Blog

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 Need for Expositional Preaching (pt. 4): Apostolic Preaching is Expositional

From the pattern of Moses and the Old Testament priests to the teaching ministry of Jesus, biblical exposition has a long track record in redemptive history. In the New Testament, the citation and explanation of Scripture (i.e., biblical exposition) continued. And this is most evident in Acts and Hebrews, the two books we will focus … Continue reading The Need for Expositional Preaching (pt. 4): Apostolic Preaching is Expositional

The Need for Expositional Preaching (pt. 3): Jesus was an Expositor

The Old Testament is the not the only place where we find expositional preaching. Jesus himself preached expositionally. In fact, he was more than an expositional preacher, according to John John 1:18 he literally ‘exegeted’ the Father, meaning that he explained, exposed, and revealed the character of God in his very life and person. As … Continue reading The Need for Expositional Preaching (pt. 3): Jesus was an Expositor

The Need for Expositional Preaching (pt. 2): A Biblical and Theological Defense

Why is biblical exposition necessary? The simple answer is that the health of the church depends on the regular reading and preaching of God’s Word. This claim can be supported by church history, but it can also be seen in Scripture itself. And in Scripture, expositional preaching is supported by both the doctrine of God’s … Continue reading The Need for Expositional Preaching (pt. 2): A Biblical and Theological Defense

The Need for Expositional Preaching (part 1)

It has been said, “There is no genuinely good preaching except exposition.” Such serious words require us to consider what expositional preaching is and why it is so important that preachers commit themselves to this kind of preaching. In an attempt to answer that question, this is the first in a four-part series on biblical exposition. … Continue reading The Need for Expositional Preaching (part 1)

Ten Things About Deuteronomy 4:32–40: Or, What It Means for God to Speak from the Midst of the Fire

In preparation for Sunday’s sermon on expositional preaching, here are ten observations from Deuteronomy 4:32–40. 1. Future hope (vv. 25–31) is based on God’s past actions (vv. 32–39). Grammatically, verse 32 begins with the word “for” (ki). This opening word reveals the relationship between verse 32 and what comes before it. Previously, verses 25–31 explained … Continue reading Ten Things About Deuteronomy 4:32–40: Or, What It Means for God to Speak from the Midst of the Fire

The Last Days: What Moses Teaches Us About End Times

What are the “last days”? When are the “last days”? Are we now living in the “last days”? These are questions that students of prophecy like to ask. They are also questions that are often answered by looking to current events, world crises, and various “signs of the times.” Yet, what if the “last days” … Continue reading The Last Days: What Moses Teaches Us About End Times

Gathered Worship: Why Your Soul Needs the Body of Christ (Deuteronomy 4:9–31)

Gathered Worship: Why Your Soul Needs the Body of Christ (Deuteronomy 4:9–31) As we took another look at worship this Sunday, we focused on the covenantal history outlined by Moses in Deuteronomy 4. In these verses, Moses directed Israel to remember the covenant God made with them, to guard themselves from idolatry, and to take … Continue reading Gathered Worship: Why Your Soul Needs the Body of Christ (Deuteronomy 4:9–31)

On Earth as It Is in Heaven: Seeking a Biblical Pattern for Worship

If Scripture stands against our natural and cultural bent towards innovative worship, it also provides a biblical pattern for the kind of worship God requires. Last week I considered the first problem—namely, the problem(s) with man-made worship. This week, I want to show how a pattern of worship repeats throughout the Bible. Actually, Jonathan Gibson … Continue reading On Earth as It Is in Heaven: Seeking a Biblical Pattern for Worship

Ten Things About Deuteronomy 4:9–31: Or, What Moses Says to Us About Gathered Worship and Jesus Christ

In preparation for Sunday’s sermon on worship, here are ten observations from Deuteronomy 4:9–31. 1. The middle section of Deuteronomy 4 can be divided into three time-plotted windows. The first window looks back to the gathering of Israel at Horeb (4:9–14). The second window looks at the people present before Moses. It warns Israel to … Continue reading Ten Things About Deuteronomy 4:9–31: Or, What Moses Says to Us About Gathered Worship and Jesus Christ

The Covenants with Abraham and Israel: One or Two?

In his commentary on Deuteronomy, Daniel Block considers the relationship between God’s covenant with Abraham and his covenant with Israel. Entitled “the covenant with your forefathers” in Deuteronomy 4:31, he asks whether this is a reference to God’s covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (cf. Exod 2:24; 6:4; Lev 26:4)? Or a reference to the … Continue reading The Covenants with Abraham and Israel: One or Two?

150
Page 37