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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

Learning from the Past to Be Faithful in the Present: Four Reasons Why Church History Matters

God’s people are a people of history. Because our faith stands or falls with the historical events of Christ’s death and resurrection (1 Cor. 15)—not to mention all the historical events leading up to Christ’s advent—Christians are a people who should care deeply about history. Yet, often we don’t. Non-denominational Christians, especially, know little about … Continue reading Learning from the Past to Be Faithful in the Present: Four Reasons Why Church History Matters

The Historical Background of Psalm 74–75: A Case for Reading Psalms with 1–2 Chronicles

In 2017 I preached a sermon on Psalms 73–89. In it, I argued the historical background of Book 3 followed the historical events of 2 Chronicles (as this image illustrates). From this reading, Psalms 74–75 find a historical connection in Shisak’s invasion recorded in 2 Chronicles 10–12 (ca. 930 BC). Many commentators place the “temple-smashing” … Continue reading The Historical Background of Psalm 74–75: A Case for Reading Psalms with 1–2 Chronicles

Start With Why: Working for God’s Glory, the Gospel, and Christ’s Church (1 Timothy 6:1–2)

Start With WHY: Working for God’s Glory, the Gospel, and Christ’s Church (Sermon Audio) More than what, more than how . . . but why you do what you do will ultimately determine the success of your “doings.” This sort of thinking has been championed recently by various thought leaders, but the principle goes back to the Bible … Continue reading Start With *Why*: Working for God’s Glory, the Gospel, and Christ’s Church (1 Timothy 6:1–2)

From the Gospel to Good Works: A Church’s How-To Manual for Elders (1 Timothy 5:17–25)

From the Gospel to Good Works: A Church’s How-To Manual for Elders (1 Timothy 5:17–25) What are you supposed to do in church? What are elders supposed to do in church? And how do elders and members work together in the church? On Sunday I answered these questions with six “how-to’s” from 1 Timothy 5:17–25. … Continue reading From the Gospel to Good Works: A Church’s How-To Manual for Elders (1 Timothy 5:17–25)

With Eyes Open to Our Common Savior: How the Lord’s Supper Makes Visible God’s New Covenant People

So Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac, and Jacob offered a sacrifice in the hill country and called his kinsmen to eat bread. They ate bread and spent the night in the hill country. — Genesis 31:53–54 — In the Old Testament covenants were often begun or accompanied by a covenant meal. In … Continue reading With Eyes Open to Our Common Savior: How the Lord’s Supper Makes Visible God’s New Covenant People

Wise Mercy Means Supporting Tabitha, Correcting Delilah, and Encouraging Mary (1 Timothy 5:9–16)

Wise Mercy Means Supporting Tabitha, Correcting Delilah, and Encouraging Mary (1 Timothy 5:9–16) Why does Paul spend so much time on widows? In a letter with 113 verses, 16 of them (more than 10% of the letter) are dedicated to widows. Does Paul have a special ministry project for these women? Or is there something … Continue reading Wise Mercy Means Supporting Tabitha, Correcting Delilah, and Encouraging Mary (1 Timothy 5:9–16)

Caring for the Family Jesus Created (1 Timothy 5:1–8)

Caring for the Family Jesus Created (1 Timothy 5:1–8) Paul’s entire first letter to Timothy focuses on the family of God. And chapter 5 is perhaps the most relevant for disciples of Christ and how we care for our own families. On Sunday we began to look at this practical and challenging chapter—what it says … Continue reading Caring for the Family Jesus Created (1 Timothy 5:1–8)

Everybody Deacon Now: The Call for All Christians to Serve in the Church

11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of diakonia, for building up the body of Christ, — Ephesians 4:11–12 — For the last few months our church has been considering Paul’s first letter to Timothy and how the instructions for the household … Continue reading Everybody Deacon Now: The Call for All Christians to Serve in the Church

Seeing the Invisible God: Christ’s Resurrection and the Church’s Confession (1 Timothy 3:16)

Seeing the Invisible God: Christ’s Resurrection and the Church’s Confession (1 Timothy 3:16) While every Sunday is a celebration of the resurrection, this last Sunday we celebrated the very day when Christ rose from the grave. In Sunday’s sermon from 1 Timothy 3:16 we consider the full impact of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. In … Continue reading Seeing the Invisible God: Christ’s Resurrection and the Church’s Confession (1 Timothy 3:16)

Our Glorious High Priest: 24 Audio Lessons on Hebrews

Over the course of 2018–19 I taught through the book of Hebrews at our church on Tuesday Nights. You can find the audio and notes below. My approach: With an interest in Christ’s priesthood as the fulfillment of the whole Bible, and with a conviction that Hebrews models for us how to interpret the Old … Continue reading Our Glorious High Priest: 24 Audio Lessons on Hebrews

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