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It seems nearly every month there is a headline of the failure of a celebrity Christian leader or ministry. There is much talk about the need for better "protocols of leadership accountability." That conversation fails to address the fundamental problem: an erroneous belief system concerning the nature of spiritual authority in so-called "professional ministry." A new coat of paint on a broken-down home can resemble responsible initiative--unless you have ignored the termite infestation. That is the situation in the Body of Christ today. So much is just window-dressing. Revised managerial protocols of accountability that do not understand the scope and demands of the difference changes brought about in the New Creation (the New Covenant) will remedy nothing. Proof-texting Moses or David means nothing. They are not our example. Jesus, crucified and resurrected is.
In this episode, I join three friends of mine in dialogue on this issue from a New Covenant, grace-based, and love- based perspective. We believe this could help many--especially those from independent, Pentecostal, Charismatic, or so-called "Apostolic and Prophetic" church backgrounds.
This book examines different authority teachings and practices in the body of Christ, particularly those common in the New Apostolic Reformation Movement. "Leadership" teachings regarding government, ruling, honor, authority, loyalty, sonship, submission, "covering," "a culture of honor," etc. are frequently heard in the days in which we live. Many who simply ask an honest question of leadership are often accused of "having a problem with authority" or "you are just wounded" or being of a "Jezebel spirit." This book examines these themes for biblical accuracy from a new covenant and Christ-centered perspective. It provides illumination and solutions for healthy relationships in a new covenant community of grace. For more free resources and articles:
https://stevecrosby.org
https://stevecrosby.org/spiritual-abuse/spiritual-abuse-recovery
https://stevecrosby.org/apostolic-2/a-culture-of-honor
https://stevecrosby.org/leadership/leadership-survey
https://stevecrosby.org/body-life/is-it-leadership-or-control
Eleven, thirty-minute video sessions covering topics like: What about submission to authority? What do we do for our children? What about praise and worship? How do we Evangelism? What about authoritative teaching? Oh, and what about money and giving? These topics and more are covered and designed to help believers navigate:
Josh Packard has cited a statistic that around the world 65,000,000 people have left, or are considering leaving, institutional expressions of Christianity. These people are sometimes identified as the “nones and dones” – they are done with church, but not necessarily done with Jesus and the Body of Christ. Much of what people have been exposed to calling itself Christianity bears no resemblance to the teachings, ethics, and life of Jesus Christ recorded for us in scripture
This short introductory video provides a synopsis of the topics covered in this course. This course is presented at an introductory (undergraduate) level. For those who desire deeper and more detailed study a recommended reading list is including in the course materials.
. . . and much more in 6 hours of instruction.
It has been my experience (within Protestantism) that for many the Eucharist is a meaningless ritual. It is often done in a perfunctory way out of sheer obedience, if at all. Teaching, if there is any, can be pretty stale. Rehashing familiar views of the relevant Scriptures and debating 16th century metaphysical arguments is normal fare. Over the years when I pastored traditionally, we tried different things to bring more a meaningful experience to folks. There were occasionally moments of wonder, but generally it was a wholly dissatisfying experience. What has it been like for you? What if there is more to it than many of us have been taught in our traditions? This seminar is designed to provoke primarily those from Protestant backgrounds to reconsider some things regarding the Eucharist, communion, or the so-called “Lord’s Supper.” The sessions include:
Session One: Jesus the Authentic Human
Session Two: The Logos
Session Three: In Adam, In Christ - Part One
Session Four: In Adam, In Christ - Part Two
Session Five: Our Union
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If you are interested in some free audio downloads, free articles, blogs and other material, go to www.stevecrosby.org and my facebook page.
I partner with my good friend Bryon Wiebold and do a tri-weeklly podcast called "Bros in a Basement". The facebook page is available here and if you would like to subscribe you can do so here.
The idea that our bodies can be physically healed through the exercise of spiritual gifts is controversial within the church. Some believe that God “doesn’t do miracles any more,” as the so-called sign-gifts are believed to have ceased in the apostolic era. Others, particularly the televangelists, manipulate people through shameful practices rooted in the love of money and fame. Hype abounds. In this book, Dr. Stephen Crosby presents a biblical, Christ-centered, reasonable, and redemptive alternative to either extreme. Understanding the Scripture’s Semitic (non-Western) worldview of community, disease, sickness, and health, is key to the effective appropriation of physical healing. Dr. Crosby’s incisive and candid analysis cuts through the popular culture hype, and presents a compassionate God who is, and will always be, our Healer.
This audio series redefines many of the common terms used in Protestant Evangelicalism regarding the Gospel and Gospel basics, along Semitic/Jewish worldview and understanding. It is common for Westerners to approach the Gospel judicially like criminals and lawyers. This series presents and alternative way of understanding the gospel: relationally and covenantally. How we define humanity's problem will determine how we define God's cure.
The New Covenant is radically different than the old, and those differences are often not well understood. Some would have us believe that Jesus came just to make some minor adjustments in understanding of the Old Covenant, and that the New Covenant is just a renewal of the Old Covenant with Israel. Others think that any ethics that Jesus taught prior to Pentecost do not apply to believers today. This books examines the implications of "Jesus is Lord" on the foundation of the New
Covenant. This book examines the implications of "Jesus is Lord" upon the church, Second Temple Judaism, Rome/Caesar, the Scriptures, Paul and Torah, and so-called Jewish Roots or Jewish Restorationism Movement that is widespread in the church today. This is written at an intermediate reading level. It is not high scholastic, but neither is it a light devotional read. Jesus is Lord had profound and radical implications on the culture, society, theology and politics of the day in which Christ and the apostles lived. If we do not understand how radical it was in their day, it is unlikely we will understand its radical implications on us today.
Why did Jesus use His spit in the mud to heal a blind man? Why did Jesus withhold His true intentions to His family about going up to the feast in John 7? Why did Jesus offensively insult people on a regular basis? Why does the scripture say that God “hated” Esau? These are but a few examples of the many things in the Gospels and the New Testament that are difficult, if not impossible, for us to understand if we do not understand the cultural context and values at the time of Christ. In this seminar we will look at cultural rules governing social interactions, first-century commerce, economics, politics, Semitic cosmology, beliefs about healing, health and miracles, and much more.
If we do not understand the differences in culture, conditions, and worldview assumptions between ourselves and first century Jews living in a Greek culture under Roman law, we will inevitably project our own worldview onto the scriptures. In so doing, we will have no chance of accurately understanding what was written, misinterpret the scriptures, and misrepresent Christ to ourselves and others. Following Jesus as disciple is so simple, a six-year old can do it. Understanding the scriptures–letters and books written to a different people, in different time, with a different culture, with different values, and a different language– is not as simple.
Jesus said: "If you have seen me, you have seen the Father." The apostle presented Jesus as the exact image of the invisible God. If you are wondering what God is like, look at Jesus, particularly His Cross and resurrection. In this first episode, Brad Jersak, Michael Hardin, Bryon Wiebold, Mary Crews, Michael Rose, Mark Drake, Darrin Hufford, and myself talk about the importance of having a correct God image--that being Jesus as the Exact Representation of God as the foundation of new creation living.
Is the essence of the Gospel, the good news, that we are merely acquitted criminals living on parole (justified?), or are we sons and daughters who have been invited into the Trinitarian life of God? The gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the New Covenant and the Indwelling Spirit, is the end of relational alienation to a distant and emotionally remote "father." The good news is better news than we can imagine.
This 7-hour video seminar presents the New Covenant biblical foundations for a marriage relationship that is not based in patriarchy, hierarchy, and authority. And this is not just for married people! Four of the seven sessions deal with practical issues of conflict resolution in any human interpersonal relationship: marriage, job, church, work, school, etc. Some statistics indicate that the marriages of professing believers end in divorce as often, if not more so, than non-believers. Some statistics also indicate that between 70-80% of the children raised in Christian families, after they reach 21 years of age will never participate in a faith community for the rest of their lives. Something is clearly “not working.” Doubling down on biblically inaccurate authoritarian models of marriage, family, church, and interpersonal relationships is not the answer. Those models are part of the problem.
The topic of money stirs passions in the church. On the one hand you have the offensive and manipulative tithe and "seed faith" practices of televangelists and their acolytes. On the other hand you have folks who in reaction to being abused on this topic, have quit giving all together out of fear of abuse, or give in a token way from the scraps, margins, and left overs of American/western consumerism . . . that is . . not much. Is there a new covenant, Christ-centered, grace, love, and relationship-based way to understand and live in a kingdom dimension on this topic? Yes there is, and this book challenges long-standing traditional teachings on money and offers a life-giving alternative.
This booklet addresses the topic of prayer, intercession, prophetic intercession, spiritual warfare, etc., from a finished-work, grace-based and new covenant perspective. The implications of the change in covenants, and having a resurrected God-man on the throne of the universe must influence our beliefs and practices regarding intercession, or we will inadvertently find ourselves in striving, old covenant mentalities and methods in our private and corporate prayer practices. Our prayer theology and practice needs a "new covenant update."
This book lays out a grace-based and new covenant perspective regarding the function of the prophetic ministry in the New Testament era. It cuts a middle road between the unbelief and dismissal of Cessationism and the baloney, hype, and control of Charismaticdom. This is not a book about Israel and the end times, the gift of prophecy, how to prophesy, or various other “spiritual gift techniques.” This book is about relational wellness and integration AS prophetic people, WITH prophetic people, and AMONG the diversely gifted and configured body of Christ. The prophetic grace can be ministered in the earth for the glory of His Name in a way that is not occultic, not sensationalist, does not slander the Lord’s name and character, nor damage His people.
Why do we do worship the way we do? Why do we structure the typical church service around something the apostles never did? Why do we have a near mandatory forty-five minutes (or much more) of singing in many churches before the preaching? What theology underlies our practices? What did Jesus say about the manifest presence of God? What expectations do we have in our worship services and why do we have those expectations? What is the restoration of David's tent? What does it mean to worship in "spirit and truth?" This book answers these and other questions from a grace-based, new covenant perspective, and offers a "better way to worship."
Matthew 18 has suffered from careless interpretation and application over the years. This chapter is frequently used in local churches as a procedural template to resolve interpersonal offenses and “issues.” It is also commonly applied to the believer’s authority in spiritual warfare to “bind and loose” different entities: binding this and that “principality,” binding satan, binding the strong man, “binding” people to the will of God (!?) and “loosing” angels, etc. This booklet examines Matthew18 from a disciplined perspective, paying close attention to context and culture, and provides a perspective that is spiritually fresh and challenging to many widely held assumptions.
Legalism influences seemingly functional and fruitful believers like hypertension affects the body. It is a silent killer. Legal and performance based religion is the most prevalent, unrecognized, and deleterious malady affecting the individual believer and the Church universal. Its influence has perniciously leavened the church since the first century. The legitimate pursuit of spiritual maturity often leads believers to unconsciously embrace a philosophy of performance-based elitism, forgetting the biblical roots of grace. This book exposes the philosophical and methodological roots of legal, performance-based religion as well as the subtlety of its influence. Readers will be equipped to not only recognize the problem, but to avail themselves of the liberating grace of God.
Really? Another seminar on Revelation? God spare us. Normally, that’s how I would feel about this topic. The fixation on the Revelation in Evangelicalism and Fundamentalism is a manic money-making machine. However, this live-stream will be unlike anything I experienced growing up in Evangelicalism: we will not be trying to predict the future! Rather, we will endeavor to look at the Revelation through the lens of first century, Second Temple era metaphors and cosmology. What would a Mediterranean-basin, Jew/Gentile audience understand from the imagery in a letter full of Jewish apocalyptic themes?
In the debates about whether or not the Revelation should even be considered canonical, St. Augustine cast a “yes” vote as long as it was understood that the book would not be used to predict the future. I find it beyond ironic how those whose entire theology (Evangelical Fundamentalism) is based on Augustine’s doctrines, ignore their founder’s point of view on Revelation!
Also, we will not talk about the various schools of interpretation and try to convince you of one or the other. Neither will we talk about modern geopolitical Israel/Zionism, the rapture, the last days, Armageddon, the tribulation, the anti-Christ and on and on–as is so tediously common.
It’s commonly held that if believers repent enough, pray enough, fast enough, or turn away from sin enough that God is obliged to send revival based on His “promise” of 2 Chronicles 7:14. It’s alleged that the institutions of civil government will be reformed and transformed if believers will simply repent enough and turn to God. This booklet examines this familiar passage and many common revivlalistic teachings from a contextual and new covenant perspective, and comes to the conclusion that God is not withholding good things from His people. We are as “revived” as we want to be.
Being a believer in Christ is about more than going to heaven when we die. While on earth, we are called to function and represent the Lord in a way the scriptures describe as a royal priesthood. Books describes what the royal priesthood is, why there is one, and how to participate in its reality. Even though within Protestantism, the doctrine of everyone being a priest and minister has been taught doctrinally for centuries, the reality is, very few believers function in their privilege at any meaningful, practical level. This book will awaken the reader to his or her inheritance in Christ and calling to function as a living sacrifice, as priest representing God to humanity and humanity to God.
In some circles of the Body of Christ today, there is much emphasis regarding an alleged pending transfer of wealth from the unbelieving world into the hands of Christians based on Proverbs 13:22. This idea is easily manipulated by those with an agenda and without a conscience. In conjunction with this belief there is also much being said to day in regard to "marketplace ministers" being integral to the alleged transfer of wealth. This booklet examines these doctrines as well as other "Prosperity Gospel" financial issues and prosperity teachings such as the mandatory tithe to a local church, "tithing up, or to, your covering," seed-faith offerings, sowing and reaping, harvest, etc., from a strong Christ-centered, New Covenant perspective.
This is an academic critique of a doctrine called Cessationism that dominates the media and popular Christian culture of Evangelicalism in the West. It is the belief system that teaches certain gifts of the Spirit and the ministries of apostles and prophets "ceased" by divine design at the end of the first century (and other variations of that theme). This book shows that the essence of every vital doctrine of the faith is undermined by Cessationism, that it minimizes scriptures own testimony of itself, and disenfranchises believers from what is rightly theirs through the finished work of Jesus Christ, and the out-poured and indwelling Spirit. This is written at a graduate/post-graduate level and it is hoped that it could be a valuable resource to serious students of scripture, leaders, and influencers.
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