Biblical Cosmos (Part 1) - Introduction

This article begins a series of blog entries which explore the Biblical view of the universe.

Some of the questions to be addressed include:

• What are the primary components God created in the universe? By components I mean realms, beings, important things/places.  Visible and invisible.
• What Biblical names and roles are associated with each component?
• What metaphors, imagery and symbolism does God use to communicate the reality of the universe so that all people (ancient and modern) can comprehend it?  It is assumed this language transcends civilizations, cultures and empirical knowledge (pre-scientific vs. now).
• How are the various components of the universe structured and related to each other?
• Which beings/things inhabit each realm?  What movement or relocation from one realm to other realms exists?
• What components of the universe have changed or will change over time and how?
• Where do we fit in? What is our place and purpose in the cosmos?

Biblical Cosmos Diagram

A diagram of the imagery the Bible uses to describe the cosmos and what it contains.  Click to enlarge.

See the blog series "Biblical Cosmos"

Evolution of Worship Music - Acapella

Can You See the Big Picture of Salvation?

Introduction

Sometimes we get too close to our problems and fail to see the larger framework that God is working out in history.

The Judeo-Christian bible teaches us that history is moving toward a divinely appointed goal, and it helps if we step back and look at it from a big picture perspective.  This approach is like looking at the top of a puzzle box to see how the puzzle pieces fit together to form a picture.

How Great Thou Art - Acapella Arrangement

Shenandoah

I Will Rise - Chris Tomlin

Yahweh - The Hoppers

Lord Jesus I Need You

Lord Jesus, I need your salvation

To rescue me from my sins.

Lamb of God take away my transgressions

Please cleanse me and wash me again.

Lord Jesus, I need a physician

Who knows how to heal broken bones.

Disappointments and failures compounded

Have wounded and taken their toll.

Lord Jesus, I need strength to press on

Weak knees are collapsed, arms hang low.

Help me rise once again to the battle

To live holy, to conquer my foes.

Lord Jesus, I need rain from heaven

Flow over the withering vine.

Restore and renew deep within me

Let my voice sing again songs of Zion.

Lord Jesus, I need your direction

To show me the way I should go.

Time is short, and I want to be faithful

You're the shepherd, your voice help me follow.

Lord Jesus, I need you above all

Who else can compare, there is none.

Please finish in me what you started

Stay close by me 'til my work is done.

Ed Taylor, October 2012

Call unto Me and I will answer thee

God Who made heaven, earth and sea,

What can He not do for thee?

When He speaks, the work is done,

Trust Him then, beloved one.

God will answer though the sea

Roars and rages, making thee

Only see the billow’s height;

God will speak His word of might.

God will answer when to thee,

Not a possibility

Of deliverance seems near;

It is then, He will appear.

God will answer when you pray;

Yea, though mountains block thy way,

At His word, a way will be

E’en through mountains, made for thee.

God Who still divides the sea,

Willingly will work for thee;

God, before whom mountains fall,

Promises to hear thy call.

(Jeremiah 33:2-3)

A poem by Margaret E. Barber (1866 - 1930)
British missionary who worked in China