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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

Holy War in the Bible: Before, During, and After the Battle

Exodus 15 is the first of many accounts in the Bible of “Holy War,” where God himself is the Divine Warrior. Explicitly in Exodus 15:3, we learn that God is called “a man of warrior” or “a warrior,” however, this is just the tip of the iceberg. The Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, … Continue reading Holy War in the Bible: Before, During, and After the Battle

What do you do on Thursday evenings?

[This article was originally featured in our hometown newspaper, The Seymour Tribune under the title “Mother’s Lessons Key in Founding of Church.” For clarification: This article is for parents and especially mothers, encouraging them to redeem the time wisely and to invest their lives in eternal things. Its main point is not meant to be about the founding … Continue reading What do you do on Thursday evenings?

John Flavel on Decision-Making

Decision-making is an incumbent challenge for all Christians. And too many make too much of the process–putting out a fleece, praying for a sign, and asking God for a personal revelation. Unbiblical superstition is the result of this (pagan) activity, and a result Christian’s depend less on God’s Word and take less responsibility for their … Continue reading John Flavel on Decision-Making

Puritan Manliness

A man who loves God’s Word is one of God’s choicest servants. In fact, only those who regularly meditate on God’s word can be called manly men, as defined by the Bible. On that subject, Baptist pastor I.D.E. Thomas writes of the Puritans as exemplars of this kind of word-centered manliness. These men [the Puritans] … Continue reading Puritan Manliness

Reflections on the SBC

[This is the report that I shared with our church upon my return from the Southern Baptist Convention]. This year’s Southern Baptist Convention in Phoenix, Arizona was the smallest gathering of Southern Baptists since World War II (1944). However, its diminutive size (approx. 4,800 messengers) should not discount the importance of the two-day convention (June … Continue reading Reflections on the SBC

If You Want to Reap Joy, Plan for Peace

[This article was originally featured in our hometown newspaper, The Seymour Tribune] Anxiety, misery, and bitterness are feelings that no one wants, but that many have. If we pause to assess our lives and our world, we quickly discover scads of broken promises, shattered dreams, and hurtful relationships. These things rob our joy and eviscerate our peace. … Continue reading If You Want to Reap Joy, Plan for Peace

From Jubal to the Jukebox to Jesus: You Were Made to Sing

[This article was originally featured in our hometown newspaper, The Seymour Tribune] You were created to sing. But you already knew that because you are likely already listening to something, if only the jingle that is stuck in your head. Whatever your preference, music is a defining element in our lives. It’s always been this … Continue reading From Jubal to the Jukebox to Jesus: You Were Made to Sing

Legal Gospel-Centered Literature in China

Michael Haykin gives an encouraging report on a developing missions opportunity in China. It is called the Robert Morrison Project, and it is working to produce gospel-centered, Reformed literature in China–a country known for its antagonism towards Christianity. Here are some of the statistics: About the year 2003 it became possible to legally publish some … Continue reading Legal Gospel-Centered Literature in China

The Genre of Genesis: A Soap Opera Under The Sovereignty of God

One of the most helpful things I have learned in the last few years about reading Scripture is the importance of determining the literary genre 0f any portion of Scripture. For instance, to read Daniel’s apocalyptic visions with Pauline precision is to wind up with an overly literal reading, missing the ‘visual effect’ of the … Continue reading The Genre of Genesis: A Soap Opera Under The Sovereignty of God

Reading Genesis 1-11

Today I preached Genesis 1-11: “In the Beginning: Creation, Corruption, and Christ.” I love this section of Scripture because it is pregnant with so many themes that are developed in the rest of the Bible. For instance, you can see the whole pattern of Creation-Fall-Redemption-New Creation if you pay careful attention to the literary structures … Continue reading Reading Genesis 1-11

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