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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

Gary Thomas on Marriage and Evangelism

In his book, Sacred Marriage, Gary Thomas, offers an edifying manual for marriage. Thomas considers God’s ultimate purpose for marriage and proposes that marriage is not just about self-gratifying happiness, but primarily about spiritual holiness. His emphasis is that God has designed marriage in such a way as to use it for the sanctification of his saints. This … Continue reading Gary Thomas on Marriage and Evangelism

And his name will be…

Titus Stephen! After a few months of deliberation, the decision has been made and is now made public. Titus, which means “big and strong” or “giant” (for Wendy’s sake we prefer the former) and Stephen, which means “crown,” both come from the New Testament. Both NT men were servants of the Lord and models of … Continue reading And his name will be…

Heaven on Earth: RDM’s reflections on heaven

Today, on his weekly blog, “commentary,” Russell Moore reflects on the “earthy”-ness of heaven. Sitting under his teaching at Southern Seminary and church, the Lord has used Dr. Moore in profound ways to shape my own understanding of eschatology and how good it will be to taste and see (both corporeal activities) the Risen Christ … Continue reading Heaven on Earth: RDM’s reflections on heaven

Poythress on Biblical Theology and Biblical Theologies

Vern Poythress, in the Westminster Theological Journal (70/1 [2008] 129-42), writes a thought-provoking article about different “Kinds of Biblical Theology.” His aim is “to reassess the present-day possibilities for biblical theology’s relation to systematic theology” and to show how one cannot be done without the other. To start, Poythress sketches a brief history of the term, … Continue reading Poythress on Biblical Theology and Biblical Theologies

Theo-logy: Let us press on to know and love the Lord

When you put the emphasis on the wrong syllable, theology turns from the sanctifying, edifying, doxological study of the Trinitarian God to the self-absorbed, glory-seeking, academic discipline of God-study. For in the compound word, theos and logos supply two possible centers of focus. Attention to the former is good and right because it highlights and exalts God in all his manifold … Continue reading Theo-logy: Let us press on to know and love the Lord

Sex in the Service of God

When was the last time that you read a book or a chapter and had your worldview rocked? Where as soon as you finished the chapter, you wanted to start it again? When the result of extended meditation on the book actually changed your thinking and your view of life? For me this has come from … Continue reading Sex in the Service of God

Singing the Psalms

Do you sing the Psalms? If not, why not? Joe Holland makes a strong argument for including the Psalms in our corporate worship and daily lives. His blog on “Rediscovering the Psalms” makes a case for the value and vitality of finding a good Psalter and singing God’s word. He writes of an encounter with … Continue reading Singing the Psalms

Biblical-Theological Resources on the Psalter

This summer our Adult Bible Fellowship, Wellum’s Couples, has been studying the book of Psalms. Attempting to read the Psalter as a canonical unit, instead of 150 disjointed praises and laments, Dr. Wellum has been showing us the themes and the biblical-theological connections established in the Psalms. This weekend, I had the privilege of teaching … Continue reading Biblical-Theological Resources on the Psalter

Land Ho!!! A Biblical Theology of the Land

Three years ago I had the privilege of traveling to Israel. On a mission trip with my church, we spent nearly two weeks touring the country and participating in evangelistic efforts in places like Haifa, Tiberias, and Tel Aviv. It was an incredible experience to tell a young Israeli whose barber shop opened up … Continue reading Land Ho!!! A Biblical Theology of the Land

Postfoundationalism as Spiritual Adultery

This last semester, I spent a good deal of time reading about, thinking through, and writing on the subject of “postfoundationalism,” the postmodern, postconservative, postevangelical theology of the late Stanley Grenz, John Franke, Roger Olson, and a handful of others. In my readings, one recurring feature was the denial of Scripture’s sufficiency. For instance in Beyond … Continue reading Postfoundationalism as Spiritual Adultery

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