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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 Trinity in Biblical Theological Perspective: A Mystery without mysterion

(This is an excerpt from a recent paper I wrote, “The Trinity in the Old Testament: A Present But Elusive Mystery.” It suggests that the development of the Trinity in the Bible follows a mystery-revelation pattern.) Mystery without mysterion In his essay entitled “Mystery and Fulfillment” in Justification and Variegated Nomism, vol. 2, D. A. … Continue reading The Trinity in Biblical Theological Perspective: A Mystery without mysterion

King David: The High Point of Old Testament Typology

For the last few weeks I have been considering the subject of typology and Christology in the OT, asking the question: Is there a progressive and increasing nature to the conception of typology in the Old Testament? Looking particularly at personal types of Christ in the OT (i.e. Adam, Noah, Abraham, David, etc…), I believe that … Continue reading King David: The High Point of Old Testament Typology

B.B. Warfield Was A Biblical Theologian

Over the last few weeks, I have been reading some Benjamin Breckenridge Warfield. He was a prolific systematic theologian (see his collected Works) and an unashamed apologist for the Bible. So I guess it shouldn’t come as a surprise that entering into his writings that one quickly discovers just how biblical he is. For instance, his article on … Continue reading B.B. Warfield Was A Biblical Theologian

Herman Bavinck and Peter Enns on an Incarnational Analogy of Scripture

Peter Enns, in an online article about the authority of Scripture, summarizes his understanding of Scripture’s authority with a quote by Herman Bavinck. Appealing to the systematician’s understanding that the two natures of Christ parallel the two natures of Scripture, Enns writes: I can think of no better way of expressing this idea [the incarnational analogy] … Continue reading Herman Bavinck and Peter Enns on an Incarnational Analogy of Scripture

Bauckham’s Jesus and The God of Israel (pt. 2): Other Studies in NT Christology

Bauckham, Richard. Jesus and the God of Israel: God Crucified and Other Studies on the New Testament’s Christology of Divine Identity. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008. Chapters 2-8 Chapter 2 was first published in Out of Egypt, volume 5 in the Scripture and Hermeneutics series, and addresses the “problems of monotheism” in recent interpretation. Bauckham spends … Continue reading Bauckham’s Jesus and The God of Israel (pt. 2): Other Studies in NT Christology

Happy St. Patrick’s Day :: Green Means Go!

What comes to mind when you think of St. Patrick’s Day? Leprechauns. Ireland. A pot of gold. Wearing green or drinking green beer. If that is it, your understanding of this celebrated day is divorced from history and the real Patrick of Ireland. Today on Moore to the Point, Dr. Russell Moore gives a brief … Continue reading Happy St. Patrick’s Day :: Green Means Go!

Bauckham’s Jesus and The God of Israel (1): God Crucified

Bauckham, Richard. Jesus and the God of Israel: God Crucified and Other Studies on the New Testament’s Christology of Divine Identity. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008. Chapter 1: God Crucified Richard Bauckham is an insightful and well-published New Testament scholar from the United Kingdom. In Jesus and the God of Israel, he expands his shorter 1998 work, … Continue reading Bauckham’s Jesus and The God of Israel (1): God Crucified

Biblical Theology Basics

Timmy Brister, SBTS grad and assoc. pastor at Grace Baptist Church, has done a great service for his congregation and all those interested in learning more about biblical theology. In conjunction with a study on healthy church membership from Thabiti Anyabwile’s book, What is a Healthy Church Member?, Brister has posted a series of helpful blogs that describe biblical … Continue reading Biblical Theology Basics

Being Human Rules!

Good friend, Chip Dean, taught the doctrine of humanity to his youth group last year and used this title, “Being Human Rules!” Reading through Theological Interpretation of the Old Testament I came across a quote that reminded me of that series and that encapsulates a biblical understanding of humanity. Ernest Lucas describes the scene in … Continue reading Being Human Rules!

Herman Bavinck is my Homeboy

Only in the last couple weeks have I been able to read some of the works of Herman Bavinck, and I have to admit, I am hooked already. The English translation of Bavinck’s 4-volume Reformed Dogmatics was completed last year, and so the English-speaking church is only now benefitting from Bavinck’s thoroughly-Reformed and massive work . His magnum … Continue reading Herman Bavinck is my Homeboy

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