How did we arrive at NCJ? What paradigm shifts in our understanding of God’s Word did He use to reveal to me (pastor Scott) that what Jesus and His New Testament authors are teaching is not a new religion (Christianity), but a restoration of ancient Judaism according to its New Covenant expression? 1. (2006) Lord Before SaviorFully submitting/dedicating ourselves to Jesus’ Lordship by repenting – or confessing and turning from our sin through justice and just living was the pre-requisite to His deliverance (salvation) in the OT (esp. ancient Judaism) just as it is in the NT. IOW: Lordship Salvation is not simply a NT phenomenon (e.g., The Gospel According To Jesus) Path to this particular paradigm shift: 1) Realizing that Jesus is the Savior of all redemptive history (versus just those under the NC) (e.g., Jud 1:5; Heb 9:15-16)2) Realizing that the soteriological formula used by Him to save people is also the same (i.e., L>S) (Heb 13:8 [Mal 3:6-7]). 2) Recognizing that formula (L>S) throughout both the New and Old Testaments (Gen 17:1-2; Exo 19:5; Exo 23:22; Lev 16:26; Deu 7:9; Deu 30:1-3; Psa 81:11-14; Psa 85:9; Isa 1:18-19; Isa 48:17-19; Isa 59:1-2; Isa 59:20; Jer 4:14; Jer 9:12-14; Jer 26:13; Jer 36:3; Mat 7:21-23; Mar 1:14-15; Luk 1:50; Luk 3:8-9 w/18; Luk 19:1-9; Eph 5:5-6; Heb 5:9; 1Jo 1:6-7; 1Jo 2:4-6). 2. (2012) Gain and MaintainThe framework of salvation is the same under the New Covenant as it was under the Old Covenant (or ancient Judaism): we gain our salvation by grace through faith and maintain it through faithful obedience to God’s commands. IOW: There is no dichotomy between works and faith in salvation (e.g., FAG: either you earn your way to heaven by your works/obedience [impossible] or you get to heaven by simply believing in the works/obedience of Christ).Path to this particular paradigm shift: 1) Pastor Rowe advised me to “be careful” how much I pushed the importance of obedience to salvation causing me to conclude that: (1.1.) Christianity (at some point) in her history had created a false dichotomy between faith and obedience/works in Christianity. Why? Because God demands we do the opposite of P. Rowe’s advice (we are to be careful to make sure we obey – Deu 28:1), yet would never by such demands create a false dichotomy. God’s Word must therefore teach a different framework (a third option) – one which makes faith and obedience/works complementary not contrary obligations.(1.2.) If the soteriological formula of salvation is the same throughout redemptive history (i.e., L>S was true for OT salvation just as it is for NT salvation), then the framework housing faith and obedience in a complimentary way can also be found in the OT (i.e., I will observe it in ancient Judaism). (1.3.) I need to start reading theological books about ancient Judaism (biblical theology/soteriology). (1.4.) I need to study and teach church history -especially the Protestant Reformations where the dichotomy-producing FAG came to the fore. 2) I discovered in my study and teaching of the German Reformation (16th cent.,) that Martin Luther (the inventor of the FAG and “father of the Protestant Reformation”) had a lot in common with the 2nd century heretic Marcion: both were guilty of creating the false dichotomy between law (OT/works) and grace (NT/faith). 3) I read E.P. Sanders’ ground-breaking work, Paul and Palestinian Judaism which proves “covenantal nomism” (get in by grace, stay in by obedience [gain and maintain]) to be the soteriological framework of ancient Judaism (versus the works-based view held by Christianity for almost 2k years). 4) I confirmed covenantal nomism to be the soteriological framework of all salvation in the Bible - including under the NC (Gen 18:19; Exo 24:7-8 w/Lev 18:4-5 [Luk 10:25-28]; Deu 27:9-10; Deu 28:1-2 Mat 28:18-20; Phi 2:12-13; Phi 3:7-16; Col 1:23; 1Ti 6:12).3. (2013) Marriage Covenant Theology/GospelRedemptive history is comprised of five saving covenants (Adamic, Noahic, Abrahamic, Old and New) whose makeup/nature is marital (they are betrothal – or inchoate marriage covenants), and Jesus, the covenant-making member of the Godhead, their divine Husband (Jer 31:31; Hos 2:19; 2Co 11:2). Being marital in nature not only explains Scripture’s soteriological formula of Lord Before Savior (God requires the wife [church] vow her full submission to her husband as Lord/head of household – Eph 5:22-24), but also its framework of covenantal nomism or “gain and maintain” (in our human marriages: what is gained by grace through vows of faithfulness must be maintained - or the marriage is permanently forfeited in divorce [apostasy]). As such, all the saving covenants of redemptive history are bi-lateral (conditional) - including the Abrahamic and New Covenants (Gen 15 = God’s vows; Gen 17 = Abe’s vows). Similar to human marriages, our vows of faith (or pledge of faithfulness [pistus = faith/faithfulness]) to Christ is accompanied ...