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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 Better Way to do Church Missions

David Prince and Jeremy Haskins, pastors at Ashland Avenue Baptist Church in Lexington, KY, were recently interviewed in The Towers at Southern Seminary. They were asked to describe their leadership philosophies and how they have led change at their church. Their interview is steeped with wisdom, but one section concerning corporate, Gospel-centered ministry stood out. “A … Continue reading A Better Way to do Church Missions

What is the Gospel?

On the The Gospel Coalition website is a short explanation of the gospel by D.A. Carson. In his concise chapter on “The Biblical Gospel” from For Such a Time as This: Perspectives on Evangelicalism, Past, Present and Future (p. 75-85), Carson defines the gospel by its connection to the entire corpus of the biblical narrative. He writes, Thus … Continue reading What is the Gospel?

Via Emmaus: A Christ-Centered Walk Through the Bible

On Wednesday nights, I am teaching through the Bible book-by-book. So far, it has been an amazing and challenging process to study, synthesize, and articulate the contents of each book of the Bible. And after a slow start, we are beginning to make headway. We just finished 2 Samuel. Each week, I prepare an outline … Continue reading Via Emmaus: A Christ-Centered Walk Through the Bible

Providence & Peace(making)

Providence and peace go together. Providence makes peace possible; and peace is the fruit of a genuine trust in God’s providence. In truth, I would venture to say that an insufficient and/or underestimated view of God’s providence will in time undermine your peace. Or to say it another way, your peace in the midst of … Continue reading Providence & Peace(making)

March Madness

One of the great diseases of our day is trifling. The things with which most people spend most of their time are trivial. And what makes this a disease is that we were meant to live for magnificent causes. None of us is really content with the trivial pursuits of the world. Our souls will … Continue reading March Madness

Feeding on the Word

But [Jesus] answered, “It is written,‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew, quoting Jesus, quoting Moses, quoting YHWH Matthew 4:4; Deuteronomy 8:4 Words, words, words. The world is filled with words. Words inform. Express. Empower. Kill. Make peace. And give life. Proverbs 18:21 … Continue reading Feeding on the Word

Book Review: Deep Church by Jim Belcher

Jim Belcher, Deep Church: A Third Way Beyond Emerging and Traditional (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2009). Jim Belcher has written an irenic and constructive proposal for charting a course somewhere between traditional churches and emerging churches. He calls it “deep church,” and it is his proposal for a “third way” to do church. Belcher’s … Continue reading Book Review: Deep Church by Jim Belcher

Hungry for the Word?

“Behold the days are coming,” declares the Lord God, “when I will send a famine on the land–not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, to seek … Continue reading Hungry for the Word?

Biblical Theology in the Life of the Church

The ‘Second Mark’ of a “Healthy Church” is Biblical Theology (see Nine Marks of Healthy Church), but because of its sweeping synthesis of the Bible, Biblical Theology is also one of the most confusing disciplines to church members. At least, this has been my experience introducing the ‘Big Picture’ of the Bible to the churches … Continue reading Biblical Theology in the Life of the Church

Pascal on the Glory and the Garbage of the Universe

Graham Cole quotes Blaise Pascal in his chapter, “The Glory and Garbage of the Universe” (God the Peacemaker). With arresting language, Pascal bemoans of our condition: What sort of freak then is man! How novel, how monstruous, how chaotic, how paradoxical, how prodigious! Judge of all things, feeble earth-worm, repository of truth, sink of doubt and error, … Continue reading Pascal on the Glory and the Garbage of the Universe

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