Why Animal Death Isn’t Central to the Gospel

 

Introduction

Resurrection is the beating heart of the Christian gospel. It is the decisive answer to death, the hope of believers, and the promise that anchors faith. Yet when Young Earth Creationists (YECs) argue that all death—human, animal, and in some circles even plant death—is the direct result of Adam’s sin, they often overlook a crucial point: Scripture never connects animal death to resurrection. (1)

When read in their full context, all four prooftexts most often cited by YECs—Romans 5:12, Romans 6:23, Romans 8:19–22 and 1 Corinthians 15:20–22—explicitly tie human death to human resurrection in Christ. That silence about animals is telling.

Human Death and Resurrection

Paul’s theology consistently links Adam’s sin to the spiritual consequences of sin for all humanity, contrasting death born of life in the flesh with the new life we have through the Spirit and the hope of resurrection with Christ. For example:

• Romans 7:9–11: Paul says sin “produced death in me through what was good”—he was physically alive, but speaks of death as the spiritual ruin brought by sin.
  

• Romans 8:6: “To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” Again, death here is spiritual alienation.
  

• Ephesians 2:1: “You were dead in your trespasses and sins.” Clearly spiritual death.

• Colossians 2:13: “You, who were dead in your trespasses… God made alive together with him.” Same idea—death as spiritual condition, life as reconciliation.

This consistent pattern—where “death” refers to humanity’s spiritual condition apart from God and “life” refers to reconciliation and resurrection hope in Christ—frames how we should read the very prooftexts often cited by YECs. Consider how Paul’s own words in these passages reinforce the same pattern:

• Romans 5:12: “Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all people, because all sinned.”
  

• Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
  

• 1 Corinthians 15:21–22: “Since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man. For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.”

Together, these passages underscore that the gospel promise is directed toward moral agents—humans who are accountable before God, capable of sin, repentance, and covenant relationship.

Animals and the Absence of Resurrection

Animals are never described in Scripture as moral agents. It is not immoral for a lion to kill a gazelle, or for a hawk to prey on a mouse. By contrast, it is immoral for a human to kill another human, or to abuse another human or animal. That distinction matters: the gospel addresses human sin, not animal instinct.

There is no passage that says animals can sin or that Adam was the federal head of all creation. Nor does Scripture teach that Christ—the second Adam—died for the sins of animals. Likewise, there is no verse that promises animals resurrection life. Even Romans 8:19–22—the strongest YEC prooftext—speaks of creation’s bondage and groaning, but ties its hope to the revealing of the “sons of God” (resurrected humans). Creation’s destiny is not a return to Eden but to be made new—ordered, and ruled by the redeemed under Christ’s reign.

Furthermore, Scripture never treats animal death as a moral or theological crisis. In fact, passages like Psalm 104:21–30 and Job 38:41 portray predation as part of God’s providential care. Sacrificial animals are described as pleasing to God (Leviticus 7; Psalm 116, etc.), and Genesis 9:3 explicitly permits humans to eat animals. (I’ve examined the question of animal death before the Fall more fully in The Theology of Death and Six Non‑Essential Doctrines Connected to the Age of the Earth.)

The New Creation: Fulfillment, Not Return

As I noted in The New Creation: Fulfillment of Redemption, Not a Return to Eden, Revelation 21–22 describes the New Creation not as Eden reborn, but as Eden fulfilled. The removal of the “curse” in Revelation 22:3 refers to the eradication of idolatry—an accursed thing that defiles covenant relationship—not to the reversal of creaturely mortality. The reappearance of the Tree of Life shows that eternal life is secured through Christ’s victory over sin, not through biological immortality. This vision centers on humanity’s covenantal union with God, the restoration of worship, and the fulfillment of redemption—not on resurrection for animals or universe-spanning reset to a state of pre-fall perfection.

Why This Matters for YEC Prooftexts

If all death and biological decay were the result of Adam’s sin, and if this were as central to the gospel as many YECs claim, we would expect Scripture to say so repeatedly and explicitly. Instead, when read in context, all four prooftexts point toward human resurrection—three explicitly, and one implicitly through creation’s hope tied to the sons of God. Scripture’s silence about animal resurrection exposes the weakness of making animal death-through-Adam central to the gospel.

Conclusion

Resurrection is the gospel’s decisive answer to human sin and death. Scripture promises that creation itself will be made new, but it never extends resurrection to animals. To conflate the eternal life secured through Christ with a universal biological reset is to blur the distinction between covenantal redemption and cosmic restoration—and in doing so, to miss the gospel’s center.
The gospel is not “For God so loved the birds, the bees, and the trees. ...” It is “For God so loved the world…that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

That promise is for humanity as moral agents—those capable of sin, repentance, and covenant relationship with God. Creation shares in the renewal, but resurrection belongs to those who are in Christ. The distinction matters: renewal restores the created order to harmony under Christ’s reign in the New Creation, while resurrection secures eternal life for redeemed humanity.

If YEC arguments blur that line, they risk shifting the focus away from the gospel’s true center: Christ’s victory over human sin and death. The danger is not merely exegetical—it is pastoral. A gospel that makes animal death central risks trivializing the cross and obscuring the hope of resurrection itself.

The Christian hope is not that lions will stop hunting gazelles, or that every creature will be biologically immortal. The hope is that humanity, reconciled to God through Christ, will rise incorruptible, and that creation itself will be renewed to reflect God’s glory. Resurrection is personal, covenantal, and eternal. Renewal is cosmic, restorative, and harmonious. Together they form the full scope of redemption—but only resurrection belongs to humanity in Christ.

Did Trump Make an Idol of Himself?

 

Introduction

A 22‑foot gold‑leaf statue of Donald Trump now stands at his Miami golf resort, and the internet has reacted with predictable intensity. (1) Some critics immediately declared it a “golden idol,” invoking Exodus 32 as if the monument had been hauled straight out of Sinai, while others have even compared the statue to Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image in Daniel 3. Others dismissed the outrage as political theater. And somewhere in the middle, many Christians are trying to decide whether they should be concerned, amused, or simply tired of the whole thing.

But here’s the key point: a golden statue is not automatically an idol. If we’re going to talk about idolatry, we need to talk about it the way Scripture does — not as a matter of materials, but as a matter of worship.

Images in Scripture: What God Actually Forbids

The second commandment is often quoted in these debates:

“Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. Do not bow in worship to them, and do not serve them…” — Exodus 20:4–5

The structure of the command is important. God forbids making an idol, bowing down to it, and serving it. The prohibition is not against all images but against images made for the purpose of worship.

Scripture itself makes this clear. God commanded the crafting of cherubim over the ark (Exodus 25:18–20). Solomon’s temple was filled with carved images of cherubim, palm trees, and flowers (1 Kings 6:29). In the wilderness, God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and lift it up so the people could look at it and live (Numbers 21:8–9). If the mere existence of an image were idolatry, God would be contradicting Himself. The issue was never the object; it was always the heart posture toward the object.

This is why Hezekiah later destroyed the bronze serpent. What God had once commanded became a stumbling block when Israel began burning incense to it.

“He broke into pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for the Israelites burned incense to it” — 2 Kings 18:4 

The serpent wasn’t sinful until it became an object of worship. Idolatry is not defined by the presence of an image but by the presence of worship.

So, Is the Trump Statue an Idol?

By biblical definition, no — not inherently. A gold‑leaf statue of a political figure, standing on private property, unveiled at a ceremony, and admired by supporters, is not idolatry in itself. Nations build statues of leaders, heroes, and historical figures all the time. Christians have historically created art, icons, and sculptures without violating the second commandment.

So far, there is no evidence of literal worship — no bowing, no offerings, no prayers directed toward the statue. The object itself is not the problem.

But There Is a Problem — And It Has Nothing to Do with a Statue

Where Christians should be concerned is not the monument but the rhetoric surrounding Trump in certain corners of American evangelicalism. Some pastors and influencers speak of him in ways that blur the line between political support and spiritual elevation. He is sometimes described as a quasi‑messianic figure who will “save” America, a uniquely anointed leader protected by God, or a covenantal figure whose success determines national blessing. He is surrounded by voices — many of them NAR‑aligned — who claim prophetic insight into his destiny. (2)

This is where the theological danger lies, not in a statue but in the language of devotion. Jesus warned, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Paul cautioned believers not to boast in human leaders (1 Corinthians 3:21). The problem is not admiration; it is misplaced hope.

And Trump himself has repeatedly demonstrated that he does not understand the gospel, does not profess repentance, and does not exhibit the fruit of a regenerate life. That matters — especially when Christian leaders frame him as a spiritual instrument or divinely chosen figure. The danger is not the statue; it is the theology.

Idolatry Begins in the Heart, Not in the Workshop

Biblically, idolatry is fundamentally a heart‑level allegiance that replaces God with something else.

 “Those who make them are just like them, as are all who trust in them” — Psalm 115:8

Idolatry is about trust, hope, identity, and ultimate loyalty.

A statue can be a symbol, a piece of art, a political monument, or even propaganda. But it becomes an idol only when people treat it — or the person it represents — as a source of ultimate security, salvation, or meaning. And that is where some of the Trump‑related rhetoric crosses a line. Not because of the gold, not because of the height, or the person it depicts, but because of the spiritual elevation of a political figure.

Conclusion

Christians don’t need to panic about a gold statue at a golf resort. But we do need to be discerning about the spiritual narratives forming around political leaders. The early church lived under emperors who demanded worship and filled the empire with statues of themselves, yet the apostles never instructed believers to tear the statues down. They told them to guard their hearts.

Jesus’ own words still draw the line clearly:

“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” — Matthew 22:21

Caesar may receive taxes, civic honor, and the ordinary respect due to earthly authority. But God alone receives the soul, the conscience, and the worship of His people.

The same applies today. The line between honor and idolatry is not drawn in metal but in devotion, and devotion belongs to Christ alone. If we keep that distinction clear, we can avoid two equal and opposite errors: overreacting to every political symbol as if it were a golden calf, and underreacting to genuinely unhealthy patterns of spiritualized political loyalty.

The statue isn’t the idol. But the human heart can make an idol out of anything — including a politician. And that is where our vigilance belongs.

Testing the Spirits: Why the Continuing Church of God Fails the Biblical Standard

 

Introduction: The Call for Discernment

In a time when new theological movements frequently emerge, Christians must remain steadfast in discerning truth from deception. The Continuing Church of God (CCOG) presents itself as a restoration of early Christianity, claiming to uphold the original teachings of Christ and the apostles. However, upon closer examination, its doctrines and practices reveal significant departures from orthodox Christian faith. This article explores the origins, history, and theology of the CCOG, highlighting why it diverges from biblical Christianity and why believers should approach it with caution.

Origins and History

The Continuing Church of God was founded by Dr. Bob Thiel in 2012. Thiel, a former member of the Living Church of God, established the CCOG after claiming to receive divine revelations affirming his prophetic role. (1) The group identifies itself as the Philadelphia remnant of the Church of God, tracing its spiritual lineage to the early Christian church.

The CCOG asserts that mainstream Christianity has deviated from the original teachings of Christ, positioning itself as the true continuation of the faith. It emphasizes prophetic interpretations, end-time warnings, and adherence to Old Testament laws, including dietary restrictions and Sabbath observance.

While the Church of God tradition has historical roots in the Worldwide Church of God, founded by Herbert W. Armstrong, the CCOG represents a further splintering of this movement. Armstrongism, known for its unique eschatological interpretations and strict observance of Mosaic laws, profoundly influences the CCOG’s teachings. (2) However, unlike groups affiliated with the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)—which emphasize modern apostles, charismatic gifts, and dominion theology—the CCOG follows a distinct theological path rooted in Armstrong’s legacy rather than NAR’s charismatic framework.

Theological Divergences

The theology of the Continuing Church of God significantly diverges from orthodox Christianity in several key areas:

1. Binitarianism vs. Trinitarianism

Unlike mainstream Christianity, which affirms the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—the CCOG adheres to binitarianism, recognizing only the Father and the Son as distinct persons in the Godhead. This rejection of the Holy Spirit as a distinct divine person contradicts centuries of Christian doctrine upheld by Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant traditions.

2. Legalism and Old Testament Practices

The CCOG insists that Christians must observe Old Testament laws, including circumcision, dietary restrictions, and strict Sabbath observance. This legalistic approach conflicts with the New Testament teachings of grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), where salvation is not dependent on adherence to Mosaic Law but on Christ’s redemptive work.

3. Prophetic Claims and Eschatology

Dr. Bob Thiel claims to have received divine revelations, positioning himself as a prophetic figure. The CCOG places heavy emphasis on end-time prophecy, often interpreting global events as signs of imminent tribulation. While biblical prophecy is an essential aspect of Christian faith, the CCOG’s speculative interpretations and self-proclaimed prophetic authority raise concerns about theological accuracy and spiritual manipulation.

4. Rejection of Mainstream Christian Doctrines

The CCOG rejects many foundational Christian doctrines, including the immortality of the soul, traditional views on hell, and the concept of salvation by grace alone. Instead, it promotes a unique interpretation of biblical eschatology based on Armstrongism. (3)

Why Christians Should Exercise Discernment

By rejecting the Trinity, enforcing legalistic adherence to Old Testament laws, promoting speculative prophetic claims, and straying from core Christian doctrines, the Continuing Church of God presents significant theological concerns. Scripture explicitly warns believers against this kind of distortion:

"But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, a curse be on him!" (Galatians 1:8, CSB).

Conclusion: Standing Firm in Biblical Truth

As Christians, we are called to test every teaching against the Word of God (1 John 4:1). While the Continuing Church of God claims to uphold biblical truth, its theological framework diverges significantly from the gospel of Christ. Believers must remain steadfast in sound doctrine, rejecting movements that distort the message of salvation and impose legalistic burdens.

In a world filled with spiritual deception, let us hold fast to the truth of Scripture, relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the wisdom of the Christian community. Discernment is not merely an intellectual exercise—it is a spiritual safeguard against error.

Biblical Truth vs. Esoteric Speculation: Examining Jonathan Cahn’s Prophetic Claims

Introduction

Jonathan Cahn’s books have captivated Christian audiences with claims of hidden biblical mysteries that supposedly reveal prophetic insights about America’s destiny. His works—The Harbinger, The Mystery of the Shemitah, The Paradigm, and The Josiah Manifesto—blend biblical prophecy with contemporary events, often drawing controversial parallels between ancient Israel and modern America. While his passion for biblical interpretation is evident, his methodology raises serious concerns. Does his approach align with sound biblical exegesis, or does it reflect influences from the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), Gnosticism, and even New Age mysticism?

This article critically examines Cahn’s teachings, citing specific examples from his books to demonstrate the need for discernment when encountering claims of hidden revelations.

The Influence of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)

Cahn’s writings reflect elements of the NAR, particularly its emphasis on modern-day prophets who claim new revelations. In The Harbinger, Cahn presents a fictional narrative in which a mysterious prophet reveals hidden biblical patterns that supposedly predict America’s decline. This mirrors the NAR’s tendency to elevate subjective prophetic insights over traditional biblical interpretation. Additionally, Cahn’s portrayal of America as a covenant nation akin to Israel aligns with dominion theology, a core NAR belief that Christians must reclaim societal institutions for God’s kingdom. However, biblical covenants are exclusive to Israel and the Church, making this theological claim problematic.

Gnostic Parallels: Esoteric Knowledge and Hidden Mysteries

Gnosticism, an ancient heresy condemned by the early Church, emphasized secret knowledge (gnosis) as the key to salvation. Cahn’s books often present hidden biblical codes and mysteries that only he has uncovered, which mirrors the Gnostic tendency to claim esoteric wisdom. In The Paradigm, Cahn argues that modern political figures, including Bill and Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump, fulfill roles analogous to biblical figures such as Ahab, Jezebel, and Jehu. (1) This approach resembles Gnostic allegorical interpretation, where historical events are reinterpreted through hidden spiritual meanings. However, biblical prophecy does not function through speculative parallels but through clear, God-ordained revelation.

The Resemblance to New Age and New Thought Teachings

New Age spirituality and New Thought philosophies emphasize mystical experiences, cosmic energies, and the belief that human consciousness can influence reality. While Cahn does not explicitly advocate New Age doctrines, his method of linking ancient biblical cycles to America’s destiny introduces a mystical dimension that mirrors New Age principles. In The Mystery of the Shemitah, Cahn claims that financial collapses in America align with the biblical Shemitah cycle, suggesting that economic downturns occur in precise accordance with ancient biblical patterns. (2) This approach is reminiscent of New Thought’s belief in universal spiritual laws governing prosperity and fate, rather than a biblical understanding of God’s sovereign will. Additionally, in The Book of Mysteries, Cahn explicitly references New Thought teachings when he states that every time a person says "I am," they are invoking the Name of God. (3) This idea aligns with New Thought’s emphasis on the power of affirmations and the belief that spoken words can shape reality.

Echoes of Channeled Texts like The Urantia Book

The Urantia Book, a channeled text promoting an alternative theological narrative, claims to reveal cosmic truths beyond traditional Christianity. Though Cahn does not receive direct revelations from supernatural sources, his hermeneutical style of decoding hidden biblical messages bears resemblance to the way The Urantia Book constructs its spiritual teachings. In The Josiah Manifesto, Cahn presents a prophetic framework based on the biblical Jubilee, arguing that America’s fate is tied to ancient cycles. (4) This interpretative method, which seeks hidden patterns rather than engaging with Scripture as a clear and authoritative guide, risks moving away from biblical clarity and into speculative theology.

Conclusion

Jonathan Cahn’s writings raise legitimate concerns due to their theological ambiguity, reliance on hidden revelations, and alignment with mystical and esoteric traditions. While his passion for biblical prophecy is commendable, his interpretative methods often resemble those found in Gnosticism, New Age thought, and the New Apostolic Reformation. Scripture warns against departing from sound doctrine (2 Timothy 4:3-4) and calls believers to handle God’s Word with accuracy (2 Timothy 2:15).

Discernment is crucial in an age of sensationalized theology. While Cahn’s works may be engaging, they must be evaluated against the foundation of biblical truth. Ultimately, Christianity does not require hidden codes or mystical patterns to understand God’s plan—His revelation in Christ and Scripture is sufficient. As believers, we must remain vigilant against teachings that obscure the Gospel with speculative interpretations.