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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

Can God Suffer?

Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said that only a suffering God can help. But is that true? Is that biblical? Can God suffer, and if so, how does that help? The classical position in church history has been that God does not suffer. This view is the doctrine of divine impassibility. Yet, in the last century, this doctrine … Continue reading Can God Suffer?

The Craft of Research: An Unwitting Exposition of the Cultural Mandate

Reading The Craft of Research by Wayne Booth, Gregory Colomb, and Joseph Williams, I came across this thought-provoking quote: Teachers at all levels devote their lives to research. Governments spend billions on it, businesses even more. Research goes on in laboratories and libraries, in jungles and ocean depths, in caves and in outer space, in … Continue reading The Craft of Research: An Unwitting Exposition of the Cultural Mandate

The Gospel of Genesis (Review)

Warren Austin Gage, The Gospel of Genesis: Studies in Protology and Eschatology (Winona Lake, IN: Carpenter Books, 1984). If you like Gregory Beale, Meredith Kline, and William Dumbrell, then you will like Warren Austin Gage. Advocating typology, predictive prophecy, and God’s sovereign designs over history, Dr. Gage, Old Testament professor at Knox Theological Seminary, constructs a compelling case … Continue reading The Gospel of Genesis (Review)

Israel On Your Mind?

Sitting in Dr. Russell Moore’s Systematic III class and then again in his Eschatology class, I became convinced from the Scriptures that Israel is not just a what, but a who. And that who is Jesus Christ. Today, with Israel in the headlines and just returning from the “Promised Land” himself, Dr. Moore summarizes his thoughts on the future of Israel. It … Continue reading Israel On Your Mind?

Faithful Exegesis: A Mark of Humility

Colin Adams, at Unashamed Workman, posts a thought-provoking nugget this morning about the faithful exegesis and the example of John Calvin. He writes: There are many loose ends in Scripture. All too frequently in my preaching I feel gravely tempted to tie some of those ends together: or at least to make educated guesses regarding … Continue reading Faithful Exegesis: A Mark of Humility

Father, Son, & Holy Spirit by Bruce Ware

In six biblically-saturated, clearly-articulated chapters, Southern Seminary professor Bruce Ware develops an historical, biblical, and practical look at one of the church’ most mystifying doctrines–the doctrine of the Trinity. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is densely packed with biblical data, but clearly outlined to help provided an accessible grip on the uniqueness of each member of the Godhead. … Continue reading Father, Son, & Holy Spirit by Bruce Ware

Brothers & Sisters: Play Your Position!

Today on the CBMW Gender Blog, Jeff Robinson provides part one of a review of the new book by Mark Chanski, Womanly Dominion: More Than A Gentle and Quiet Spirit. Here is powerful word picture that Robinson includes from Chanski: Due to high-powered feminist social pressures, they’ve got to keep telling themselves, ‘Play your position!’” Chanski writes. … Continue reading Brothers & Sisters: Play Your Position!

Oscar Cullman on Irenaeus and Redemptive History

Here is a great quote from Oscar Cullmann that shows the centrality and importance that redemptive history had for Irenaeus and should have for us. He rightly understood that Christian preaching divorced from the fullness of redemptive history, had no vitality. May our preaching be filled with biblical theology and its Christ-centered, gospel witness. Here is the quote … Continue reading Oscar Cullman on Irenaeus and Redemptive History

How do you order the books of the Old Testament?

Last week, on Moore to the Point, Jim Hamilton presented a compact and compelling case for reading the Old Testament according to the earliest Hebrew organization: Torah, Prophets (Naviim), Writings (Ketuvim). Citing Roger Beckwith and David Noel Freedman, Hamilton argued that we should consider the interpretive ramifications canonical arrangement has on our biblical theology, and make adjustments … Continue reading How do you order the books of the Old Testament?

Take This Book and Read :: 2009 Bible Reading Plans

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and … Continue reading Take This Book and Read :: 2009 Bible Reading Plans

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