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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

Doctrine and Life: Let Us Not Divorce What God Has Joined Together

Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching [doctrine]. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. — 1 Timothy 4:16 — Doctrine and life. Life and doctrine. In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he calls his pastoral protegé to embrace both and not let go … Continue reading Doctrine and Life: Let Us Not Divorce What God Has Joined Together

Brother-Theologians: Preach the Word!

A few years ago I wrote this article on David Prince’s website. As I go to teach Systematic Theology 1 this week, I am reminded of it, and the need for theologians to be preachers. In theology, we are not just called to study and store up knowledge of truth. We are called to study … Continue reading Brother-Theologians: Preach the Word!

Who Can Stand Before His Cold? A Biblical Meditation on God’s Snow

“He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs; who can stand before his cold?” — Psalm 147:17 — As we sit in Northern Virginia under blue skies and a blanket of snow, we wait for roads to be cleared and power to return. Yesterday, in less than six hours our warm Sunday turned into … Continue reading Who Can Stand Before His Cold? A Biblical Meditation on God’s Snow

A Grace That Endures: Eleven Words of Comfort in Times of Crisis (Psalm 119:25–32)

Amazing grace, How sweet the sound / That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I am found, / Was blind, but now I see. ‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, / And grace my fears relieved. How precious did that grace appear / The hour I first believed. … Continue reading A Grace That Endures: Eleven Words of Comfort in Times of Crisis (Psalm 119:25–32)

The Via Emmaus Bible Reading Plan: January Resources for Genesis, Isaiah, and Matthew

Track 1: Genesis Track 2: Isaiah Track 3: Matthew If you have other resources on these books, please feel free to share. May the Lord bless you and keep you and make his face shine upon you as you draw near to him in his Word. The Via Emmaus Bible Reading Plan Tracks[1] Old Testament … Continue reading The Via Emmaus Bible Reading Plan: January Resources for Genesis, Isaiah, and Matthew

Raising Oaks of Righteousness: Ten Public Disciplines to Consider in the New Year

At the beginning of the year, we should be considering habits and practices that will build our most holy faith (Jude 21) for the next 365 days. Such disciplines begin with personal habits that enable us to commune with God. And books on practicing spiritual disciplines typically have about a dozen habits to consider. For … Continue reading Raising Oaks of Righteousness: Ten Public Disciplines to Consider in the New Year

From Death to Life: How Joshua Gives Us Resurrection Hope in the Midst of Loss

Moses was dead to begin with. — Joshua 1:1 — Marley was dead to begin with. — Charles Dickens — When Charles Dickens wrote the opening line to A Christmas Carol, he touched off one of the most wonderful Christmas stories ever told. Marley, the miserly associate of Ebenezer Scrooge, was dead and now all eyes turned to … Continue reading From Death to Life: How Joshua Gives Us Resurrection Hope in the Midst of Loss

Listen, Read, Study, and Repeat: Bible Intake for the New Year

In his must-read book Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, Donald Whitney offers two chapters on Bible Intake. In the first of those two chapters he lists (1) hearing, (2) reading, and (3) studying as three key ways to imbibing, ingesting, and embracing God’s Word. With those disciplines in mind, let me offer a few … Continue reading Listen, Read, Study, and Repeat: Bible Intake for the New Year

Reading for Scripture Saturation: Renewing the Via Emmaus Bible Reading Plan in 2022

9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. 12 Blessed are you, O Lord; … Continue reading Reading for Scripture Saturation: Renewing the Via Emmaus Bible Reading Plan in 2022

The Seed of the Woman Wins (Revelation 12): How Reading Revelation Rightly Gives Us Lasting Hope

Any time you read Revelation, it is like stepping out of reality and into a carnival of mirrors. Only those mirrors do not, or should not, reflect our own faces, so much as they reflect the prophets of the Old Testament, whose faces were reflected the glory of God’s Son. While Revelation is a book … Continue reading The Seed of the Woman Wins (Revelation 12): How Reading Revelation Rightly Gives Us Lasting Hope

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