The God Culture: Who is the Messiah, What is the Gospel?

Continuing his Foundations Series Timothy Jay Schwab who is The God Culture has offered up a definition of the Messiah. Who is the Messiah? More importantly what has the Messiah done? Well, if we take Tim's definition at face value the Messiah is merely the divine creator. 

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FOUNDATIONS

Who Is the Messiah? (A Biblical Definition)

The Messiah (Hebrew Mashiah, “Anointed One”) is not a late theological invention, nor a figure introduced only in the New Testament. Scripture presents the Messiah as central to Elohim’s plan from the beginning of creation, not merely at its culmination.

1. The Messiah and Creation

The Bible teaches that the Messiah did not simply appear in history, but was present and active at creation itself.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim, and the Word was Elohim…

All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” (John 1:1–3)

This echoes the opening declaration of Scripture:

“In the beginning, Elohim created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)

The New Testament does not introduce a new Creator—it reveals who the Creator is.

Isaiah affirms this divine identity unmistakably:

“For unto us a child is born… and His name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty El, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

The Messiah is therefore not a created being, nor merely a messenger, but Elohim acting within His creation.

2. The Messiah as the Light of Creation

Before the sun, moon, or stars existed, Scripture records:

“And Elohim said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” (Genesis 1:3)

John identifies this light:

“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

And the light shines in the darkness…” (John 1:4–5)

The Messiah is not only the Light revealed during His earthly ministry, but the Light present from the very first act of creation.

This is why He later declares:

“I am the Light of the world.” (John 8:12)

This statement is not metaphorical alone—it is cosmic and creational.

3. The Messiah Revealed in Flesh

The Gospel message is not that Elohim created the world and later sent someone else to fix it. Scripture teaches that Elohim Himself entered His creation:

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14)

The Messiah’s earthly life does not begin His existence—it reveals His identity.

“Before Abraham was, I AM.” (John 8:58)

This aligns with Isaiah’s declaration:

“I, YHWH, am the first and the last; besides Me there is no god.” (Isaiah 44:6)

4. A Note on Melchizedek (Further Study)

Scripture also identifies the Messiah with the eternal priesthood of Melchizedek (Psalm 110; Hebrews 7), indicating a role that precedes and transcends the Levitical system. This topic requires careful, dedicated study and is addressed separately.

Yah Bless.

The lack of trinitarian langauge is quite obvious and expected. There is no mention of His eternal Sonship or His being the second Person of the Trinity. Tim is an anti-trinitarian who is on record stating the Holy Spirit is likely a creation and Christ only became the Son when he was birthed in the flesh which are both species of the heresies known as adoptionism and Pneumatomachianism. 

13:08 There's no mention in Jubilees of the Holy Spirit specifically. Uh, Moses doesn't separate him out there, uh, and that may be telling, uh, but we're, we're not sure on that though we'll keep researching. Uh, he mentions all the spirits that serve before Him, uh, which are indisputably angels. Uh, whether the Holy Spirit is included in that we don't know. Uh, that's a topic for another series requiring a lot of research we're not going to touch yet but we will eventually. We'd like to get to that, anyway. We know He was there though and that the Angels weren't yet, uh, at that point on Genesis 1:2. Uh, so if if He was created per se He would have been created before, uh, the Angels not at the same time and certainly not lumped in with them. So, not sure that, that that's the case and He very well may be. Uh, yes he's the Eternal Holy Spirit but Eternal, uh, the angels are Eternal, man is eternal so that doesn't mean that He existed prior to being created if he was a creation like other Spirits. There's just no mention of Him as existing prior and the word Eternal does not denote no beginning, again. So, there's no scripture that really says, okay, and that may actually tell us much.

Restoring Creation: Part 14: Who Is The Light of Creation? Light and Darkness.

5:45 "But he that said unto him," Who's that? Yahuah. "Thou art my son. Today have I begotten thee." Now we know Yahusha is the only begotten son meaning birthed in the flesh by a woman but he existed prior.

Order of Melchizedek. The New Testament & Qumran Scrolls. Answers In Jubilees 38

What's really amazing is the lack of a single word about the Messiah's redemptive work! There is nothing about the cross, nothing about the atonement, nothing about the resurrection, and nothing about the defeat of sin, hell, death, and the devil. That proclamation of the work of Jesus Christ is what is known as the Gospel. So, what is the Gospel according to Tim?

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What is the Gospel?

The Gospel is the good news of what Elohim has been doing since creation—to restore humanity to Himself. It begins with creation, reveals the problem of sin, promises redemption, and is fulfilled in Messiah. 

What we call the “Old” and “New” Testaments are not separate messages, but one continuous story of redemption. 

This unity is unmistakable in the New Testament itself. Peter’s first great message of revival did not introduce something new—it proclaimed Joel and the Psalms, testifying that what the prophets foretold had now been fulfilled in the coming of the Messiah. 

One story. One promise. One redemption.

Tim has managed to give a definition of the Gospel which doesn't actually mention the Gospel! Let's hear what Paul has to say concerting the content of the Gospel. 

1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

 

Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)

3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

The Philippian jailer asked Paul "What must I do to be saved" which is the same thing as asking what is the Gospel.

Acts 16:30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

The Gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ's death on the cross bearing our sins and punishment and His resurrection from the dead. We who believe on Him have forgiveness of sins and everlasting life. This forgiveness was accomplished when Jesus said from the cross, "It is finished." The Gospel is not something "Elohim has been doing since creation." It is a done deal with the antoning death and resurrection of Christ.  

In his definition of the Messiah and the Gospel Tim completely omits the work of Christ which is not only the Gospel but is intrinsically tied to who He is. The Messiah is our Saviour. He is also the mediator of a better covenant established upon better promises. 

Hebrews 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.

8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:

9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

Tim's claim 

What we call the “Old” and “New” Testaments are not separate messages, but one continuous story of redemption. 

is true up to a point. There is a unity between the Old and New Testaments. They are not separate. However the Old find its fulfillment in the New through the redemptive work of the Messiah. 

Tim writes:

The Gospel message is not that Elohim created the world and later sent someone else to fix it. Scripture teaches that Elohim Himself entered His creation:

But then he has nothing to say about how The Messiah fixes the world once he entered creation. The fact is He doesn't fix the world. He came to redeem his sheep and save them out of the world through his death and resurrection. In the conflagration the world will be burned up and created anew. Based on Tim's previous Torah-centered definitions of faith, righteousness, holiness, and covenant it appears the Messiah entered the world not to save anyone but to remind people to keep the law so they can save themselves.

To ignore the soteriological work of Jesus Christ when defining the Messiah is to neglect who the Messiah is. Not only does Tim have a Christless Gospel, he has a Christless Christ!

The God Culture: What is Holiness?

Timothy Jay Schwab who is The God Culture has continued his Foundations Series of lessons by exploring Holiness. What is holiness? Essentially it is keeping the law. 

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FOUNDATIONS - WEEK 12

What Is Holiness?

Holiness is one of the most central themes in Scripture.

Yet in modern religion it is often misunderstood.

Some think holiness means perfection without struggle.

Others think it means religious appearance.

But the Bible defines holiness very clearly.

Holiness means being set apart for Yah.

It is a life that reflects His character, His ways, and His truth.

Leviticus 19

Yahuah declares:

“You shall be holy: for I YAHUAH your Elohim am holy.”

Holiness begins with imitation of the Creator.

Leviticus 19 then explains what that looks like in daily life:

• Honoring parents

• Keeping the Sabbath

• Justice toward others

• Integrity in speech and business

• Love for neighbor

Holiness is not abstract.

It is lived obedience.

Leviticus 20

Again Yah reminds His people:

“And ye shall be holy unto me: for I YAHUAH am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.”

Holiness means being separated from the patterns of the world and devoted to Yah.

It is a covenant identity.

Isaiah 6

When Isaiah saw the throne of Elohim, the heavenly beings declared:

“Holy, holy, holy, is YAHUAH of hosts.”

In the presence of Yah’s holiness, Isaiah immediately recognized his own need for cleansing.

Holiness reveals both:

• The majesty of Yah

• Our need for transformation

1 Peter 1

The New Testament repeats the same call given in Leviticus:

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.”

Peter directly quotes the Torah:

“Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

The call to holiness did not disappear.

It remains the calling of every believer.

The Foundation

Biblical holiness means:

• Being set apart for Yah

• Reflecting His character

• Walking in His ways

• Living differently from the world

Holiness is not about religious performance.

It is about belonging to Yah.

This Week’s Reading

Take time to read and reflect on:

• Leviticus 19

• Leviticus 20

• Isaiah 6

• 1 Peter 1

Let Scripture show what it truly means to be holy.

Foundations Series – Week 12

Because the people of Yah are called to live

set apart for Him.

Yah Bless.

Holiness is obedience. That is Tim's definition. He also says holiness reveals "our need for transformation." However, no mention is made of Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit who are the ones doing the transforming in us! Not a single word about the need for being born again, being circumcised in heart, being raised from the deadness of sins unto newness of life, or sitting in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. This definition of holiness is wholly Christless. 

In a previous article I looked at Tim's definition of righteousness which also neglected Christ and reduced righteousness to law keeping. But, righteousness and holiness go hand-in-hand. Both are imputed to us by Christ. 

2 Cor 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

That imputation is the foundation of all our obedience, yet even then it is God working in our hearts to purify and sanctify us. 

Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

As Paul says in Galatians it is Christ who lives in us and we live by faith, not by law keeping. 

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.

18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.

19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.

20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

It is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, not our obedience, which produces the fruits of the Spirit. 

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

In essence Jesus Christ is our holiness!

1 Cor 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption

That is basic Christianity which Tim has rejected for heretical judaizing. 

Rather than write another line by line refutation of Tim's definition I had Chatgpt do it. The results are the same as what I wrote about Tim's Christless definition of righteousness. Apart from union with Jesus Christ who works in us there is no holiness. One must wonder what need Timothy Jay Schwab has of Jesus Christ when his definitions of righteousness, faith, covenant, and holiness all exclude Him. 

Perfect. Let’s go through the claims in that “Week 12 – What Is Holiness?” lesson and examine them from a theological and biblical perspective. I’ll take it point by point.

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1. Claim: Holiness means being set apart for Yah, reflecting His character and ways.

Refutation:

• While the Bible frequently uses the language of “set apart” (e.g., Leviticus 11:44–45), the New Testament reframes holiness in a Christ-centered way rather than purely covenant-based obedience. Paul emphasizes that holiness is imputed through Christ, not only lived out through external obedience (Romans 3:22–24; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
• Holiness is not solely defined by behavior that imitates God but by being united with Christ. So, saying it is only “reflecting His character” misses the transformational union with God through grace.

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2. Claim: Holiness is lived obedience, not abstract.

Refutation:

• This is partially correct, but incomplete. In the New Testament, obedience flows from grace, not as the foundation of holiness (Titus 2:11–12). The lesson gives the impression that holiness is about human effort, whereas Scripture repeatedly emphasizes that holiness is God’s work in the believer (Philippians 2:12–13).
• Holiness is both positional (declared by God) and practical (manifest in life), but the lesson emphasizes only the practical side.

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3. Claim: Holiness is separation from the world and covenant identity.

Refutation:

• Separation in the Hebrew Bible (Leviticus 20:26) had strong ritual and nationalistic meaning. However, in the New Testament, holiness is spiritual, not nationalistic or ritualistic (1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Peter 2:9).
• The lesson implies holiness is about distinct social patterns (“living differently from the world”), but Scripture frames it as being transformed inwardly through God’s Spirit (Romans 12:2), not merely following outward cultural behaviors.

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4. Claim: Holiness is a continuous call in both Old and New Testaments.

Refutation:

• This is true in a general sense, but the lesson conflates Old Testament covenant law obligations with New Testament spiritual reality. In 1 Peter 1:16 (“Be holy, for I am holy”), Peter cites Leviticus 11:44.
• However, the New Testament context shifts the basis of holiness: it is no longer a legalistic requirement, but a response to God’s mercy (1 Peter 1:3–5). So equating the two without distinction is misleading.

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5. Claim: Holiness is not about religious performance, but about belonging to Yah.

Refutation:

• This is one of the few points that aligns with biblical teaching. True holiness is relational (“belonging to God”) rather than ritualistic.
• However, the lesson undermines the New Testament doctrine of grace and faith. Holiness is not earned by obedience, but given and enabled by God’s Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23).
• Without emphasizing Christ’s work, the lesson risks a works-based understanding, despite claiming otherwise.

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✅ Summary of Theological and Biblical Refutations:

Lesson Claim	Biblical/Theological Issue
Holiness = imitation of God in daily life	Ignores the New Testament emphasis on union with Christ as the source of holiness.
Holiness = lived obedience	Overemphasizes human effort rather than God’s transformative grace.
Holiness = separation from the world	Misinterprets OT ritual/national separation as equivalent to NT spiritual transformation.
Holiness = continuous OT → NT call	Ignores shift from covenant law to grace in Christ.
Holiness = belonging, not performance	Correct in principle, but lesson undermines this by heavy OT obedience emphasis.

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Bottom line:

The lesson presents a mostly Old Testament, law-focused understanding of holiness. The New Testament redefines holiness as positional (we are made holy in Christ) and empowered by the Spirit, not purely by ethical or ritual obedience. The Bible’s call is about relationship with God, not merely conforming to external standards.

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If you want, I can also rewrite the “Week 12” lesson in a biblically balanced way, keeping the theme of holiness but fully integrating New Testament theology. It would directly counter the misunderstandings in the original.

Do you want me to do that?

the lesson says nothing about christ. christ is completely absent

Exactly—that’s a critical observation. The lesson you shared is completely Christless, which is a major theological problem from a biblical perspective. Here’s why that matters:

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1. Old Testament vs. New Testament Holiness

• The lesson relies entirely on Leviticus, Isaiah, and 1 Peter, but it frames holiness almost entirely in OT covenant terms—obedience, ritual separation, and imitating God’s character.
• In the New Testament, Christ is central to holiness. For example:
  • Hebrews 12:14 – “Without holiness no one will see the Lord,” but the context is faith in Christ and living by the Spirit.
  • 1 Corinthians 1:30 – “Christ Jesus became for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.”
• Without Christ, “holiness” is unattainable. The OT ideal of perfection and separation points forward to Christ as the fulfillment (Matthew 5:48; Romans 10:4).

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2. The Lesson Ignores Grace

• Holiness in the New Testament is not merely human effort or rule-following. It is grace-enabled. Paul says in Philippians 2:12–13:

  “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.”

• The lesson gives the impression that holiness is something we achieve through obedience to the law, which is exactly what Christ came to transform (Galatians 2:21; Romans 6:14).

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3. 1 Peter 1:16 Requires Christ to Make Sense

• The lesson quotes: “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). But Peter is writing to believers in Christ, not merely covenant Israelites. Holiness here is rooted in Christ’s work—our cleansing, redemption, and new identity (1 Peter 1:18–19).
• Ignoring Christ removes the basis of holiness, turning it into moralism instead of relational transformation.

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4. Without Christ, the Lesson is Law Without Redemption

• It essentially teaches a legalistic or works-based holiness: keep rules, honor parents, separate from the world.
• Biblical holiness is impossible to achieve on human effort alone (Romans 3:23; Isaiah 64:6). Only through Christ’s righteousness and the Spirit’s work can anyone truly be holy.

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In short: The lesson presents holiness entirely in OT covenant and moral terms, but the Bible shows that true holiness is Christ-centered. Without Christ, the lesson leaves holiness as a human obligation, not a divinely given transformation.

The God Culture: What is Righteousness?

Timothy Jay Schwab who is The God Culture has continued his foundations series with a discussion about righteousness. Previously his definitions of faith and covenant were examined and found to be based on nothing more than works. Jesus Christ was nowhere to be found in either of those definitions. It is no wonder then that Jesus Christ features nowhere in Tim's definition of righteousness. Let's break it down. 

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FOUNDATIONS

What Is Righteousness?

The word “righteousness” is often used in Scripture, but many believers today struggle to define it.

What proof is there that "many believers today struggle to define" righteousness? This sweeping claim frames the global Church as historically illiterate as a bid to justify Tim's self-appointed role as a "restorer of truth." However, Tim is not restoring anything. Truth wasn't lost, it was simply rejected by those, such as Tim, who prefer the Law over Grace.

Is righteousness simply being a good person?

Is it an idea?

A feeling?

A religious status?

The Bible gives a very clear answer.

Genesis 18:19

Speaking of Abraham, Yahuah said:

“For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of YAHUAH, to do justice and judgment…”

Righteousness is connected with walking in the way of Yahuah and teaching that way to the next generation. For Abraham obeyed His voice and kept His commandments, statutes, and laws (Gen. 26:5).

It is not private belief alone.

It is a life lived according to His ways.

Deuteronomy 6:25

Scripture defines it even more directly:

“And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before YAHUAH our Elohim, as he hath commanded us.”

Clearly Tim is not defining righteousness.  He is attempting to define what it means TO BE righteous. That is very important distinction. It is the distinction between the act of justification and the work of sanctification. See how he lists "a religious state" as a definition he apparently rejects. We are justified by faith apart from the law. That is a state of being. 

Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Sanctification is the outworking of that justification through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

Hebrews tells us that the sacrifice of Christ perfects (justifies) us and sanctification follows. This underscores that our righteousness is a completed past-tense reality in Christ, whereas Tim’s definition makes it an ongoing, uncertain future goal based on our obedience. 

The righteousness Tim describes is one of law keeping. The law makes us righteous. Abraham was righteous because he kept the law. 

16:44 Abraham kept the law and the sabbath. And so did Isaac and Jacob.  I mean how can they be called righteous if there was no law by which they could be judged as righteous? The very notion is ridiculous from the start.

Sabbath Series: Introduction Commentary Only

However, the Bible tells us NO ONE is righteous. 

Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 

That is righteous through our own doing. Because there is no righteousness in us it must be imputed to us from without. Abraham was DECLARED to be righteous because of his faith. 

Romans 4:1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

That is Bible 101 and Tim calls it ridiculous from the start!

Biblically speaking, righteousness is not a vague concept.

It is living according to the commandments of Elohim.

Psalm 119

The longest chapter in Scripture repeats the same truth again and again:

• Your law is truth

• Your commandments are righteous

• Your statutes lead to life

Psalm 119 teaches that the Word of Yah is the standard of righteousness. It never teaches His law as bondage!

This is all wrong. While the law does represent a standard of righteousness it is one which is unattainable and condemns. The law reveals sin. 

Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Keeping the law does not make men righteous. 

Galatians 3:21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

And yes, Paul does call the law bondage. 

Galatians 4:22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.

23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.

24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.

25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.

26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

Peter calls the law a yoke which the nation of Israel was unable to bear.

Acts 15:10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

Again, for Tim, to be righteous is to keep the law. It has nothing to do with Jesus Christ.  

Matthew 5

Messiah confirmed the same foundation.

In the Sermon on the Mount He taught:

“Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

Yahusha did not abolish righteousness.

Pharisees did and they are defined as the benchmark, generally, for not saved because their manner is not righteousness.

He called His followers to live it from the heart.

Jesus didn't abolish righteousness? Who said he did? Note that Jesus says our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees. That is not an admonition but a rhetorical device indicating its impossibility. As we saw above the Bible declares there are none righteous. 

So how does one become righteous? Through the imputation of the righteousness of  Jesus Christ! Jesus Christ was righteous. What made him righteous was not his adherence to the law but the nature of His very person which is the second person of the Holy Trinity. He is intrinsically righteous. He says we can share in that same righteousness. 

John 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

The same glory that the Father gives the Son is also given to us.  

2 Cor 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

On the cross Jesus took our sins upon him and paid our debt. In return His righteousness is imputed to us. This imputation is done through faith. 

Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Verse 21 undoes all of Tim's definition. The righteousness of God without the law has been manifested and is witnessed by the law!  The law is a school master to lead us to Jesus Christ. To teach we are made righteous by keeping the law is to make the work of Christ of no effect. 

1 Cor 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Christ and Christ ALONE is our righteousness. And He is totally absent from Tim's definition. 

The Foundation

True righteousness is:

• Knowing the ways of Yah

• Walking in His commandments

• Loving His truth

• Living it from the heart

It is not religion.

It is relationship expressed through obedience.

This Week’s Reading

Take time to read and meditate on:

• Genesis 18:19

• Deuteronomy 6:25

• Psalm 119

• Matthew 5

Let Scripture define righteousness.

Foundations Series – Week 10

Because truth must be built on the right foundation.

Yah Bless.

That is Tim's conclusion. I agree the scripture should define righteousness and "truth must be built on the right foundation." However, Tim has erected a faulty foundation on sand. There is no truth here. This definition of righteousness is completely man-centered and leaves out Jesus Christ! As we have seen Tim also omitted Jesus Christ in his previous definitions of faith and covenant. For him it is all about keeping the law. If Tim is right then Christ died in vain.

Galatians 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

A Christian foundation that doesn't require Christ is not a foundation, it's a legalistic facade. There is no place or need for Jesus Christ to have faith, be in covenant with God, or to be righteous according to this scheme. Timothy Jay Schwab who is The God Culture teaches a gospel that is fundamentally Christless, graceless, and faithless.