Episode 857
Exploring Human Dignity Through Hebrews 2:1-9
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available seven days a week by 6:00 am ET. The episodes are no longer than ten minutes long and are...
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The discourse presented in this particular session delves into the profound themes encapsulated in Hebrews 2:1-9, articulating a nuanced understanding of human dignity, divine purpose, and the transformative power of Jesus' message. The speaker, Dr. Brad Miller, employs a sophisticated yet accessible interpretation of the scripture, emphasizing that the essence of this passage transcends mere adherence to rigid doctrines or the fear of divine retribution. Instead, it posits a radical paradigm shift where the salvific message of Jesus invites individuals into a transformative experience characterized by love, justice, and a profound sense of purpose. This conception of salvation is not one of compliance but rather an engagement with the divine that acknowledges human potential and dignity as co-creators with God, tasked with stewardship over creation.
Furthermore, the speaker elucidates the inherent worth of humanity, challenging traditional perspectives that often view humans primarily through the lens of sinfulness or brokenness. Instead, he highlights the poetic imagery within the passage that celebrates human beings as crowned with dignity and entrusted with the care of the world. This perspective fosters a sense of responsibility towards environmental and social stewardship, urging listeners to embrace their role in the divine narrative of creation. The discussion culminates in the assertion that Jesus’ experience of death serves not merely as a substitute for sin but as an embodiment of divine solidarity with humanity, underscoring the importance of recognizing and affirming the dignity of all creation, a theme that is both timely and culturally resonant.
In conclusion, Dr. Miller invites listeners to reflect on their own roles as stewards of the earth, encouraging actionable steps that can be taken to care for the environment as a manifestation of their dignity and purpose. This episode serves as a clarion call to embrace a radical vision of love and justice, challenging individuals to actively participate in the co-creation of a better world, thereby fulfilling their divine calling as articulated in the scriptures.
Takeaways:
- The author of Hebrews emphasizes the significance of maintaining a steadfast grip on the profound message of salvation to prevent spiritual drifting.
- Humanity is presented with an inherent dignity and purpose, highlighting our role as co-creators responsible for the stewardship of creation.
- The passage illustrates that Jesus' experience of death serves as a demonstration of divine solidarity with humanity rather than mere substitutionary atonement.
- The transformative nature of Jesus' teachings emphasizes love and justice, advocating for a radical departure from fear-based compliance to a vision of societal change.
- Listeners are encouraged to take actionable steps towards environmental stewardship, recognizing their role in caring for God's creation.
- The podcast stresses the importance of personal Bible study methods as a resource for deepening one's understanding and relationship with Scripture.
Links referenced in this episode:
Transcript
Human Dignity and Purpose A Study on Hebrews 2:1:9 on the Daily Bible refresh with Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller hello good people.
Speaker A:Welcome to Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:My name is Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller, here to give you every day a verse of a passage of Scripture selected from from the Revised Common Lectionary.
Speaker A:Year C of a three year cycle is where we're at.
Speaker A:It's the Lenten season.
Speaker A:We give this to you in such a way that it is understandable.
Speaker A:We read from the message version of the Bible, the New Testament only relatable.
Speaker A:We give you three points to ponder and applicable give you an action step to take.
Speaker A:We have a prayer.
Speaker A:We do all of that in under 10 minutes.
Speaker A:It's all brought to you by our website voiceofgoddaily.com that is the home of the ABC1, 23 Bible Study Meth.
Speaker A:So let's get into it.
Speaker A:Here's our reading for the day from Hebrews 2:1:9 Reading from the Message it's crucial that we keep a firm grip on what we've heard so we don't drift on.
Speaker A:If the old message delivered by the angels was valid and nobody got away with anything, do you think we can risk neglecting the latest message, this magnificent salvation?
Speaker A:First of all, it was delivered in person by the Master, then accurately passed on to us by those who heard it from Him.
Speaker A:All the while God was validating it with gifts through the Holy Spirit, all sorts of signs and miracles as he saw fit.
Speaker A:The Salvation Pioneer God didn't put angels in charge of this business of salvation.
Speaker A:That's what we're dealing with here.
Speaker A:It says in Scripture what is man and woman that bother with them?
Speaker A:Why take a second look their way.
Speaker A:You made them not quite as high as angels, bright with Eden's dawn light.
Speaker A:Then you put them in charge of your entire handicrafted world.
Speaker A:When God put them in charge of everything, nothing was excluded.
Speaker A:But we don't see it yet, don't see everything under human jurisdiction.
Speaker A:What we do see is Jesus made not quite as high as angels and then through the experience of death, crowned so much higher than any angel with glory bright with Eden's dawn light.
Speaker A:In that death by God's grace, he fully experienced death in every person's place.
Speaker A:Well, a profound passage of scripture there exploring Hebrews with themes of human dignity, divine partnership and the revolutionary life over death message of Jesus.
Speaker A:Here's some points to ponder.
Speaker A:Number one is that this message matters.
Speaker A:The author of Hebrews reminds us that this magnificent salvation, as he puts it, isn't about rigid rules or supernatural enforcement.
Speaker A:It's about a transformative message delivered through Jesus life and teaching.
Speaker A:It is about not a fear based compliance, but about embracing a radical vision of love and justice that indeed can change the world.
Speaker A:The second point has to do with human dignity and purpose.
Speaker A:This is a really beautiful poetic scene section here where we're reminded of humanity's inherent worth rather than seeing humans as inerrantly sinful or broken.
Speaker A:This passage celebrates our potential as co creators with God and we're crowned with dignity and given responsibility for the well being of creation.
Speaker A:This is a profound statement about human potential and our call to environmental and social stewardship.
Speaker A:A third point has to do with Jesus as solidarity, not substitute.
Speaker A:This passage concludes with Jesus experiencing death in every person's place.
Speaker A:Progressive theology invites us to see this not as substitutionary atonement, but as divine solidarity.
Speaker A:Jesus death wasn't about appeasing an angry God, but about God fully entering the human experience, including the parts about suffering to demonstrate ultimate solidarity with humanity.
Speaker A:Here's your action step.
Speaker A:Embrace your role as a steward of God's handicrafted world.
Speaker A:Choose one concrete action to care for creation.
Speaker A:Maybe it's reducing your plastic use and recycling or supporting some environmental justice initiatives or advocating for climate policy that's sane.
Speaker A:Remember you're crowned with dignity and purpose to be a co creator for a better world.
Speaker A:We're going to pray here in just a minute, but I do want to remind you that we do have a great resource for you to help you with your own personal Bible study.
Speaker A:It's called the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A:You can pick it up at voiceofgoddaily.com it will help you with your personal Bible study.
Speaker A:Here's our closing prayer.
Speaker A:Loving God, thank you for reminding us of our worth and calling when we feel small and powerless.
Speaker A:Help us remember that you've trusted us with your handicrafted world.
Speaker A:Give us courage to hold firmly to the message of love and justice that Jesus taught.
Speaker A:Help us recognize our dignity and the dignity of all creation.
Speaker A:Guide us as we work to be faithful stewards of your world and partners in building your beloved community in the spirit of Jesus who stood in solidarity solidarity with all humanity.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:And I stand in solidarity with you.
Speaker A:And then I'll be back with you again tomorrow here on the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A: res, a million people by year: Speaker A:You can join me tomorrow before 6am I usually drop these episodes and bring a friend this time and we'll enjoy the scriptures together.
Speaker A:Until that time, My name is Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:Remember that God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.
