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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

Wide are God’s Mercies: Giving Public Praise to Our Lord for His Ongoing Work at Our Church

My companion stretched out his hand against his friends; he violated his covenant. 21 His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords. 22 Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous … Continue reading Wide are God’s Mercies: Giving Public Praise to Our Lord for His Ongoing Work at Our Church

The New Church Down the Street: How Churches and Church Plants Can Love One Another

You think of how many church plants, unfortunately, often happen today. Maybe they happen just down the street of another church that agrees with them entirely in their theology. And you think, well, maybe we should have had a conversation before you started a church just down the street. Was this going to be a … Continue reading The New Church Down the Street: How Churches and Church Plants Can Love One Another

The Sons of God: Three Interpretations of Genesis 6:1–4

Figment. Absurd. Gross. These are but three of the names John Calvin calls the position I hold on Genesis 6. And while, he doesn’t employ his most common insult (stupid!), I am sure he would have little trouble applying that label to the view that angels had sexual relations with women, such that the Nephilim … Continue reading The Sons of God: Three Interpretations of Genesis 6:1–4

What Should We Do With 1 Enoch? A Biblical Approach to Extra-Biblical Literature

In Genesis 6 we find the curious introduction to a group of people (?) called the Nephilim. In verse 4, the ESV reads, “The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were … Continue reading What Should We Do With 1 Enoch? A Biblical Approach to Extra-Biblical Literature

With Genuine Repentance Comes Pardon: John Calvin on How to Seek and Grant Forgiveness

Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. – Matthew 18:21–22 – What happens when someone asks for forgiveness, but all outward … Continue reading With Genuine Repentance Comes Pardon: John Calvin on How to Seek and Grant Forgiveness

The Hill of Eden: Seeing the Topography of Genesis 2–4

In recent weeks, my sermons on Genesis 3–4 have made much of the fact that the Garden of Eden is found on a mountain. In recounting the drama of Adam, Eve, the Serpent, and the Lord (Genesis 3), as well as Cain and Abel (Genesis 4), I have argued that the topography of Eden plays … Continue reading The Hill of Eden: Seeing the Topography of Genesis 2–4

What Happened on Holy Saturday? A Few Reflections on Matthew 27:52–53

The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. — Matthew 27:52–53 — What happened on Holy Saturday, the day situated between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday? That … Continue reading What Happened on Holy Saturday? A Few Reflections on Matthew 27:52–53

Jesus is Prophet, Priest, and King: A Good Friday Meditation

On this Good Friday, I want to share a meditation from Alexander Watson (1815?–1865) related to the cross of Christ and the way Jesus’s death brought to fulfillment his triple office of prophet, priest, and king. But first, a little background. Seven Sayings and Seven Sermons For the last six years (beginning in 2018), I … Continue reading Jesus is Prophet, Priest, and King: A Good Friday Meditation

A Primer on Elder-Led Congregationalism

Sometime in seminary, my ecclesiology class was tasked with defining a biblical view of church polity. Here is that paper, refined and updated. It argues for an unmistakably Baptist reading of the Bible, as it conjoins congregational authority with elder leadership. ******* Should the church be congregational or should it be led by a plurality … Continue reading A Primer on Elder-Led Congregationalism

The First Day of the Lord (Genesis 3): Seven Reasons the Fall Occurred on the Seventh Day

A few weeks ago, in a sermon on Genesis 3:8–13, I made the case that the events of Genesis 3 took place on the seventh day of the creation week, not some undefined time after the creation week. Instead of seeing Adam and Eve having days or weeks of communion with God in the Garden … Continue reading The First Day of the Lord (Genesis 3): Seven Reasons the Fall Occurred on the Seventh Day

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