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The Latter Days in the Old Testament

Eschatology precedes soteriology. Find out why in this essay.

Two Ages: Evaluating a Biblical concept

If the cosmos has changed over time, as redemptive history has moved from through “five worlds” from creation (Genesis 1–2) to the new creation (Revelation 21–22), then there have also been covenantal changes, too. In the beginning, God made a covenant with Adam (Gen. 2:15–17; cf. Hos. 6:7), which is often called the “covenant of works.” Then, after the flood, God re-established a covenant with Noah and all creation. As Genesis 9:8–17 reports, God hung his bow in the sky as

Getting Into Macro-Eschatology: Seeing The Five Worlds God Has Made

Last Sunday I introduced something I called “macro-eschatology.” Macro-eschatology is an approach to redemptive history that sees the end of things (eschatology) as fulfilling, restoring, and superseding the beginning of things (protology). At the center of this approach to reading the Bible is the person and the work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who stands at the center of God’s plan to unite all things in creation. As Ephesians 1:9–10 tell us, Christ is the one who will

The ABCs of Eschatology (Pt 2): 14 More Key words

Last time, I introduced fourteen key words for understanding some basic concepts in the study of last things (eschatology). Today, I will complete my basic glossary with fourteen more terms, in hopes that these definitions will help improve present and future discussions about eschatology. You can also listen to the Sunday School that explains many of these terms. And if you would like a handout of the glossary, scroll to the bottom. (15) The Intermediate and Final States. W

The ABC’s of Eschatology (Pt. 1): Key Words to understanding end times

Eschatology is a word that means the study (-ology) of last things (eschatos). And in that study there are lots of words that are familiar (*resurrection), unfamiliar (*preterist), and debated (*rapture). Likewise, terms like millennium and tribulation are ones that have multiple definitions, and figures like the *antichrist, whose common description may or may not match John’s use of the word. Knowing that sound doctrine and fruitful discussions require clear definitions,

Twelve Books to Read Before the End of the World

When I teach Systematic Theology to seminarians, I make students read two books on eschatology and I recommend about twenty. Since I recently began a Sunday School series on the subject of eschatology, I wanted to share that list with you. You can also listen to the classes here. The Two Most Important Books on Eschatology Benjamin Gladd and Matthew Harmon, Making All Things New: Inaugurated Eschatology for the Life of the Church (2016). This is my go-to book for eschatolog

A Message of Hope in the Aftermath of the Storm

Last year, when the storms ripped through Joplin, I felt helpless to do anything, so I prayed and wrote. This year, when the storms came a little closer, our church was able to help and will continue to help our neighbors. Today, in the face of destruction, it was a great sight to see many … Continue reading A Message of Hope in the Aftermath of the Storm

The Sweetness and Sacredness of Sundays

[This post is from our monthly newsletter at Calvary Baptist Church (Seymour, Indiana)]. When God created the heavens and the earth, he spoke light into existence and separated it from the darkness. On the first day, he called the light “Day” and the darkness “Night.” From the start, God’s world has run on a schedule. … Continue reading The Sweetness and Sacredness of Sundays

To Be Eaten By Worms or Cannibals: In the Resurrection It Doesn’t Matter

A number of years ago I was introduced to John Paton through the biographical sermon of John Piper on Paton, “You Will Be Eaten By Cannibals: Life Lessons from John Paton.” In that sermon, Piper records a conversation that Paton has with an elderly man in his church that is at the same time humorous … Continue reading To Be Eaten By Worms or Cannibals: In the Resurrection It Doesn’t Matter

Skip Bayless Goes Biblical on ESPN

It is not everyday that the Bible is quoted on ESPN. And it is even more rare that if the Bible is quoted it is handled correctly. This week, both of those things happened. In reacting to the controversy set off by Brady Quinn’s comments about Tim Tebow’s faith–which seem to have been reconciled— Skip … Continue reading Skip Bayless Goes Biblical on ESPN

Five Questions on Discipleship: (5) Why Should You Make Disciples?

Thus far we have asked four questions about discipleship: (1) What Did Jesus Do? (2) What is a disciple? (3) Who makes disciples? And (4) How do you make disciples? Today we finish by simply asking the question, Why? Why should you make disciples? Let me give five answers that will serve as great motivation for … Continue reading Five Questions on Discipleship: (5) Why Should You Make Disciples?

Five Questions on Discipleship: (4) How Do You Make Disciples?

As a sophomore in college, I was introduced to a little book called The Master Plan of Evangelism. After an eight week study with our Campus Crusade leadership team, I was convinced that Jesus’ pattern of disciple-making and spiritual multiplication is the way to do ministry. More than ten years later I am still convinced. … Continue reading Five Questions on Discipleship: (4) How Do You Make Disciples?

Five Questions on Discipleship: (3) Who Makes Disciples?

Yesterday we considered what a disciple is, today we answer the question: Who Makes Disciples? And I would suggest that there are two ways to answer that question. First, churches make disciples; second, mature believers make disciples. Let’s consider. Churches Make Disciples At the institutional level, God has created the church to be a disciple-making … Continue reading Five Questions on Discipleship: (3) Who Makes Disciples?

Five Questions on Discipleship: (2) What Is a Disciple?

Answering the question “What is a disciple?” is not as easy as it might first appear. First, there is a shift in the meaning of the term disciple from the gospels to the book of Acts. For instance, in John 6, many of Jesus’ “disciples” leave him. These are the ones who follow him to … Continue reading Five Questions on Discipleship: (2) What Is a Disciple?

Five Questions on Discipleship: (1) What Did Jesus Do?

A number of years ago, I followed the Christian crowd and wore the trendy WWJD bracelet. For those who have forgotten (or never heard), the letters stood for “What would Jesus do?” Developed from the book In His Steps, by Charles Sheldon, a book that favored a social gospel and promoted a man-centered kind of Christian imitation, … Continue reading Five Questions on Discipleship: (1) What Did Jesus Do?

Beware of Many Lawful Things: A Word of Warning from J. C. Ryle

This morning we considered the lives of Martha and Mary. While silent, Mary gives the world a beautiful example of how we ought to respond to Christ. Simultaneously, Martha supplies us a counter-example of what happens when busy Christians get distracted by many good things instead of seeking the one thing that is needful. On … Continue reading Beware of Many Lawful Things: A Word of Warning from J. C. Ryle

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