Scriptural Pursuit is a weekly radio program produced by the Religion Department and broadcast on the University station, WAUS, that discusses the Adult Sabbath School Lesson for the week.
The audio files have been posted on a WordPress site since 2011. For some, Vimeo video recordings are also available. At the beginning of the pandemic, 2020, the host began posting a video recording of the program on YouTube.
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Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles
Glenn Russell, Andrew Tompkins, and Ranko Stefanovic
This quarter’s Bible study guide invites us to journey with the apostle Paul as he pleads with the Galatians to remain true to Jesus. At the same time, it also gives us a chance to reflect on our own understanding of the gospel—the Good News of how Jesus saves us from our sins. It’s a sincere hope that, over the course of this series, God’s Spirit will spark a spiritual revival in our hearts as we rediscover what God has done for us in Christ. Scriptural Pursuit discussion will focus on Galatians, a letter the Apostle Paul wrote to the Church in Galatia.
The story of Paul is most of all a story of grace. God showed grace to him when he wasn’t even looking for it and didn’t feel the need of it. And those whom Saul, later known as Paul, persecuted, or might have persecuted, learned how one can genuinely be changed by that grace and how to show grace themselves. Saul’s encounter with the risen Jesus on the Damascus road was the defining moment in his life and in the history of the early church. God changed the one-time persecutor of the church and made him His chosen apostle to bring the gospel to the Gentile world. Saul became known as Paul, the Apostle.
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In Spirit and in Truth
Glenn Russell, Joseph Kidder, and Linda Mack
In His dialogue with the Samaritan woman at the well, Jesus enunciated basic but key principles of worship (John 4). Jesus is calling for a balanced form of worship: a worship that comes from the heart, that is sincere and deeply felt, that comes from the love and the fear of God. By His example, Christ reinforced the need for God’s supremacy in our regard and service and the importance of worshiping in spirit and truth.
This week’s Scriptural Pursuit will explore themes of worship and praise as revealed in the ministry of the incarnate Christ, the Creator who took upon Himself the form and the flesh of the created.
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Conformity, Compromise, and Crisis in Worship
Glenn Russell, Tammie Lindsey, and Roy Gane
Some seem to think that the more sounds they make, the louder the music, the more emotional excitement generated, the better the worship service. Yet, that is not what worship is about. Worship, however, must lead a worshiper to God and facilitate fellowship among the worshipers.
The book of Revelation proclaims to the last generation a message of warning, a call to obedience, and a call to worship the Creator God. As with Elijah on Carmel, people will in a very dramatic way have to make the most important choice of their lives, a choice that is filled with truly eternal consequences. The good news is that, even before these final events unfold, we can make daily choices that will greatly prepare us to be on the Lord’s side when the climactic battle between good and evil unfolds among the nations. Hopefully, this Scriptural Pursuit discussion will help you discern the right way to worship the Creator God, the Ruler of the universe.
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Worship in the Psalms
Glenn Russell, David Williams, and Matthew Shallenberger
Worship, an experience common to most human beings, is the Scriptural Pursuit discussion topic for July, August and September 2011. We worship God, not ourselves; hence, worship must be about Him, about giving glory to Him, and not about music, culture, or worship styles. Worship should be permeated by a sense of reverence and awe for our God, an attitude that will give us the humility and surrender so needed for true worship. Worship affords an opportunity to recognize who God is and to realize who you are in relationship to God. These and many other Biblical concepts of worship will be discussed in a panel moderated by Glenn Russell.
This week we will look at the Psalms and some of the themes found in them and how these themes relate to the question of worship and what it means for us today. The Psalms give voice to the heart cries of seekers after God in a living dialogue of pleas, assurance, blessing, praise, and celebration. The Book of Psalms has been cherished as the invaluable jewel in the Hebrew Bible by seekers after God in all ages. Hopefully, this discussion will help you to understand and appreciate the worship themes in the Psalms.
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Worship and Song and Praise
Glenn Russell, David Williams, and John T. Baldwin
Worship, an experience common to most human beings, is the Scriptural Pursuit discussion topic for July, August and September 2011. We worship God, not ourselves; hence, worship must be about Him, about giving glory to Him, and not about music, culture, or worship styles. Worship should be permeated by a sense of reverence and awe for our God, an attitude that will give us the humility and surrender so needed for true worship. Worship affords an opportunity to recognize who God is and to realize who you are in relationship to God. These and many other Biblical concepts of worship will be discussed in a panel moderated by Glenn Russell.
There is no question that song and music and praise are part of our worship experience. As creatures made in God’s image, we share a love and an appreciation for music, as do other intelligent beings. It is hard to imagine a culture that does not use music in some way or another, for some purpose or another. Love and appreciation of music are woven into the very fabric of our human existence; God surely made us that way.
Music has the power to touch us and move us that other forms of communication do not seem to have. At its purest and finest, music seems to lift us into the very presence of the Lord. Who has not experienced, at some point, the power of music to bring us closer to our Maker?
Music in our worship services should have a balance of spiritual, intellectual, and emotional elements. The lyrics, in harmony with the music itself, should uplift us, elevate our thoughts, and make us long more for the Lord who has done so much for us. Music that can bring us to the foot of the cross, that can help us to realize what we have been given in Christ, is the kind we need for our worship. What is important for worship music is that it point us to the noblest and the best, which is the Lord.
This week’s Scriptural Pursuit discussion will feature men and women who have contributed powerful music experience to enhance Christian worship. Hopefully, this discussion will help shape your worship music experience.
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Happy Are You, O Israel!
Glenn Russell and Andrew Tompkins
Worship, an experience common to most human beings, is the Scriptural Pursuit discussion topic for July, August and September 2011. We worship God, not ourselves; hence, worship must be about Him, about giving glory to Him, and not about music, culture, or worship styles. Worship should be permeated by a sense of reverence and awe for our God, an attitude that will give us the humility and surrender so needed for true worship. Worship affords an opportunity to recognize who God is and to realize who you are in relationship to God. These and many other Biblical concepts of worship will be discussed in a panel moderated by Glenn Russell.
Over the previous weeks we’ve been exploring the meaning of true worship, worship that proceeds from a heart truly dedicated to God and from the desire to learn and do His will. Worship, in the Bible, is serious business. It is not a matter of personal taste, nor is it a matter of doing one’s own thing or following one’s own proclivities. There is always the danger of falling into dead rituals and traditions that become ends in themselves instead of the means to an end—and that end is true worship of the Lord in a way that changes our lives and brings us into conformity with His will and character.
When they followed God’s explicit directions in worship, Israel was rewarded with His presence. Those who substituted their own ways and means for what God required met with grave consequences. This week’s Scriptural Pursuit discussion centers around the lessons we can and should learn from the Israel’s worship experience.
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Rejoicing Before the Lord: The Sanctuary and Worship
Glenn Russell, Tammie Lindsey, and Roy Gane
Worship, an experience common to most human beings, is the Scriptural Pursuit discussion topic for July, August and September 2011. We worship God, not ourselves; hence, worship must be about Him, about giving glory to Him, and not about music, culture, or worship styles. Worship should be permeated by a sense of reverence and awe for our God, an attitude that will give us the humility and surrender so needed for true worship. Worship affords an opportunity to recognize who God is and to realize who you are in relationship to God. These and many other Biblical concepts of worship will be discussed in a panel moderated by Glenn Russell.
Although the term sanctuary has taken on various meanings today, it originated from the context of worship. At the beginning of human history, Adam and Eve worshipped God in an open sanctuary. Following their freedom, the people group called the Israelites, commissioned by God Himself constructed a Sanctuary as a temporary place of worship.
In this week’s Scriptural Pursuit, the discussion will center on the following questions:
- How did the sanctuary provide a place where one could experience a saving relationship with God?
- How did the sanctuary illustrate doctrines regarding God’s holy and glorious character and expectations regarding how He was to be worshiped?
- How did it provide for opportunities to celebrate God’s blessings?
- How did the sanctuary provide opportunity for communication and relationship?
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The Sabbath and Worship
Glenn Russell, Ester Edouard, and Tom Shepherd Ph.D
Worship, an experience common to most human beings, is the Scriptural Pursuit discussion topic for July, August and September 2011. We worship God, not ourselves; hence, worship must be about Him, about giving glory to Him, and not about music, culture, or worship styles. Worship should be permeated by a sense of reverence and awe for our God, an attitude that will give us the humility and surrender so needed for true worship. Worship affords an opportunity to recognize who God is and to realize who you are in relationship to God. These and many other Biblical concepts of worship will be discussed in a panel moderated by Glenn Russell.
This week’s lesson, The Sabbath and Worship, will take a look at how and why the Sabbath commandment and Creation and Redemption are at the foundation of all biblical truth, and they are so important that we have been ordered to keep the Sabbath as a reminder of these truths. From Eden, where the seventh day was first set aside, up until now, there have been people who have worshiped the Lord through keeping the seventh-day Sabbath holy.
God in His great wisdom has given us the Sabbath as a day set aside for worship, a day to spend in honor and praise of Him. Watch the discussion for more details relevant to your life today.
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Worship and the Exodus: Understanding Who God Is
Melchizedek Ponniah, Lilianne Douhkan, and Jacques Doukhan
Worship, an experience common to most human beings, is the Scriptural Pursuit discussion topic for July, August and September 2011. We worship God, not ourselves; hence, worship must be about Him, about giving glory to Him, and not about music, culture, or worship styles. Worship should be permeated by a sense of reverence and awe for our God, an attitude that will give us the humility and surrender so needed for true worship. Worship affords an opportunity to recognize who God is and to realize who you are in relationship to God. These and many other Biblical concepts of worship will be discussed in a panel moderated by Glenn Russell.
This week’s Scriptural Pursuit will look at early accounts of the people group called children of Israel and how their encounters with the Lord reveal to us more about the nature and the character of the God we profess to serve and worship. After all, what sense does it make to worship what we do not know?
Having been slaves for nearly four hundred years, their dwarfed intellect couldn’t fathom the invisible God compared to the Egyptian pantheon represented by various idols. God revealed Himself in various ways to communicate His Being and character to His people. In Egypt the people had obeyed their masters out of fear; now they would learn that true worship flows from a heart filled with love and gratitude to the One who alone has power to deliver and save.
True worship is characterized by the awareness and acknowledgment of the infinite greatness of God and our aspiration to know Him better. The true worshiper will refuse to accept substitutes for God, also known as idols.
How do we express our devotion in an intimate, yet respectful, manner?
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Worship in Genesis: Two Classes of Worshipers
Melchizedek Ponniah, Lilianne Doukhan, and Jacques Doukhan
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Clothed in Christ
Glenn Russell, Jenner Becerra, and Brant Berglin
Lesson 13 for June 18-24
This quarter’s discussions focus on biblical symbolism of a certain kind: clothing imagery. We will consider the garments that people in the Bible wore and what that clothing really meant, what truths it symbolized, what great realities it pointed to, and what lessons we can learn from it. From the fanciful adornment of Lucifer in heaven to the filthy rags of our own righteousness, from the coats of animal skins for Adam and Eve in Eden to the “garments of splendor” mentioned in Isaiah, the Bible uses clothing and clothing imagery to portray truths about sin, pride, righteousness, salvation, justification, resurrection, and eternal life in Christ.
For further information, comments or questions, please write to melponniah@gmail.com
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More Clothing Imagery
Glenn Russell, Jamie Ricketts, and Robert Johnston
Lesson 12 for June 11-17
This quarter’s discussions focus on biblical symbolism of a certain kind: clothing imagery. We will consider the garments that people in the Bible wore and what that clothing really meant, what truths it symbolized, what great realities it pointed to, and what lessons we can learn from it. From the fanciful adornment of Lucifer in heaven to the filthy rags of our own righteousness, from the coats of animal skins for Adam and Eve in Eden to the “garments of splendor” mentioned in Isaiah, the Bible uses clothing and clothing imagery to portray truths about sin, pride, righteousness, salvation, justification, resurrection, and eternal life in Christ.
This week’s discussion will look at the question of clothing, all in the context of Jesus. We’ll explore the woman who believed, rightly so, that all she had to do was touch His clothes, and she would be healed. Then there’s Jesus, laying aside His garment in order to wash the feet of His disciples. Next we’ll look at the high priest who, standing before the Lord, rent his own garments in an act that sealed the haughty ruler’s doom. Then there’s Jesus in the garments of mockery, put on Him by the Roman soldiers. And, finally, we’ll look at the soldiers casting lots for Christ’s garment, thus fulfilling an ancient prophecy.
Christ, as a man, wore clothing. Lack of clothing indicated a lower station, or humiliation, to which He submitted on our behalf. Although He was our Creator and King of the universe, He humbly bore the mocking and the insults of the high priest and the pagan soldiers.
For further information, comments or questions, please write to melponniah@gmail.com
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The Wedding Garment
Glenn Russell, Owen Ellis, and Michael Jones
Lesson 11 for June 4-10
For further information, comments or questions, please write to melponniah@gmail.com
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The Prodigal's New Clothes
Glenn Russell, Jamie Ricketts, and John Baxter
Lesson 10 for May 28-June 3
For further information, comments or questions, please write to melponniah@gmail.com
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A Brand Plucked From the Fire
Glenn Russell, Eike Mueller, and Sunimal Kulasekere
Lesson 9 for May 21-27
This quarter’s discussions focus on biblical symbolism of a certain kind: clothing imagery. We will consider the garments that people in the Bible wore and what that clothing really meant, what truths it symbolized, what great realities it pointed to, and what lessons we can learn from it. From the fanciful adornment of Lucifer in heaven to the filthy rags of our own righteousness, from the coats of animal skins for Adam and Eve in Eden to the “garments of splendor” mentioned in Isaiah, the Bible uses clothing and clothing imagery to portray truths about sin, pride, righteousness, salvation, justification, resurrection, and eternal life in Christ.
This week’s Scriptural Pursuit is based on the Old Testament book of Zechariah. The third chapter of this book presents Joshua, the high priest, who stands as a representative of all the sinners – everyone of us – in his filthy garment. In this judgment scene, Satan accuses Joshua meaning the high priest doesn’t deserve the cleansing and the rich garment of grace God offers. But God rebukes Satan and offers a clean garment. Cleaning up sinful human beings is a work that God does through Jesus Christ and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. All that you can do is to surrender yourself to God. Watch the discussion to learn how this is possible.
For further information, comments or questions, please write to melponniah@gmail.com
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Garments of Slendor
Glenn Russell, Shanel Jacques, and Lael Caesar
Lesson 8 for May 14-20
This quarter’s discussions focus on biblical symbolism of a certain kind: clothing imagery. We will consider the garments that people in the Bible wore and what that clothing really meant, what truths it symbolized, what great realities it pointed to, and what lessons we can learn from it. From the fanciful adornment of Lucifer in heaven to the filthy rags of our own righteousness, from the coats of animal skins for Adam and Eve in Eden to the “garments of splendor” mentioned in Isaiah, the Bible uses clothing and clothing imagery to portray truths about sin, pride, righteousness, salvation, justification, resurrection, and eternal life in Christ.
This week’s Scriptural Pursuit discussion draws lessons for our day from the writings of prophet Isaiah. Repeatedly, Isaiah urged the people of his day to put on the glorious garments of righteousness and to accept God’s salvation. The prophet himself testifies to this experience: “my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:10). God offers His garments to you. Watch this week’s discussion to learn how you may receive this free garment.
For further information, comments or questions, please write to melponniah@gmail.com
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In the Shadow of His Wings
Glenn Russell, Cristian Dumitrescu, and Melchizedek Ponniah
Lesson 7 for May 7-13
This quarter’s discussions focus on biblical symbolism of a certain kind: clothing imagery. We will consider the garments that people in the Bible wore and what that clothing really meant, what truths it symbolized, what great realities it pointed to, and what lessons we can learn from it. From the fanciful adornment of Lucifer in heaven to the filthy rags of our own righteousness, from the coats of animal skins for Adam and Eve in Eden to the “garments of splendor” mentioned in Isaiah, the Bible uses clothing and clothing imagery to portray truths about sin, pride, righteousness, salvation, justification, resurrection, and eternal life in Christ.
This week’s Scriptural Pursuit discussion helps us to meditate with King David through his psalms on how God shelters us and covers our sin. David’s garments, in a spiritual sense, were priestly as well as kingly. The bitter sins that stained these garments inspired Psalms 32 and 51. David’s genuine confession of his sins and repentance resulted in forgiveness. Like He did for King David, God washes away the guilt of your sins–whatever the sin–and clothes you in His righteousness–a gift of garment available from God alone.
For further information, comments or questions, please write to melponniah@gmail.com
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Elijah's and Elisha's Mantle
Glenn Russell, Timothy McIntire, and John Baxter
Lesson 6 April 30-May 6
This quarter’s discussions focus on biblical symbolism of a certain kind: clothing imagery. We will consider the garments that people in the Bible wore and what that clothing really meant, what truths it symbolized, what great realities it pointed to, and what lessons we can learn from it. From the fanciful adornment of Lucifer in heaven to the filthy rags of our own righteousness, from the coats of animal skins for Adam and Eve in Eden to the “garments of splendor” mentioned in Isaiah, the Bible uses clothing and clothing imagery to portray truths about sin, pride, righteousness, salvation, justification, resurrection, and eternal life in Christ.
An ancient form of clothing was known as a mantle. A mantle was basically a coat or a cape, and the statement it made was that the one wearing it was either a person of temporal authority, such as a royal personage or a military leader, or someone of religious importance, such as a priest or prophet. Elijah wore a mantle to indicate the fact that he represented the highest authority. This week’s Scriptural Pursuit discussion centers around how God still calls us to take up His spiritual mantle and represent Him to the world.
For further information, comments or questions, please write to melponniah@gmail.com
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The Priestly Garments of Grace
Glenn Russell, Sarah Gane, and Roy Gane
Lesson 5 for April 23-29
This quarter’s discussions focus on biblical symbolism of a certain kind: clothing imagery. We will consider the garments that people in the Bible wore and what that clothing really meant, what truths it symbolized, what great realities it pointed to, and what lessons we can learn from it. From the fanciful adornment of Lucifer in heaven to the filthy rags of our own righteousness, from the coats of animal skins for Adam and Eve in Eden to the “garments of splendor” mentioned in Isaiah, the Bible uses clothing and clothing imagery to portray truths about sin, pride, righteousness, salvation, justification, resurrection, and eternal life in Christ.
The priests of the Old Testament era were a distinct class of people specially dedicated to God. They easily could be identified by their unique, symbolic garments. If one chooses to follow Jesus Christ, he or she is also a priest in a very real sense, and should be recognizable by the work of Christ within him or her. What does it mean that we as Christ’s followers are, in a very real sense, priests of God? How should this affect our views of ourselves and our place in the world? This week’s Scriptural Pursuit discussion centers around these questions among others.
For further information, comments or questions, please write to melponniah@gmail.com
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The Coat of Different Colors
Glenn Russell, Nathan Gibbs, and Erhard Gallos
Lesson 4 for April 16-22
This quarter’s discussions focus on biblical symbolism of a certain kind: clothing imagery. We will consider the garments that people in the Bible wore and what that clothing really meant, what truths it symbolized, what great realities it pointed to, and what lessons we can learn from it. From the fanciful adornment of Lucifer in heaven to the filthy rags of our own righteousness, from the coats of animal skins for Adam and Eve in Eden to the “garments of splendor” mentioned in Isaiah, the Bible uses clothing and clothing imagery to portray truths about sin, pride, righteousness, salvation, justification, resurrection, and eternal life in Christ.
This story has it all: pride, favoritism, jealousy, hatred, rejection, dysfunctional relationships, divine intervention. All in one family! Yes, the story of one family’s tangle of relationship issues. So ancient. So contemporary. Join us for our Bible discussion of “The Coat of a Different Color.”
For further information, comments or questions, please write to melponniah@gmail.com
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A Garment of Innocence
Glenn Russell and Peter van Bemmelen
Lesson 3 for April 9-15
This quarter’s discussions focus on biblical symbolism of a certain kind: clothing imagery. We will consider the garments that people in the Bible wore and what that clothing really meant, what truths it symbolized, what great realities it pointed to, and what lessons we can learn from it. From the fanciful adornment of Lucifer in heaven to the filthy rags of our own righteousness, from the coats of animal skins for Adam and Eve in Eden to the “garments of splendor” mentioned in Isaiah, the Bible uses clothing and clothing imagery to portray truths about sin, pride, righteousness, salvation, justification, resurrection, and eternal life in Christ.
The word “Innocence” is not a very positive word these days. Sometimes it is used to imply that someone is naive and unaware, someone who doesn’t seem to know how to get along in the rough and tumble real world. But innocence is a powerfully positive word. It affirms the qualities of purity and integrity in a world full of corruption. Have human beings always been bent towards the negative, inclined towards the painful, attracted to the destructive. Or has there been – and can there be again – a time of innocence.
For further information, comments or questions, please write to melponniah@gmail.com