Ron Rothenberg

This video gives another preview of my forthcoming book, The Fundamental Shift in Evangelicalism. It attempts to approach the material in a more postmodern manner and to provide a different and shorter presentation than the older four video preview.

This video is the second in a three part series intended for pastors and scholars to explain valid biblical justifications both for taking and not taking the COVID-19 vaccines. I have also posted a one part video on the same topic for church members. These videos were made prior to the advent of Novavax and consequently do not take that into account. Novavax is a traditional vaccine that does not seem to have the same ethical issues as the other COVID-19 vaccines since it was made without using stem cell lines.

This video is the first in a three part series intended for pastors and scholars to explain valid biblical justifications both for taking and not taking the COVID-19 vaccines. I have also posted a one part video on the same topic for church members. These videos were made prior to the advent of Novavax and consequently do not take that into account. Novavax is a traditional vaccine that does not seem to have the same ethical issues as the other COVID-19 vaccines since it was made without using stem cell lines.

This video covers the main hermeneutic methods or systems of principles used to interpert the Bible and that stand behind one's interpretation. It also explains the worldviews that stand behind those methods. As in the other videos in this series, the main point is know the elements of inductive Bible study to grow spiritually.

This video helps views understand how interpretation and application works in an inductive Bible study. As in the other videos in this series, the main point is to know the elements of inductive Bible study to grow spiritually.

This video helps views understand the difference between inductive and deductive Bible study. However, it main focus is to teach about how to do observation in an inductive Bible study. The main point is to know the elements of inductive Bible study inorder to grow spiritually. These videos were made prior to the advent of Novavax and consequently do not take that into account. Novavax is a traditional vaccine that does not seem to have the same ethical issues as the other COVID-19 vaccines since it was made without using stem cell lines.

Several common mistakes preachers make are address and suggestions are offered for fixing them.

There has been a fundamental shift in evangelicalism from orthodox Christian doctrine to the unholy trinity of Marxism, multiculturalism, and genderism. This shift entails a complete change in beliefs, practices, and worldview and has impacted most of evangelicalism from the ivory tower through the pulpit and into the pews. Consequently, the large majority of evangelicals are no longer evangelical, much less Christian. It is imperative for the survival of the evangelical church to recognize, reject, and replace the counterfeit unholy trinity with the Christian doctrines of charity, reconciliation, and the creation order. In order to do so, it is important for evangelicals to: (1) recognize what this shift is; (2) recognize how this shift occurred; (3) reject the shift because it is bad; and (4) and replace the unholy trinity with Christian doctrine.

There has been a fundamental shift in evangelicalism from orthodox Christian doctrine to the unholy trinity of Marxism, multiculturalism, and genderism. This shift entails a complete change in beliefs, practices, and worldview and has impacted most of evangelicalism from the ivory tower through the pulpit and into the pews. Consequently, the large majority of evangelicals are no longer evangelical, much less Christian. It is imperative for the survival of the evangelical church to recognize, reject, and replace the counterfeit unholy trinity with the Christian doctrines of charity, reconciliation, and the creation order. In order to do so, it is important for evangelicals to: (1) recognize what this shift is; (2) recognize how this shift occurred; (3) reject the shift because it is bad; and (4) and replace the unholy trinity with Christian doctrine.

There has been a fundamental shift in evangelicalism from orthodox Christian doctrine to the unholy trinity of Marxism, multiculturalism, and genderism. This shift entails a complete change in beliefs, practices, and worldview and has impacted most of evangelicalism from the ivory tower through the pulpit and into the pews. Consequently, the large majority of evangelicals are no longer evangelical, much less Christian. It is imperative for the survival of the evangelical church to recognize, reject, and replace the counterfeit unholy trinity with the Christian doctrines of charity, reconciliation, and the creation order. In order to do so, it is important for evangelicals to: (1) recognize what this shift is; (2) recognize how this shift occurred; (3) reject the shift because it is bad; and (4) and replace the unholy trinity with Christian doctrine.

There has been a fundamental shift in evangelicalism from orthodox Christian doctrine to the unholy trinity of Marxism, multiculturalism, and genderism. This shift entails a complete change in beliefs, practices, and worldview and has impacted most of evangelicalism from the ivory tower through the pulpit and into the pews. Consequently, the large majority of evangelicals are no longer evangelical, much less Christian. It is imperative for the survival of the evangelical church to recognize, reject, and replace the counterfeit unholy trinity with the Christian doctrines of charity, reconciliation, and the creation order. In order to do so, it is important for evangelicals to: (1) recognize what this shift is; (2) recognize how this shift occurred; (3) reject the shift because it is bad; and (4) and replace the unholy trinity with Christian doctrine.

There has been a fundamental shift in evangelicalism from orthodox Christian doctrine to the unholy trinity of Marxism, multiculturalism, and genderism. This shift entails a complete change in beliefs, practices, and worldview and has impacted most of evangelicalism from the ivory tower through the pulpit and into the pews. Consequently, the large majority of evangelicals are no longer evangelical, much less Christian. It is imperative for the survival of the evangelical church to recognize, reject, and replace the counterfeit unholy trinity with the Christian doctrines of charity, reconciliation, and the creation order. In order to do so, it is important for evangelicals to: (1) recognize what this shift is; (2) recognize how this shift occurred; (3) reject the shift because it is bad; and (4) and replace the unholy trinity with Christian doctrine.

This is the third and final lecture in a three-part series giving a preview of my forthcoming book, The Necessity of Heresy. It picks up the survey of the definitions of and relationship between orthodoxy and heresy through the three worldviews by covering the modern and postmodern periods. See the description of the first video for more information.

This presentation is the introduction to a three-part series giving a preview of my forthcoming book, The Necessity of Heresy, which itself is the introductory volume to a three-part series also including The Fundamental Shift in Evangelicalism and The Unraveling of the Reformation. This initial preview video introduces the contemporary situation in evangelicalism in which much of the evangelical church is apostate due to a fundamental shift in the very nature of evangelicalism from orthodoxy to heresy. The major theological-philosophical reason for the shift is abandonment of the biblical premodern worldview in favor of the antibiblical modern and postmodern worldviews. Since the postmodern worldview results in a hermeneutic that is fundamentally unable to interpret Scripture and postmoderns are revising Christian doctrine into positions contradictory to the Bible and the history of interpretation, then orthodoxy and heresy are necessary to maintain salvation and prevent the redefinition of Christianity out of existence. The Necessity of Heresy is a two-part book and part 1 surveys the definitions of and relationship between orthodoxy and heresy through the three worldviews of premodernity, modernity, and postmodernity. This first lecture previews the introduction and the first part of the survey of premodernity by summarizing the biblical evidence regarding the definitions of and relationship between orthodoxy and heresy in premodernity.

The proposition of this sermon is to believe in the resurrection for meaning, morality, hope, and salvation. As in the other sermons in this series, the proposition is supported by examining the five textual features that define the textual units of the seven miracle narratives in John: the time marker (section divider), festival, saying(s), discourse, and prologue theme(s). These textual features interpret the miraculous sign of the literal and physical resurrection of Lazarus as a prophetic parabolic act that symbolizes Jesus’ death and resurrection as a penal substitutionary sacrifice that saves believers from their sin. The meaning of the sign is that people should believe in the resurrection to be saved. The implications of the sign are that belief in the resurrection provides meaning for life (1 Cor. 15:29–32), moral motivation to live ethically/righteously (1 Cor. 15:29, 33–34), and hope to endure the sufferings of this life (1 Cor. 15:12–19).

This is a summary-overview and promotional video for my book, Solving the Immigrant Church Crisis. The particular presentation in this video was delivered at a specific local church. Consequently, some of the content is tailored to that church. However, and like my book, the information in the video is intended to be relevant and applicable to immigrant churches regardless of their country of origin. The particular church at which this presentation was delivered was a 50-year-old Taiwanese church with three language speaking congregations: Taiwanese, Mandarin, and English. The video explains how for over 160 years of Chinese Church History in America and over 240 years of U.S. Immigrant Church History, immigrant churches of all ethnic backgrounds have been repeating the same mistakes by implementing the same unbiblical and historically failed models for running an immigrant church. In response to this situation, this lecture argues for the thesis that all immigrant churches should solve the immigrant church crisis by practicing parallel ministry, based on Acts 6:1–7. This thesis is elaborated in four points: (1) defining the crisis; (2) explaining why all past approaches have failed; (3) defining parallel ministry from Acts 6:1–7; and (4) providing applications specific to HSB.

The proposition of this sermon is to rely on Christ’s light to uncover our blind spots. As in the other sermons in this series, the proposition is supported by examining the five textual features that define the textual units of the seven miracle narratives in John: the time marker (section divider), festival, saying(s), discourse, and prologue theme(s). These textual features interpret the miraculous sign of the literal and physical restoration of sight to a man born blind as a prophetic parabolic act that symbolizes Jesus’ mission to restore the spiritual perception of people to see that he is the divine messiah who saves them from their sin. The implication of the symbolic meaning of the sign is that in the ongoing process of progressive sanctification Jesus continues to restore the believer’s limited sight (1 Cor 12:12) by uncovering blind spots in their lives (Lev. 4:13–14; Psalm 19:12–13; 139:23–24). The application section argues that rather than the culturally prominent categories of race, gender, class, and the ecological movement, that biblically honesty, purity, humility, and salvation are the more important and prior issues for which believers should examine themselves for blind spots.

The proposition of this sermon is to see Jesus for who he is to believe so that his forgiveness results in repentance. The proposition is supported by examining the time markers, discourses, festival, sayings, and prologue themes in the passage. The background of the festival of Tabernacles or the Feast of Booths in the OT, Mishnah, and Talmud demonstrates that Jesus’ sayings in the discourses use the imagery of the Tabernacles rituals to claim messianic prophecy is fulfilled in him as the Messiah who possesses the divine identity and forgiveness of sins (7:38; 8:12). The repetition of the theme of judgment in the discourses shows that the Jews were unable to recognize Jesus as the Messiah due to their faulty judgments based in part on preconceptions about the Christ from popular level Jewish Messianism. Several evidences are offered that indicate the account of the “Woman Caught in Adultery” has the “literary function” of the sign by pointing to Jesus’ divine identity as the authoritative divine messianic judge who forgives sins and calls to repentance. The sign of the adulterous woman: challenges unbelievers to examine their preconceptions about Christianity and both assures believers of forgiveness and convicts them to repent.

The proposition of this sermon is to find assurance in hardships by remembering we are chosen by God. The proposition is supported by explaining that the two signs point to Jesus as the divine messiah who is the prophet predicted by Moses (Deut. 18:15), but who is greater than Moses. Just as Moses gave Israel manna from heaven, so Jesus is the bread of life, and just as Moses parted the waters, Jesus walks on them. Further, the sermon argues that the feeding and walking on water signs function together as the fourth sign. In the Fourth Discourse, “The Bread of Life Discourse,” Jesus’ symbolism in explaining how the sign points to him as the divine messiah is offensive to both his opponents and his disciples. Consequently, some of his disciples desert him. Jesus responds to their desertion by assuring his remaining disciples that they will endure the hardship because he has chosen them. Remembering that we are chosen by God provides an assurance that results in comfort, endurance, and hope in times of hardship.

This message is an introduction to a series on the “Seven Signs in John.” The main point or proposition of this message is to rely on Christ to recreate us so that he recreates others through us. The message proceeds by introducing five principles of interpretation for the Gospel of John that are used throughout the series to understand the seven signs. The hermeneutic is applied to the first sign narrative in John 2:1–4:42 in order to demonstrate the main point. This proposition is supported by demonstrating that the sign of the transformation of the water into wine, the temple cleansing passage, and the dialogue with Nicodemus are all examples of Jesus recreating Judaism. The Samaritan woman is an example of Jesus recreating someone outside of Judaism and then using them to recreate others. An application section challenges hearers to consider how God is recreating them and how he is/wants to use them to recreate others in various aspects of their lives.

This lecture is designed to help churches that are currently in the process of seeking a new pastor by providing criteria for evaluating the preaching of candidates. It should also be helpful for those desiring to improve their preaching and teaching. Since one of a pastor’s main responsibilities is preaching (Eph. 4:11–13; 1 Tim. 5:17) and since most of the congregation only gets to choose their pastor primarily based on hearing 2–3 sermons, then it is important to recognize good preaching to identify a good pastor. The evaluative criteria in this video will not only help the congregation at large, but will also help the search committee members to assess candidates and to develop interview questions related to preaching. Knowing the difference between a sermon, a speech, and a seminary lecture is the first step toward recognizing good preaching. The thesis of the lecture is that recognizing good preaching will help one to identify a good pastor. The presentation develops the thesis by dividing preaching into two main steps: preparation and presentation. It then covers the homiletic areas of sermon preparation including the structure, content, and delivery of sermons from the perspective of evaluating a candidate’s ability to preach and suitability for a particular church. It closes by considering how the preparation area of the candidate’s character (prayer and virtuous life, 1 Tim. 4:16) is reflected in the following sermon elements: the opening and closing prayer, the explanation of the passage (observation and interpretation), illustration, and application.

There is a vast array of moral issues surrounding the COVID–19 vaccine and its distribution by the government involving such concerns as the justness of government mandates, the safety, effectiveness, and even the necessity of the vaccine, and its connection to abortion. The very nature and diversity of these concerns demonstrates that scientifically minded and sincere Christians who are not antivaxxer fanatics have legitimate worries about the vaccine. Among these objections to the vaccine, the most important for Christians is the vaccine’s connection to abortion. At this point in the course of the pandemic, the most important concern is not whether one should take or not take the vaccine, most believers in western countries probably already have, but rather the vaccine’s connection to abortion is a reminder to engage in the ongoing fight to change the laws and policies governing the biotech and pharmaceutical industry’s use of abortion byproducts in the manufacture of consumer goods. Unfortunately, Christian responses to the vaccine have been largely rational rather than biblical and based on deficient modern and postmodern ethics and consequently unsatisfying. In response, the main point of this lecture is to use biblical-premodern character ethics for a Christian response to the vaccine. This thesis is developed in four points. First, key verses are reviewed reminding believers of the biblical basis for the immorality of abortion and the use of its byproducts. Second, the vaccine’s relationship to abortion and its byproducts are defined. Third, two popular biblical justifications respectively for taking and not taking the vaccine are evaluated and rejected and a more satisfactory character ethics response for both positions is offered. Finally, practical applications for how the believer and the church may work to change the laws and policies governing the biotech and pharmaceutical industry’s use of abortion byproducts in the manufacture of consumer goods are presented. This video was made prior to the advent of Novavax and consequently does not take that into account. Novavax is a traditional vaccine that does not seem to have the same ethical issues as the other COVID-19 vaccines since it was made without using stem cell lines.