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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

Christ’s Priestly Garments (Exodus 28)

Read by itself and without understanding how it fits in the larger narrative of Exodus and the rest of the Bible, Exodus 28 sounds like a cross between a jeweler’s catalogue and a tailor’s procedural manual. If seen in this way alone, it can make Exodus 28 feel unfamiliar and unimportant. However, what Exodus 28 … Continue reading Christ’s Priestly Garments (Exodus 28)

A Bag of Treats or a River of Delights: A Halloween Parable

In a few weeks children, teenagers, and some adults will adorn super-hero suits, clown wigs, and other silly costumes all for the purpose of having some seasonal fun and gathering a bag full of candy. Good Christians differ on what to do with this holiday, and without stepping into that firing line, I simply want … Continue reading A Bag of Treats or a River of Delights: A Halloween Parable

The Tabernacle as a Royal Victory Palace

A Royal Palace Finally, the tabernacle is a royal palace, built with the materials plundered from the defeated Egyptians (Exod 12:35-36; 25:3-7). In this way, the tabernacle is a memorial to the King of Israel’s victory over the king of Egypt. Like the Arc D’Triumph that marked Napoleon’s greatest victory over his enemies, or like … Continue reading Sermon Notes: The Tabernacle as a Royal Victory Palace

The Tabernacle as God’s Meeting Place

A Tent of Meeting The holiness of God in his sanctuary is matched by the plan for God to meet with his people at the tabernacle. Now to avoid confusion, it should be said that later, in Exodus 33:7-11 to be exact, there will be a tent constructed that is called the “tent of meeting.” … Continue reading Sermon Notes: The Tabernacle as God’s Meeting Place

The Tabernacle as a Holy Abode

Yesterday, we considered how the tabernacle served as a typological model meant to instruct Israel and us about God’s world, God’s plans for salvation, and what it means for the Creator to dwell with his redeemed creation. Today, we will look at the way God’s house is a holy abode. In Exodus 25:8, Moses records God’s … Continue reading Sermon Notes: The Tabernacle as a Holy Abode

The Tabernacle as a Typological Model

When we think about the tabernacle, the first thing to realize is that it is more than meets the eye. In other words, the tabernacle is built to show off theological, cosmological, and Christological truths–just to name a few. Today, lets consider a couple of these things. 1. A Portable Mountain of God First up, … Continue reading Sermon Notes: The Tabernacle as a Typological Model

From Zoloft to Zion: Why Your Sadness Might Be Your Salvation

[This article originally featured in our hometown newspaper, The Seymour Tribune] Do you remember the Zoloft commercials? They were the anti-depressant ads that featured a cute little cartoon blob, experiencing the emotional transformation that Zoloft promised millions of Americans. At the ad’s conclusion, they quipped “When you know more about what is wrong, you can make … Continue reading From Zoloft to Zion: Why Your Sadness Might Be Your Salvation

Ten Cultural Christs

Jesus asked Peter in Matthew 16:13 the most important question in the Bible when he queried, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” How we answer that question is of eternal importance. Sadly, many “Christians” today would have trouble defining who Jesus is because Jesus has been co-opted to promote so many … Continue reading Ten Cultural Christs

God is a Wise Lover: A Helpful Illustration from R. L. Dabney on the Wisdom and Benevolence of God

In his Systematic Theology, 19th C. theologian, R.L. Dabney, provides two helpful illustrations explaining how our infinitely good God can at times, for reasons left unknown to us, constrain the excellencies of his love for purposes of greater good. In the first illustration, he writes, “For instance a philanthropic man meets a distressed and destitute … Continue reading God is a Wise Lover: A Helpful Illustration from R. L. Dabney on the Wisdom and Benevolence of God

A History Lesson on Hyper-Calvinism

In 2006, Ergun Caner preached a message called “Why I am Predestined not to be a Hyper-Calvinist!” His message at the Thomas Road Baptist Church confused the differences between Calvinism and Hyper-Calvinism, and finished with a deplorable illustration where Caner suggested that in heaven he would stand up and declare the rightness of his views. For … Continue reading A History Lesson on Hyper-Calvinism

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