical system. The article draws attention to the moral crisis facing modern culture, hence the need for an adequate ethical system. Several contemporary ethical systems are evaluated and found to be lacking in many important areas. In spite of the challenge of contemporary ethical systems and ethical dilemmas confronting Christian ethics today, and some problematic areas in Christian ethics, the article finds that Christian ethics is a valid ethical system with a sound theological basis. Finally, an evaluation of Christian ethics in terms of six specific criteria clearly reveals that Christian ethics is an adequate ethical system, which is far superior to the contemporary ethical systems of modern culture.
Nowadays there is much confusion in the field of eschatology. On the one hand, believers are bein... more Nowadays there is much confusion in the field of eschatology. On the one hand, believers are being advised to 'follow the unbiblical, complex and bizarre scheme of Dispensationalism with its "Secret Rapture," political Anti-Christ and worldly Millennium' (WTS Books 2013). On the other hand, the 'full preterists' inform us 'that all biblical prophecy has been fulfilled', and they say that we ought not to expect Christ to descend from the sky in judgment and triumph. However, in his book, The end times made simple, Waldron claims that both of these end-time schemes are incorrect and that the Bible teaching on the end-times is actually quite straightforward (WTS Books 2013).
No one can deny that modern culture is opposed to Christian values. The adverse influences that b... more No one can deny that modern culture is opposed to Christian values. The adverse influences that bombard the moral development of children today can be deadly. However, few parents and church leaders fully realise just how critical it is to initiate the development the child's biblical worldview, from an early age. The problem is complex, especially in light of the common circumstance of parents themselves not having received adequate (early) spiritual training. As a result, they often seem to leave their children's training and development solely to the church. Yet, the church generally focuses on older children, not realising that a child's moral development is set by the age of nine.
Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Sep 1, 2009
The Shack, one of the most popular and controversial Christian books of recent years, is the fict... more The Shack, one of the most popular and controversial Christian books of recent years, is the fictional work by first-time author William Young, which embodies lengthy conversations between the main character, a man named Mack, and three persons who represent a version of the Trinity. It is a national bestseller widely embraced by some churches and many professing Christians. The Shack is a fresh, unique, and thought-provoking book that manages to touch the heart in very real ways. Young uses contemporary metaphor to reveal God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Evangelical recording artist Michael W. Smith states, "The Shack will leave you craving for the presence of God."
Mark Hitchcock, whose books have sold more than 300,000 copies, is the pastor of Faith Bible Chur... more Mark Hitchcock, whose books have sold more than 300,000 copies, is the pastor of Faith Bible Church in Edmond, Oklahoma. He earned his law degree from Oklahoma State University, and a PhD from Dallas Theological Seminary. He is uniquely equipped to present the various 2012 end-time scenarios, in addition to the Bible's last-days prophecies. Moreover, many consider him to be the foremost expert on Bible prophecy today. He has written over a dozen books on the Bible and the end times, including The complete book of bible prophecy, Cashless, Iran: the coming crisis, 101 answers to the most asked questions about the end times, The coming Islamic invasion of Israel, Is America in Bible prophecy?, and What on earth is going on?
Since its inception, the Christian church has been involved in social transformation (De Santa An... more Since its inception, the Christian church has been involved in social transformation (De Santa Ana 1981; McNeal 2009:xxiii, xiv; Pillay 2017:1), especially when it has sided with the poor and the oppressed, yet at times, it has lost its focus (Ndukwe 2008:2; Pillay 2017:11). However, throughout church history, it has managed to by and large adhere to its missional responsibility (De Santa Ana 1979; Pillay 2017):
Contemporary theology is a maze of conflicting beliefs and approaches. The present situation pose... more Contemporary theology is a maze of conflicting beliefs and approaches. The present situation poses unique challenges to evangelical orthodoxy. Using typology (as developed by social scientists), this article surveys a limited variety of intellectual constructs around which the greater variety of contemporary theologies are built. The article analyses Toon's four basic types of theology and evaluates their dangers, especially when their research methods are applied in a total manner. The article concludes with an appropriate Christian response to the contemporary challenges to evangelical orthodoxy posed by these approaches to theology.
The aim of this paper is to investigate the true nature of psychotherapy. In particular, an attem... more The aim of this paper is to investigate the true nature of psychotherapy. In particular, an attempt will be made to answer the question : Is psychotherapy a science or a religion? It is a sad fact that today's church has to a large extent given up its call to minister to hurting people, because Christians believe the myth that psychotherapy is a science. The paper argues that psychotherapy, in fact, is not a science, but rather another religion and that today's church needs to return to the biblical counselling of the early church, which is far more effective than psychotherapy.
The aim of this article is to analyse the theological basis of Christian ethics and to evaluate C... more The aim of this article is to analyse the theological basis of Christian ethics and to evaluate Christian ethics in terms of criteria for an adequate ethical system. The article draws attention to the moral crisis facing modern culture, hence the need for an adequate ethical system. Several contemporary ethical systems are evaluated and found to be lacking in many important areas. In spite of the challenge of contemporary ethical systems and ethical dilemmas confronting Christian ethics today, and some problematic areas in Christian ethics, the article finds that Christian ethics is a valid ethical system with a sound theological basis. Finally, an evaluation of Christian ethics in terms of six specific criteria clearly reveals that Christian ethics is an adequate ethical system, which is far superior to the contemporary ethical systems of modern culture.
Nowadays there is much confusion in the field of eschatology. On the one hand, believers are bein... more Nowadays there is much confusion in the field of eschatology. On the one hand, believers are being advised to 'follow the unbiblical, complex and bizarre scheme of Dispensationalism with its "Secret Rapture," political Anti-Christ and worldly Millennium' (WTS Books 2013). On the other hand, the 'full preterists' inform us 'that all biblical prophecy has been fulfilled', and they say that we ought not to expect Christ to descend from the sky in judgment and triumph. However, in his book, The end times made simple, Waldron claims that both of these end-time schemes are incorrect and that the Bible teaching on the end-times is actually quite straightforward (WTS Books 2013).
Violence in any form, including rape, has a corrosive effect on the psychological, moral, spiritu... more Violence in any form, including rape, has a corrosive effect on the psychological, moral, spiritual and social lives of people. The high incidence of rape in South Africa has led to its being dubbed the 'Rape Capital' of the world, and violence against women has become the new 'normal'. To help understand, explain and prevent this phenomenon, this paper presents a biblical analysis of the narrative of the rape of Tamar in 2 Samuel 13, and identifies the contributing factors that led to rape. It then offers a biblical analysis of human passions, with special reference to sexual lust, to help us to understand a person's character. A contemporary psychological and moral profile of Amnon, the rapist, is then presented. Finally, a six-fold pastoral response to a contemporary rape situation is proposed, based on the biblical, psychological and moral analysis of the rape of Tamar by Amnon.
Each Western worldview (Colonialism, Anti-colonialism and Globalism) profoundly shaped the way We... more Each Western worldview (Colonialism, Anti-colonialism and Globalism) profoundly shaped the way Westerners related to other people and cultures and the way they did missions. This paper examines the West’s two fundamental worldview shifts away from Colonialism precipitated by the encounter of missionaries with people from other races, cultures and religions, as well as the implications of these shifts for missions.
Book review by Noel Woodbridge D.Ed. (Unisa), D.Th. (Unizul) The warning ... more Book review by Noel Woodbridge D.Ed. (Unisa), D.Th. (Unizul) The warning passages in Hebrews have troubled Bible students for centuries. The purpose of the book is to examine the apparently sharply worded statements generally referred to as The Five Warnings of Hebrews plus one more which often the writer includes with the five. The main objective is to determine: To whom were the "warnings" addressed? What was the nature and implications of the pleadings made? Why were the cautions made? The book is scholarly and is about complex and arguable concepts. Nevertheless, the author tries to make its ideas as clear and comprehensible as possible. After the Introduction, the book is structured according the four main divisions: Prologue to times and circumstance, Prologue to Interpretation, The Expositions, and Safety and Security.
The chronology of Daniel's 70th week has been the subject of many debates among Bible scholars fo... more The chronology of Daniel's 70th week has been the subject of many debates among Bible scholars for a long time. Some scholars place it in the past, while others place it in the future. The aim of this paper is to argue in support of the Historical-Messianic interpretation.
Book review by Noel Woodbridge D.Ed. (Unisa), D.Th. (Unizul) The warning passages in Hebrews have... more Book review by Noel Woodbridge D.Ed. (Unisa), D.Th. (Unizul) The warning passages in Hebrews have troubled Bible students for centuries. The purpose of the book is to examine the apparently sharply worded statements generally referred to as The Five Warnings of Hebrews plus one more which often the writer includes with the five. The main objective is to determine: To whom were the "warnings" addressed? What was the nature and implications of the pleadings made? Why were the cautions made? The book is scholarly and is about complex and arguable concepts. Nevertheless, the author tries to make its ideas as clear and comprehensible as possible. After the Introduction, the book is structured according the four main divisions: Prologue to times and circumstance, Prologue to Interpretation, The Expositions, and Safety and Security.
Robert Charles’ book on Amazon is a scholarly and highly readable book, This Mystery: An Expositi... more Robert Charles’ book on Amazon is a scholarly and highly readable book, This Mystery: An Exposition of Romans 11, is essential reading for all Bible scholars and students, who are seeking answers to the following questions relating to biblical prophecy: (1) Are Jewish people still God’s chosen people with a glorious future? (2) Does modern Israel play any part in the end times? (3) Can a person be rejected and condemned on the one hand, or accepted and approved on the other, purely by accident of birth? Contending against the misinterpretations and deeply flawed doctrines relating to the role of Israel in biblical prophecy is a crucial aim of this book. One of the most popular views among Christians in the USA is Dispensationalism: a bizarre teaching which denies the oneness of Old Testament Israel and the New Testament church, rejects the unity of the covenant of grace and regards the creation of the modern state of Israel as the literal fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in the end-times. As a result of a literal interpretation of biblical prophecy, one of the major characteristics of Dispensationalists is their false, unbiblical distinction (in terms of the Dual Covenant theory) between Israel (the Jewish nation) and the Church. They believe that the promises made to Israel in the Old Testament (especially regarding physical blessings, such as land), apply only to Israel unless God has stated otherwise. Underpinned by the proper interpretation of this mystery (Rom.11:25), this book provides a comprehensive, verse-by-verse exposition of Romans 11 (supported by other Scriptures) that provides answers to the following questions: (1) Are Jewish people still God’s chosen people with a glorious future? God's eternal purpose never included the salvation of every ethnic Jew. The Jews today continue to reject God’s Messiah. They are utterly lost to God in the same way as any unbelieving non-Jew. The Bible clearly teaches that God's plan for Israel and the Old Testament promises and prophecies spoken to Israel are now being fulfilled in the Church. For example, Paul uses the word everyone in Romans 10:13 to indicate that the way of salvation is open to all Jews and Gentiles alike. Righteousness is available to both Jew and Gentile and it is also received in the same way by both (Acts 15:11). The one true and only living God justifies both Jew and Gentile “by grace... through faith” (Ephesians 2:8). Hence, both Jewish and Gentile believers together comprise God’s Church, which is the New Israel. As I see it, the greatest biblical argument against the Dual Covenant Theory can be found in Hebrews 8:13 (ESV): “In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” According to this verse, the Old Covenant in which the nation of Israel was the chosen people of God, is obsolete, and has been replaced by the superior New Covenant, in which both Jewish and Gentile believers in Christ are the new chosen people of God. (2) Does modern Israel play any part in the end times? The formation of the modern state of Israel has no bearing on the Christian understanding of biblical prophecy. The people occupying modern secular Israel are different from the biblical kingdom of God, which consists of all those who believe and obey Christ, the only hope of a broken world. Biblical evidence reveals that the greatest mystery of ages in Romans 11 is the way God plans to save all men everywhere in every age who will believe the gospel of His Son. The church today fulfills the regathering and restoration of the Church, the New Israel. (3) Can a person be rejected and condemned on the one hand, or accepted and approved on the other, purely by accident of birth? There is no biblical basis for the claim that God has saved or will save certain people, such as Jewish people, purely by accident of birth. After the cross of Christ, none can ever enter into covenant with God on the basis of natural birth. Neither will any person ever be rejected by God by accident of birth. Jesus made it clear, “to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name... who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12, 13). Following the birth of the church at Pentecost, God’s promise of salvation was offered and continues to be offered in one gospel to all nations and peoples of the earth. Both Paul and Peter proclaimed a gospel by which both Jew and non-Jew could enter the kingdom by grace through faith in Christ. But, whereas the Old Testament promises were made to natural Israel, they now are made to all humankind. I conclude by recommending this book as an excellent source for understanding the key questions derived from Romans 11 relating to Israel in end-time biblical prophecy. I would like to have seen some reference to the Amillennial view of Romans 11, which is closely related to the topic of this book. For example, most Amillennialists insist that the salvation of the nation of Israel as a whole, during the end-times, will not be for the purpose of restoring Israel to her Old Testament theocratic glory. Rather, believing Jews will be saved into and as a vital part of the body of Christ, the Church, the true Israel of God. Despite this omission, I personally have benefited from reading this book and would strongly recommend that Bible scholars from all sides of the argument doing research into the place of Israel in end-time biblical prophecy (as recorded in Romans 11), should take this timely book very seriously.
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Contending against the misinterpretations and deeply flawed doctrines relating to the role of Israel in biblical prophecy is a crucial aim of this book. One of the most popular views among Christians in the USA is Dispensationalism: a bizarre teaching which denies the oneness of Old Testament Israel and the New Testament church, rejects the unity of the covenant of grace and regards the creation of the modern state of Israel as the literal fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in the end-times. As a result of a literal interpretation of biblical prophecy, one of the major characteristics of Dispensationalists is their false, unbiblical distinction (in terms of the Dual Covenant theory) between Israel (the Jewish nation) and the Church. They believe that the promises made to Israel in the Old Testament (especially regarding physical blessings, such as land), apply only to Israel unless God has stated otherwise.
Underpinned by the proper interpretation of this mystery (Rom.11:25), this book provides a comprehensive, verse-by-verse exposition of Romans 11 (supported by other Scriptures) that provides answers to the following questions:
(1) Are Jewish people still God’s chosen people with a glorious future? God's eternal purpose never included the salvation of every ethnic Jew. The Jews today continue to reject God’s Messiah. They are utterly lost to God in the same way as any unbelieving non-Jew. The Bible clearly teaches that God's plan for Israel and the Old Testament promises and prophecies spoken to Israel are now being fulfilled in the Church. For example, Paul uses the word everyone in Romans 10:13 to indicate that the way of salvation is open to all Jews and Gentiles alike. Righteousness is available to both Jew and Gentile and it is also received in the same way by both (Acts 15:11). The one true and only living God justifies both Jew and Gentile “by grace... through faith” (Ephesians 2:8). Hence, both Jewish and Gentile believers together comprise God’s Church, which is the New Israel.
As I see it, the greatest biblical argument against the Dual Covenant Theory can be found in Hebrews 8:13 (ESV): “In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” According to this verse, the Old Covenant in which the nation of Israel was the chosen people of God, is obsolete, and has been replaced by the superior New Covenant, in which both Jewish and Gentile believers in Christ are the new chosen people of God.
(2) Does modern Israel play any part in the end times? The formation of the modern state of Israel has no bearing on the Christian understanding of biblical prophecy. The people occupying modern secular Israel are different from the biblical kingdom of God, which consists of all those who believe and obey Christ, the only hope of a broken world. Biblical evidence reveals that the greatest mystery of ages in Romans 11 is the way God plans to save all men everywhere in every age who will believe the gospel of His Son. The church today fulfills the regathering and restoration of the Church, the New Israel.
(3) Can a person be rejected and condemned on the one hand, or accepted and approved on the other, purely by accident of birth? There is no biblical basis for the claim that God has saved or will save certain people, such as Jewish people, purely by accident of birth. After the cross of Christ, none can ever enter into covenant with God on the basis of natural birth. Neither will any person ever be rejected by God by accident of birth. Jesus made it clear, “to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name... who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12, 13). Following the birth of the church at Pentecost, God’s promise of salvation was offered and continues to be offered in one gospel to all nations and peoples of the earth. Both Paul and Peter proclaimed a gospel by which both Jew and non-Jew could enter the kingdom by grace through faith in Christ. But, whereas the Old Testament promises were made to natural Israel, they now are made to all humankind.
I conclude by recommending this book as an excellent source for understanding the key questions derived from Romans 11 relating to Israel in end-time biblical prophecy. I would like to have seen some reference to the Amillennial view of Romans 11, which is closely related to the topic of this book. For example, most Amillennialists insist that the salvation of the nation of Israel as a whole, during the end-times, will not be for the purpose of restoring Israel to her Old Testament theocratic glory. Rather, believing Jews will be saved into and as a vital part of the body of Christ, the Church, the true Israel of God. Despite this omission, I personally have benefited from reading this book and would strongly recommend that Bible scholars from all sides of the argument doing research into the place of Israel in end-time biblical prophecy (as recorded in Romans 11), should take this timely book very seriously.