Call Us: 423 661-4734 | Email: requests@comeandreason.com      
Laaste Generasie Teologie

Laaste Generasie Teologie

Mense reik dikwels uit na Come and Reason Ministries met vrae oor onderwerpe waaroor hulle bekommerd is, en een van die onderwerpe waaroor ek gereeld gevra word, is Laaste Generasie Teologie (LGT) – wat ek daarvan dink en wat is die ontwerpwet siening daarvan.

LGT is die oortuiging dat ‘n groep mense, wat dikwels na verwys word as “die oorblyfsel”, “morele volmaaktheid” sal verkry en “ophou sondig” voor die wederkoms van Jesus.

Die idee van volmaaktheid is nie ‘n menslike idee nie; die lering oor volmaak wees kom van Jesus af:

Wees dus volmaak, want julle hemelse Vader is volmaak (Matthéüs 5:48, NIV 84).

So ‘n stelling word dikwels met bewing aangehoor. Hoe kan ons sondaars ooit volmaak wees soos God volmaak is?

Die kritieste vraag om jouself te vra is: “Deur watter wetslens verstaan ek hierdie gedeelte?” Verstaan jy “wees volmaak” deur die lens van menslike wet, wat opgelegde reëls is wat gedrag monitor en beheer – of verstaan jy dit deur God se ontwerpwette, die protokolle waarop lewe en gesondheid gebou is om te werk?

As jy Bybelvolmaaktheid deur die lens van die opgelegde wet verstaan, gaan volmaak wees oor prestasie, dade, optredes, take en werke. Uiteindelik leer mense dat ‘n mens moet ophou “sondig” – dit wil sê, elke enkele optrede of daad wat jy doen, moet perfek wees. Diegene wat aan hierdie opgelegde wetsbegrip vashou, verkies die King James-weergawe van 1 Johannes 3:4: “Sonde is oortreding van die wet,” waarin hulle tot die gevolgtrekking kom dat “wet” verwys na opgelegde reëls en dat “oortreding” slegte gedrag of reëloortreding beteken. Hulle idee van Bybelse volmaaktheid is volmaakte reëlonderhouding.

Maar hierdie konsep veroorsaak vrees en moedeloosheid omdat hierdie lering dikwels gepaard gaan met ‘n ander misverstaande konsep: dat voor die wederkoms, 1) Jesus sy voorbidding vir sondaars as ons Middelaar in die hemel staak en dus 2) enige sondes wat daarna gepleeg word, nie vergewe of uit die boeke uitgewis kan word nie en dus 3) hierdie sondes bly op die sondaar se boeke en, 4) Daar sal dus van God verwag word om die sondaar in die helse vuur te straf. Dit is hoekom die laaste geslag volmaak moet wees volgens LGT-voorstanders, want vir enige sonde wat gepleeg word nadat Jesus sy bemiddelaarswerk voltooi het, sal die sondaar voor wetlik aanspreeklik gehou word.

LGT wat deur menslike opgelegde wette geleer word, veroorsaak baie benoudheid vir baie Christene omdat hulle hul eie swakhede, tekortkominge en foute ken, en hulle glo net nie dat hulle ooit volmaak kan wees nie – en volgens LGT sal slegs die volmaakte na die hemel geneem word wanneer Jesus kom. Hierdie teologie het dus nie vertroue in Jesus verhoog nie, maar eerder vrees by baie aangewakker en veroorsaak dat baie moed opgee met God.

Wanneer ons terugkeer na die aanbidding van God as Skepper, besef ons dat sy wette ontwerpwette is, die protokolle waarop die Skepper die werklikheid gebou het om op te werk; ons verstaan dat 1 Johannes 3:4 beter vertaal kan word as “sonde is wetteloosheid” (AFR20, AFR53, NLV) of om nie in harmonie met God se wet te wees nie, wat nie ‘n stel opgelegde reëls is nie, maar die ontwerpprotokolle vir die lewe.

Ons verstaan dat die basis vir lewe in God se heelal God is en die wet waarop Hy lewe gebou het om te werk. Ons besef dat ons as sondaars herstel moet word tot eenheid met God in hart, verstand, siel en krag. En ons lees Jesus se woorde oor volmaak wees in hul volle konteks, sodat Jesus ons kan inlig oor wat Hy bedoel het:

Jy het gehoor dat daar gesê is: “Wees lief vir jou naaste en haat jou vyand.” Maar Ek sê vir julle: Wees lief vir julle vyande en bid vir dié wat julle vervolg, sodat julle kinders van julle Vader in die hemel kan wees. Hy laat sy son opkom oor die slegte en die goeie, en laat reën oor die regverdiges en die onregverdiges. As jy lief is vir diegene wat jou liefhet, watter beloning sal jy kry? Doen nie selfs die tollenaars dit nie? En as jy net jou broers groet, wat doen jy meer as ander? Doen nie selfs heidene dit nie? Wees dus volmaak, want julle hemelse Vader is volmaak (Matthéüs 5:43-48).

Jesus self beskryf wat dit beteken om volmaak te wees: om almal lief te hê, deurlopend en betroubaar, net soos die son en die reën almal presies dieselfde behandel. Maar dit word verstaan dat dit slegs moontlik is deur eers herstel te word na ‘n liefdes- en vertrouensverhouding met God, soos Jesus verskeie kere gesê het:

“Wees lief vir die Here jou God met jou hele hart en met jou hele siel en met jou hele verstand.” Dit is die eerste en grootste gebod. En die tweede is sortgelyk: “Wees lief vir jou naaste soos jouself.” Die hele Wet en die Profete hang aan hierdie twee gebooie (Matthéüs 22:37-40, NIV84).

En hoe word God se liefde in ons harte herstel sodat ons volmaak kan wees? Dit is deur vertroue – dit wil sê geloof – in God. Soos die apostel Paulus dus geskryf het:

Alles wat nie uit geloof kom nie, is sonde (Romeine 14:23).

Bybelvolmaaktheid gaan nie oor dade of take nie; dit gaan oor liefde en vertroue, oor volwassenheid van karakter. Verwysend na Jesus, sê Hebreërs:

Gedurende die dae van Jesus se lewe op aarde het hy gebede en versoeke met harde krete en trane gerig aan die een wat hom van die dood kon red, en hy is verhoor as gevolg van sy eerbiedige onderdanigheid. Alhoewel hy ‘n seun was, het hy gehoorsaamheid geleer uit wat hy gely het, en toe hy volmaak is, het hy die bron van ewige verlossing geword vir almal wat hom gehoorsaam (Hebreërs 5:7-9, NIV 84).

Maar was Jesus nie altyd volmaak nie? Jesus was beslis altyd sondeloos, maar Bybelvolmaaktheid gaan nie oor sondeloosheid nie. Adam en Eva in Eden was sondeloos, maar hulle was nie volmaak nie. Bybelvolmaaktheid gaan oor volwassenheid van karakter, wat daaroor gaan om so diep in ‘n liefdes- en vertrouensverhouding met God te kom dat niks ons daaruit kan losskud nie. Die “volmaakte” is diegene wat getrou en lojaal aan God bly in hulle hart se toewyding, maak nie saak wat nie. Hulle het dalk vrae, hulle kan verkeerd verstaan, hulle kan verward wees oor hoekom dinge verloop soos dit doen; hulle kan uitroep soos Jesus, “My God, my God, waarom het U My verlaat?” (Matteus 27:45, NIV 84), maar ook net soos Jesus, vertrou hulle God steeds en sal hulle nie vertroue met Hom verbreek nie.

Daar is voorbeelde van mense wat sulke volmaaktheid bereik het – hulle was nie sondelose wesens nie, maar hulle was sondaars wat God so liefgehad het en vertrou het dat niks hulle uit hul getrouheid aan Hom kon losskud nie – daarom is hulle deur God beskryf as “volmaak”.

En die HERE sê vir Satan: “Het jy ag gegee op my kneg Job, dat daar niemand soos hy op die aarde is nie, ‘n volmaakte en opregte man, een wat God vrees en van kwaad wegbly?” (Job 1:8, NIV84).

Ander voorbeelde sluit in:

  • Daniël: Hy sal eerder in die leeukuil gegooi word as om God te verraai.
  • Shadrag, Mesag en Abednego: Hulle sal eerder in ‘n vuuroond gegooi word as om God te verraai.

Hierdie “volmaakte” mense was nie sondeloos nie; hulle was so gevestig in getroue lojaliteit aan God dat niks hulle daaruit kon losskud nie. Hulle sal nie hul liefde teenoor God en ander prysgee om hulleself te bevoordeel of te beskerm nie.

Dit is die volmaaktheid wat Jesus die ryk jong heerser beveel het om te verkry:

Jesus het geantwoord, “As jy volmaak wil wees, gaan en verkoop jou besittings en gee vir die armes, en jy sal ‘n skat in die hemel hê. Kom dan en volg My” (Matthéüs 19:21, NIV 84).

Deur watter wetslens verstaan jy Jesus se woorde? As jy dit deur die opgelegde wetslens lees, dan het Jesus net ‘n reël, ‘n optrede, ‘n taak gegee wat diegene wat “volmaak” wil wees, moet verrig: Hulle mag geen noemenswaardige rykdom besit nie; hulle moet al hul aardse besittings verkoop en die opbrengs aan die armes gee.

Maar as ‘n mens Jesus se woorde deur ontwerpwet verstaan, dan verstaan jy dat volmaaktheid eintlik gaan oor volwassenheid van karakter – in wie hulle hul vertroue plaas. Die Jode in Christus se tyd het geglo dat gesondheid en rykdom ‘n bewys van God se guns was, terwyl siekte en armoede ‘n bewys was van God se vloek, dat hulle uit God se guns was en deur God in sonde verlaat is. Die boek Job moes hulle verhinder het om so ‘n gebrekkige gevolgtrekking te maak, maar dit het nie; dit is hoe hulle gedink het en ander geleer het.

Die ryk jong heerser was van hierdie gebrekkige ingesteldheid en daarom was sy geloof nie in God nie, maar in die rykdom wat hom veilig, geborge en regverdig laat voel het. Jesus het vir hom gesê as hy ware volmaaktheid wil hê – volmaaktheid van hart, verstand en siel – dan moet hy ophou om op rykdom te vertrou en eerder op Hom vertrou; hy moet ontslae raak van al sy aardse sekuriteite en sy volle vertroue in Jesus stel. Maar die jong man kon dit nie doen nie, en onthul dat die probleem nie in sy rykdom was nie, maar waar hy sy vertroue geplaas het.

Die laaste geslag voor Christus verskyn sal voor ‘n soortgelyke dilemma te staan kom. Hulle sal onderdruk word deur dierlike magte wat opgelegde wette en dwanggeweld sal gebruik om die vryhede weg te neem van diegene wat nie as lojaal aan die dierlike stelsel gemerk is nie – insluitend die verwydering van hul ekonomiese vryheid deur hul eiendom en rykdom te neem. Diegene wat volmaak is in hul lojaliteit aan Jesus, sal nie hul geloof in Hom kompromitteer om aan hul bates vas te hou nie, of daardie bates persoonlike rykdom of genootskaplike rykdom is. Hulle sal nie die beginsels van God se koninkryk prysgee om aan hulle kerkeiendomme, hospitale, skole, klinieke of uitgewerye vas te hou nie. Hulle sal getrou bly aan Jesus, selfs al word hulle, soos Daniël, gevangenes van ‘n goddelose mag en word hulle in ‘n leeukuil gegooi.

Dit is presies hoe die Bybel die regverdige mense beskryf wat gereed is om hemel toe te gaan, die ware laaste geslag:

Hulle het hulle lewens nie so liefgehad dat hulle teruggedeins het vir die dood nie (Openbaring 12:11, NIV 84).

Die volmaaktes, diegene wat gereed is om Jesus te ontmoet wanneer Hy in die wolke terugkeer, is nie diegene met volmaakte dade of optredes nie, maar diegene wie se harte herstel is tot volmaakte vertroue in God. Hulle is so diep gevestig in hul verhouding met God dat niks hulle daaruit kan losskud nie. Geen beproewing, geen verdrukking, geen versoeking, geen leuen, geen pyn, geen verlies, geen aanval sal veroorsaak dat hulle geloof in God verbreek nie. Hulle is aan God verseël in hart, in verstand, in siel – en hulle vertrou God met hul toekoms.

Wees dus volmaak, want julle hemelse Vader is volmaak (Matthéüs 5:48, NIV 84).

 

 

Donate online, securely via PayPal using your credit or debit card (no PayPal account needed, unless you want to set up a monthly, recurring payment).


cancel recurring payment

 

Want to use zelle instead?
See how on our
Support and Donations page.

Upcoming Events

calendar

Testimonial Post Slider

Testimony 66

I am incredibly grateful for the transformative impact you’ve had on my life, and words cannot fully express my appreciation. Over the years, I have been an avid listener and follower of C&R and extend my heartfelt thanks for creating the C&R mobile app. It has allowed me to immerse myself in your lessons repeatedly, enabling me to grasp the profound significance about the Character of God, Design Law, the protocols for life, the reasons behind the current chaos, and Christ’s mission to restore everything. They have deeply touched me. Having studied with various churches, I came away with the perception that God is no different from the deities of ancient Greek or Roman mythology—demanding sacrifices and taking pleasure in bloodshed. Thanks to your transformative teachings, I have experienced a profound awakening to the true nature of God and the immense power of His love. It is truly a remarkable and liberating sensation to finally grasp the truth and embrace the empowering nature of God’s laws. My self-perception has become brighter and more infused with love. My journey of growth continues on a daily basis.

Chris P., Lake Mary, FL, USA

 

Testimony 67

I was introduced to Come And Reason by a friend of my mother-in-law, who gave me several CD’s of Dr. Jennings. The clarity of the message and recognition that God’s is a God of love was so clear, advancing beyond Dr. Maxwell’s message. However, grappled with Maxwell saying God used emergency measures for the fallen world. Now after several years of being a regular listener of the Come And Reasoning bible study class and attending Jennings’ meetings in Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, things are becoming clearer for me. Design law versus imposed law has added so much to my personal understanding of theology. This message has really impacted my work in counseling so many people miserable because they are searching for and trusting human governments to create order and peace or believing in a God who says love Me or I will kill you. I am grateful that I have an alternative view to offer my clients that makes sense. I teach a bible study class on a semi-regular basis and I value the materials that Come And Reason so freely offers to aid me in presenting this vital message. Thank you for continuing to provide advancement in our very limited understanding of a Infinite God that is rational and believable.

Dr. Roger D, Arlington, TX, USA

 

Testimony 18

The Healing the Mind DVD set tarted me on a journey that has changed my relationship with our loving God more significantly than any other study, and brought me to your book and Bible study podcasts, which I now listen to daily, thanks to the availability of archived content on your site and on iTunes.

Anonymous

 

Testimony 39

[This ministry is the] biggest blessing I have ever received! Your DVDs and lessons could not have come at a better time in my life. I have experienced in the past year many difficulties that, if it wasn’t for this wonderful view of God that I have discovered through this ministry, I would not have been able to respond in love and forgiveness. My heart is being transformed everyday by the Calvary-looking God you teach. Hallelujah!! I have tears in my eyes as I write, because my life has taken a complete turn from where I was heading.

I am from Central America. Most of my family is scattered in different parts of the world and all have the same view of God that I had growing up; a distant, exacting, and ready-to-punish-us-with-tragedy type of God. So, I have been translating lessons for my family and, to my surprise, they have also been sharing them with others! I can already see the difference. My brother has often said, “Thank you for sharing, I have never heard it this way!” My other family members are taking an amazing turn from a message of “repent or burn” towards a loving God, pleading to us that we won’t reject him because he loves us eternally.

Bless you for all you do.

Sofia S., Ashfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 1

Thank you! I love listening to the Come And Reason Ministries Bible study classes and am using some of your notes to get the lessons together that I will be teaching. You always have such good quotes and Bible texts and pull things together to make good sense.

T. C., IN, USA

 

Testimony 68

Your message of design law vs imperial law is so uplifting and makes so much sense- it is a game changer for me. The fact that Jesus’s death is not a big payment by an angry God is , quite frankly, a relief.

Laura G., London, Ontario, Canada

 

Testimony 11

I would love to have a copy of “Healing the Mind” DVDs to have in my therapy office. I enjoy having clients check out materials to enhance their therapy experience. I have sat under Dr. Jennings’ teaching at an American Association of Christian Counselors convention and respect his work greatly.

K.B., LA, USA

 

Testimony 71

When I was 9 years old, I remember setting at our devotional table with a hunger and thirst for God that wanted more, deeper, BETTER. I can remember literally crying and pounding on the table, “I know these teachers didn’t mean to give us error. They taught what THEY had been TAUGHT, but didn’t ANYBODY READ THE BOOK?!?!?” It mattered to me then. It mattered to me as a teenager. It matters now as I teach bible classes. It didn’t have to be so hard as I watched so many give up and lay God’s great plan and gift of salvation aside as being “impossible.” Then, a friend sent me a link to Come And Reason’s website. I grew excited. YES! FINALLY! Then another friend told me to stay away, saying her son had just broken up with a girl because she was involved with Come And Reason and that “Tim Jennings preaches a false gospel.” But, AFTER many years of developing an authentic and, dare I say FUN relationship with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit I see this message has been around a LONG time, since the apostle Paul, Ellen White, Graham Maxwell, Ray Foucher, and yourself (though I admit, you’ve made me back up, rewind and replay the clips, and get out my well-worn Bible on a few things.) I’m so thankful I have found LIGHT during these DARK days. I am not alone.

Vicki DiNitto

Testimony 56

I cannot thank you enough for opening my understanding to the beautiful truth of God’s Law of Love and how it applies to everything. I have been a Christian for over forty years, but I feel like I am only now seeing with my eyes open. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!

Tammy Cinzio, Australia

 

Testimony 43

Two years ago I stumbled upon your book, “Could It Be This Simple,” and then found “The God-Shaped Brain” videos on YouTube, your bible study class, and the ‘Come And Reason’ mobile app. I shared your book with a friend and after nine months of showing love, patience, and kindness this person has been changed by the love of God, too. The same love that healed me, I now express to other women in tangible ways, such as to a Baptist woman with high anxiety and childhood trauma. She was extremely happy and relieved when I shared about the so-called “judgment of God” and burning in hell. She had no desire to serve a God that was so harsh. I have repeated the phrase dozens of times to her. “What we believe has power over us, but we have power over what we believe…”

This message that you are sharing has changed my life. I will continue to serve other women and bring this message of God’s healing love to their lives by sharing your books, YouTube videos, and The Remedy Bible app. Keep up the good work. Don’t be discouraged. God is doing a mighty work in and through this ministry!

Jill L., Midwest, USA

 

Testimony 23

I would just like to add my voice to the many people who, I believe, must have contacted you to express their appreciation for the “Healing the Mind” DVDs. I’ve been listening to your Bible study class discussions for many years and I’ve been personally blessed by your research and teaching about the character of God.

L. G., Oakland, MI, USA

 

Testimony 69

After reading your book, ‘Could It Be This Simple,’ someone was explaining Christianity in a way that made sense to me for the first time in my life. One morning, I simply prayed “I’m sorry and I love you.” As soon as I silently said that, I could literally feel God’s presence and light flood down on me from above and fill me up with love and joy. I sat there crying my eyes out, because I was so overpowered with this feeling of love and joy. It was just so incredible. I hope that more people can read this book and get a blessing from it. It’s really amazing.

Rachael H.

Testimony 24

I wanted to thank you very much for presenting your understanding of God. I’ve always been troubled by this question: Why did Jesus have to die? Since my conversion I understood that The Father & Jesus are one, I did not have issues with that. But was there not any other way to save us than for Jesus to die? I guess I actually had a question about God – if He is so wise, how come He did not find another way? I did not see the real ‘beauty’  in the cross. Only when you explained the picture in the medical context, Jesus providing medicine for my selfishness, have I started to finally ‘see the light’. Thank you so much. Your seminar, “Healing the Mind,” are absolutely marvelous & have shared them with my family and many other people, including colleagues at work. Thanks, thanks, thanks. May God bless you abundantly in your ministry.

M. W., Australia

 

Testimony 52

Your unique way in spreading the truth is what we all need today. Most of us don’t recognize the contamination coming from all the lies and selfishness in the world. Because of our fear of death, we forgot how to live. Lies left and right. I was losing hope and faith, because of so many ideas that are always contradicting each other – so many questions answered by other, more complicated, questions – until I found your channel on YouTube.

You did not just give me answers, you also taught me how to answer new questions that arise in my mind. Now I see things differently. I see God’s mercy, grace, and Love everywhere, in spite of all the chaos that we all have done as humans. I don’t fear death anymore. Accepting the Truth and Love about God is truly a genuine Freedom from all the confusions, sufferings, selfishness, pain, and death.

I just wanted to say, thank you, sooooo much for revealing the real Remedy for our infected life. I have a new hope and now see the world in a different perspective!

Wheinny P., University Place, WA, USA

 

Testimony 26

Your teachings about our heavenly Father have changed my life. Thank you sooooooo very very much! I know He’s doing some serious healing in my heart and life and I look forward to each new day to learn something new about Him and to just hear you speak about Him. Thank you, forever.

Nancy S.