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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

The Insufficiency of Biblical Theology ?

Over the last thirty years, evangelicalism has seen a strong resurgence and appeal for biblical theology. Evidences of this are the expanding series of books edited by D.A. Carson, New Studies in Biblical Theology; the New Dictionary for Biblical Theology; and the rising appeal of the subject among younger evangelicals. Just come to Southern Seminary, … Continue reading The Insufficiency of Biblical Theology ?

Book Review: The Kingdom of God

Bright, John. The Kingdom of God: The Biblical Concept and Its Meaning For the Church. Nashville: Abingdon,1953. If you like Graeme Goldsworthy, you will like John Bright; and if you come to John Bright’s book, The Kingdom of God, already familiar with Goldsworthy’s According to Plan, you will recognize some similar elements. Bright unites the entire Bible along the … Continue reading Book Review: The Kingdom of God

The Hourglass of Biblical History

In his discussion of biblical history and the relationship between Old Testament Israel and the New Testament Church, John Bright correctly observes: Through the Old Testament the reader senses that the focus has been continually narrowed. It begins with the broad canvas of creation and tells of the dealings of God with the whole race … Continue reading The Hourglass of Biblical History

John Bright on Biblical Intertextuality

John Bright, in his book The Kingdom of God, offers a very historically-enriching and theologically-astute presentation of the kingdom which unifies the entire Bible. I have benefitted much from reading it, especially in the way that he looks at the people under God’s rule as a unified and yet developing body of believers. In this outline, … Continue reading John Bright on Biblical Intertextuality

Reformed Forums’ Interview with Richard Gamble

The guys from Reformed Forum posted their recent interview with Richard Gamble, Professor of Systematic Theology at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary and author of the recently released The Whole Counsel Of God, vol. 1. Their conversation ranged from the relationship of biblical theology to systematics to the massive task of compiling a biblical, systematic, and historical theology to … Continue reading Reformed Forums’ Interview with Richard Gamble

Receiving and Believing the Word of God

When was the last time you started your car and consciously thought about the internal combustion engine involved? Or how often do you eat and enjoy a meal without knowing the way it was prepared or the origin of all its ingredients? Or more technically, do you ever think about the processes involved to make Wifi … Continue reading Receiving and Believing the Word of God

Herman Bavinck on Scripture’s Fuller Sense

In volume 1 of his Reformed Dogmatics, Herman Bavinck reflects on the multiple ways in which the New Testament authors use and apply the Old Testament. In the discussions that swirl today on this subject, it is noteworthy that he writes in favor of sensus plenior. He says, In the case of Jesus and the … Continue reading Herman Bavinck on Scripture’s Fuller Sense

A Helpful Primer on Justification

Trevin Wax has put together a helpful primer on the justification debate that has been raging between John Piper and N.T. Wright. You can check it out at Christianity Today. The New Testament professors here at Southern Seminary also discussed this subject a few months ago. You can hear the round table discussion between Drs. Tom Schreiner, Brian … Continue reading A Helpful Primer on Justification

The Theologian’s Task

What is the task of a Christian theologian? Or more generally, what is the task of understanding Christian doctrine? Herman Bavinck answers that question in the opening chapter of his four-volume Reformed Dogmatics. He writes, The imperative task of the dogmatician [or theologian] is to think God’s thoughts after him and to trace their unity. His … Continue reading The Theologian’s Task

The Ways of Our God: God’s People (3)

In The Ways of Our God: An Approach to Biblical Theology, Charles Scobie moves in chapters 11-15 to speaks about God’s People. Continuing to expound a multi-thematic approach to biblical theology, he shows how God has from the very foundation of the world worked in covenant relationship with his people and how he will continue … Continue reading The Ways of Our God: God’s People (3)

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