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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

Creation by the Numbers

Today many in our church and all over the world began their yearly Bible reading plan. I did. And one of the features found in Genesis 1 is the fact that God made plants (v. 12) and animals (v. 21), “according to their own kinds.” While scientists, Bible scholars, and Christians apologists have argued for … Continue reading Creation by the Numbers

Teach the Bible Through in a Year: Tips and Tools

If you have or if you would think about teaching through the whole Bible in 2011 or in any year, let me encourage you to think about a couple things that I learned as I taught through the whole Bible in 2010. Tips First, if you are a rookie pastor or just entering a church, … Continue reading Teach the Bible Through in a Year: Tips and Tools

Through the Bible in 2010: Evidence of God’s Grace

How important is Bible reading and interpretation? Consider this: On the day that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead–arguably the most significant day in world history–Jesus spent 1/8, maybe 1/6, of the day interpreting Scripture to two wayward disciples on the way to Emmaus. Over the course of a few hours, Jesus showed these … Continue reading Through the Bible in 2010: Evidence of God’s Grace

The Gospel of Jesus Christ: A Better Investment Than Gold

[Preparing for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, I wrote an article for our church’s monthly newsletter on a gospel-motivated vision for giving to the work of Jesus Christ in spreading his fame throughout the earth. Needless to say, giving to the kingdom of God is an investment worth more than the weight of gold, but … Continue reading The Gospel of Jesus Christ: A Better Investment Than Gold

The Biblical Authors as Biblical Theologians

This morning I began reading Jim Hamilton’s new book, God’s Glory in Salvation Through Judgment, where he begins with an apologetic for biblical theology. In his first chapter, he makes an obvious but often overlooked point: the biblical authors inspired of God were involved in the task of biblical theology. He writes, [B]iblical theology is … Continue reading The Biblical Authors as Biblical Theologians

Politics According to the Bible (5): The Courts

[This is the fifth in a series of posts on Wayne Grudem’s Politics According to the Bible: A Comprehensive Resource for Understanding Modern Political Issues in Light of Scripture]. ULTIMATE POWER In his final chapter in the section on basic principles, Grudem explains the way in which the United States government established its ‘separations of powers.’ … Continue reading Politics According to the Bible (5): The Courts

What is the Law of Christ?

In Galatians, a letter that denounces the works of the law (see 2:16), Paul argues that Christians ought to fulfill the law by love (Gal 5:13-14) and to fulfill the law of Christ (Gal 6:2). However, a good investigative question in Galatians 6:2 is “What is the law of Christ?” and “What is it doing … Continue reading What is the Law of Christ?

Environmentalism, Capitalism, Wealth, and Taxation: A Guest Post From David Crater

I am thankful for friends who think biblically and who challenge me to think more faithfully about matters of life that I have limited expertise. David Crater is one of those friends who has helped me to think through many matters pertaining to church, theology, and now public policy. I met Dave in seminary, and … Continue reading Environmentalism, Capitalism, Wealth, and Taxation: A Guest Post From David Crater

On Therapeutic (Non)Christianity

Bryan College professor, J. Daryl Charles, provides a good critique of the therapeutic turn in modern evangelicalism. He writes, “In contrast to the traditional model [i.e. the biblical model traditionally understood] of morality, informed by Christian religion and expressed through varying degrees of self-restraint and self-accountability, the new model was permissive, allowing the self to … Continue reading On Therapeutic (Non)Christianity

Politics According to the Bible (4): A Biblical Worldview

[This is the fourth in a series of posts on Wayne Grudem’s Politics According to the Bible: A Comprehensive Resource for Understanding Modern Political Issues in Light of Scripture]. Before moving forward in his investigation of “politics according the Bible,” Grudem spends a short chapter reviewing the basics tenets of the Christian Worldview. To most thoughtful … Continue reading Politics According to the Bible (4): A Biblical Worldview

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