
Elements in the New Testament
My Ignorance
I remember in Sunday School teaching through the book of Colossians and coming up against this word “elements” (gk stoicheia), in Col. 2:8, 20-22. Simply stumped as to what it meant.
I just skimmed over the word (shame on me!) and went on to something that was familiar.
Safe. Easy. Smart?
Since then, a lot of water has passed under the bridge, if you know what I mean. Due to my willingness to be proven wrong (although sometimes kicking and screaming), I have come to the realization that I do not know it all.
All you that are surprised by this admission, please raise your hands.
Eschatological “Elements“
Anyway, I was reading a passage on eschatology and the author addressed the new heavens and new earth in 2 Peter. He showed that Peter used the word “stoicheia” when referring to the elements that would melt with fervent heat.
His suggestion floored me as to what the elements were and I promised myself I would research it some more.
What I found was the following essay addressing this very word, and the very concern I had.
It has challenged me on many fronts.
Take a read and let me know whatchathink!
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Hi
I have read the linked article and taken a look at the website that it is on. It seems the author is both a Preterist and a Sabbath keeper. The former is why he doesn’t accept 2 Peter 3:10-13 as meaning what it says. (I have had to do a bit of research into this belief system).
Blessings,
Helen
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I am so glad you did some research into this topic. I have been challenged too by his arguments.
Since I wrote this post a few months back, I have found some concerns with his thinking. The post was provided to offer an alternate ( but not necessarily acceptable) interpretation
Thanks for the comment and for being a berean!
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