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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

Reading Joshua with the Early Church: Ten Quotes from the Patristics

C. S. Lewis has said that for every three books we read from our century, we should read one from an earlier century. This is not because other places and other periods of time do not have a lock on truth. Other centuries have many errors, but—and this is Lewis’s point!—they do not share the … Continue reading Reading Joshua with the Early Church: Ten Quotes from the Patristics

Seeing Joshua with New Eyes: Joshua, Jesus, and the Christian Life (Joshua 1)

Seeing Joshua with New Eyes: Joshua, Jesus, and the Christian Life (Joshua 1) This week we kicked off a new sermon series at our church called “Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament: A Study of the Book of Joshua.” You can listen to the sermon here. Response questions and additional resources on Joshua and seeing … Continue reading Seeing Joshua with New Eyes: Joshua, Jesus, and the Christian Life (Joshua 1)

Getting to Know Joshua, Son of Nun, and Joshua, Son of God: Or, 10 Things About Joshua 1

This Sunday our church begins a new series on the book of Joshua. Already I’ve shared an outline of the book. Tomorrow, I’ll share how the name of Jesus is important understanding the book. In preparation for the sermon series, here are 10 more things about Joshua 1. 1. Joshua is all about . . … Continue reading Getting to Know Joshua, Son of Nun, and Joshua, Son of God: Or, 10 Things About Joshua 1

Finding the Macro-Structure of Joshua, with a Note for Expositional Preachers to Widen Their Vision

In recent years, few practices have been more fruitful for my Bible reading and preaching than (attempting to find and) discovering the structure of a biblical passage. Dave Helm and the good folks at Simeon Trust call this structure the “bone and marrow” of any passage. Just like the human body is built with interconnected … Continue reading Finding the Macro-Structure of Joshua, with a Note for Expositional Preachers to Widen Their Vision

Glory from Beginning to End: Ten Things About Psalm 29

In preparation for Sunday’s sermon, here are ten things about Psalm 29. 1. Psalm 29 is the third creation psalm and third “mountain top” in Book 1 of the Psalms. This point is easier to show than to tell. In the following graphic, we see how Psalms 8, 19, and 29 stand at the center … Continue reading Glory from Beginning to End: Ten Things About Psalm 29

The Happiness That Godly Sorrow Brings: Ten Things About Psalm 32

In preparation for Sunday’s sermon on Psalm 32, here are ten things about David’s confession of sin that leads to joyful song. 1. Psalm 32 is a hybrid psalm containing elements of thanksgiving and wisdom. Gerald Wilson calls Psalm 32 a “psalm of thanksgiving coupled with instruction encouraging the reader not to resist the guidance … Continue reading The Happiness That Godly Sorrow Brings: Ten Things About Psalm 32

How Long O Lord?!? Teaching the Laodicean Church to Lament (Psalm 13)

How Long O Lord?!? Teaching the Laodicean Church to Lament The Psalms are filled with all sorts of praise and worship, yet one of the most prominent are psalms of individual and corporate laments. Unfortunately, these psalms of sorrow rarely become our standard words of comfort and encouragement—rarely, until tragedy strikes. And then they become … Continue reading How Long O Lord?!? Teaching the Laodicean Church to Lament (Psalm 13)

The Hole In Our Praise (and Lamentation) and Worship

On my shelf I have a Celebration Hymnal: Songs and Hymns for Worship. It was published in 1997, foreworded by Jack Hayford (Pastor of The Church on the Way), and intended to provide “tools for ‘blended worship’” (from the Preface). Consisting of 865 selections, it combines new songs and old hymns, Scripture readings, and even various … Continue reading The Hole In Our Praise (and Lamentation) and Worship

Learning to Lament: Ten Things About Psalm 13

In preparation for Sunday’s sermon on the need for lament in biblical worship, here are ten observations from Psalm 13, an individual lament of David. 1. Psalm 13 is an individual psalm that was recorded for public use. Psalm 13 begins with the superscription (ss), “To the Choirmaster. A Psalm of David.” From this inspired … Continue reading Learning to Lament: Ten Things About Psalm 13

Because God Has Spoken: A Biblical Defense of Expositional Preaching (Deuteronomy 4:32–40)

Because God Has Spoken: A Biblical Defense of Expositional Preaching What is expositional preaching? And why is our church committed to it? If you have ever wondered what the Bible says about preaching, Sunday’s sermon is for you. As we considered preaching in relationship to worship, I argued that expositional preaching is not only the … Continue reading Because God Has Spoken: A Biblical Defense of Expositional Preaching (Deuteronomy 4:32–40)

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