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Cosmic Conflict Lab

Models of Salvation - Part 1

Details: Created on Sunday, 20 May 2012 11:53

In this insightful lecture, John Webster, Professor of Systematic Theology and Dean of the School of Religion at La Sierra University, presented an overview of the various atonement models. This is the first of three lectures on the Atonement. As a framework for this, Dr. Webster used the influential book, Christus Victor by Gustav Aulén.

Participating in the Cosmic Conflict

Details: Created on Tuesday, 15 May 2012 11:53

We talk a lot about the cosmic conflict, but the bible is clear that we are to become actual participants in this great controversy. When Jesus observed his disciples initial engagement in the cosmic conflict he said, "I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightening" (Luke 10:18). In this lecture, Harvey Elder will use this passage to discuss our role in the cosmic conflict.

Harvey Elder finished his medical degree in 1957. He later completed a five year fellowship at Harvard University in bacteriology and immunology. He joined the Loma Linda University School of Medicine in 1967. Dr. Elder has written numerous book chapters and scientific articles on the subject of HIV/AIDS prevention as well as the ethical human aspect of AIDS. He was awarded the Loma Linda University Alumnus of the Year in 2006. He has inspired countless medical professionals with his compassionate care for others.

Islam & the Cosmic Conflict, part 4

Details: Created on Tuesday, 29 May 2012 11:53

In this lecture, Jerald Whitehouse will conclude the mini-series on Islam and the Cosmic Conflict. Many of us feel that Jerald's talks have only been a beginning, a preliminary exploration. We will think of ways to do a more in-depth exploration of the topic at a later point. Read Islam & the Cosmic Conflict, part 4, a background article I have written on the biblical basis for Jerald's approach, the sketch of which I learned from the late Robert Darnell.

Islam & the Cosmic Conflict, part 3

Details: Created on Wednesday, 23 May 2012 11:53

In this lecture, Jerald Whitehouse describes the "Christendom Shift" in relating to the world in the years since the early church. "They [the crusades] caused Muslims great offence and inflicted on them profound and lasting psychological scars...Those who support the present 'demonisation' of Islam in the Western media would thus do well to bear in mind this history of psychological damage and religious affront. Many Muslims today still remember with pain - centuries later though it may be - what was done in the name of the Cross." Hillenbrand, "The Crusades, Islamic Perspectives"

Islam & the Cosmic Conflict, part 2

Details: Created on Tuesday, 08 May 2012 11:53

Jerald Whitehouse continues the guided tour on the topic Islam and the Cosmic Conflict. The questions this time: Who are we? Who are they? The notion of being the chosen people sometimes takes a beating in the Bible. Amos is one prophet who suggested a radical idea of who is and who is not included in God's redemptive purpose. "Are you not like the Ethiopians to me, O people of Israel? says the LORD. Did I not bring Israel up from the land of Egypt, and the Philistines from Caphtor and the Arameans from Kir?" (Amos 9:7) Were the Philistines also among the chosen?

Islam & the Cosmic Conflict, part 1

Details: Created on Wednesday, 02 May 2012 11:53

Dr. Sigve Tonstad recently introduced Jerald Whitehouse and his life-long ministry in the Muslim world. We have been personally blessed to hear this dramatically different approach toward other faith communities. This is the first of Jerald's lectures for our Cosmic Conflict Laboratory, which is held on the campus of Loma Linda University. The title is "Mission as Cargo, Communication or Transformation? What are we really about?"

Charles Dickens and the City of God

Details: Created on Tuesday, 17 April 2012 11:53

In this lecture, Melissa Brotton, professor of English at La Sierra University, will discuss the parallels in the Gospel of John and Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities [YouTube video, book 11]. Although one might assume the two cities Dickens writes about are London and Paris, perhaps there is a deeper meaning along these lines:

"Accordingly, two cities have been formed by two loves: the earthly by the love of self, even to the contempt of God; the heavenly by the love of God, even to the contempt of self. The former, in a word, glorifies in itself, the latter in the Lord. For the one seeks glory from men; but the greatest glory of the other is God, the witness of conscience. (Augustine, City of God, Book XIV.38).

Conversations about Job

Details: Created on Friday, 16 March 2012 11:53

Attorney's David Werner and Richard Reed have thought a lot about the book of Job. Richard is also a playwright and wrote a play about Job that opens with a heavenly chess match between God and Satan.

In this conversation, David and Richard discuss some of the major questions from the book of Job: What was the point of it all? Did Job let God down? Was God offended by Job's complaints? Whose side was Elihu on? Why did God appear to scold Job in the end of the story? What did Job say of God that was right?

The Two Kingdoms in the Cosmic Conflict

Details: Created on Friday, 09 March 2012 11:53

There are two opposing kingdoms in the Cosmic Conflict. In the book of Revelation, God's Kingdom is exemplified by the "violently slaughtered Lamb" while the image of Satan's kingdom is a ferocious and devouring Dragon. In this lecture, Dorothee Cole will discuss the contrast between the two kingdoms and showed these two YouTube videos: Gandhi's Philosophy | Greg Boyd: Power Under and Power Over

Cosmic Conflict in the Old Testament?

Details: Created on Monday, 27 February 2012 11:53

The Cosmic Conflict theme crescendoes throughout the Bible. While the Old Testament has only three direct references to Satan, the New Testament is rich with details about the Adversary. This Cosmic Conflict theme in the New Testament climaxes with the last book of the Bible which tells the story of the Lamb and the Dragon. In this lecture we will consider some possible reasons for Satan's relative absence in the Old Testament. Perhaps he is there more often that we might imagine. [Note: the audience microphone was not initially turned on, which resulted in losing some of the excellent comments that were made.]

Sabbath: Hour of Victory in the Cosmic Conflict

Details: Created on Tuesday, 21 February 2012 11:53

This lesson concludes our study of the Sabbath in the Gospel of John. There is more to this subject in John than many of us have thought and more than I thought when we began. I am delighted and almost in a state of shock over the perspective that has opened itself to me over the past couple of weeks. What, we might ask, is the theology of the Sabbath at its core? And what, likewise, is the core theology of Sunday? This YouTube video was shown at the end of the lecture.

Sabbath and the Revealer, part 5

Details: Created on Friday, 17 February 2012 11:53

In this lecture, Sigve Tonstad continues his discussion of the Sabbath in the Gospel of John. Does the rest of God in the Torah and the work of Jesus in John expose a conflict in the very heart of the Sabbath? Could the rest of God in the Torah and the work of Jesus in John signify something other than a contradition? Does Jesus "work" on the Sabbath abrogate the Sabbath or does Jesus rather reveal a deeper meaning of the Sabbath?

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