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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

Writing Better, Writing More: Three Helpful Voices

In recent days, I’ve seen two excellent posts on writing better from David Gunderson and Charles Spurgeon, via Lucid Books. I also came across a helpful list of ways to write more from Samuel Miller, one of the founding professors of Princeton Seminary. Since writing is something I do and try to improve, I found … Continue reading Writing Better, Writing More: Three Helpful Voices

The Good and the Bad of Brevard Childs’s Canonical Criticism

In his book Introduction to the Old Testament as Scripture, Brevard Child’s explains his approach to canonical criticism, a term he does not like (82), but one that generally describes his approach to interpreting Scripture in its final form. Among critical scholars, i.e., those who employed historical-critical methods of interpretation, Childs championed a new (and better) approach … Continue reading The Good and the Bad of Brevard Childs’s Canonical Criticism

Red Carpet Christianity: A Summary and Conclusion to the Book of Ephesians

Red Carpet Christianity (Ephesians 6:21–24) Since September our church has studied the book of Ephesians. This week, we finished the sermon series with a summary and reflection on Paul’s letter. In particular, I argued that the gospel creates communities of faith that learn how to walk together in love. It’s this love that displays the … Continue reading Red Carpet Christianity: A Summary and Conclusion to the Book of Ephesians

Not Quite the End: Five Pastoral Lessons from the End of Ephesians

I love the end of Paul’s letters. Why? Because there is so much missions-mindedness in them. For instance, in Romans 16, Paul lists a few dozen of his gospel associates. In Titus 3 he shows how he is making plans for the gospel to go throughout the Mediterranean. And in Colossians 4, he is again … Continue reading Not Quite the End: Five Pastoral Lessons from the End of Ephesians

How the Trinity Shines Light on Difficult Doctrines

Free will. The doctrine of election. The New Testament use of the Old. The problem of evil. These are just a few of the most complex issues we face when we read the Bible and formulate doctrine. They are debated by well-meaning and biblically-committed Christians, and often they leave us perplexed, if not flummoxed, at … Continue reading How the Trinity Shines Light on Difficult Doctrines

The Putrefied Priesthood of Jesus’ Day, or Why Mark’s Gospel Calls for a New Priest

In his excellent book The Cross from a Distance: Atonement in Mark’s Gospel, Peter Bolt shows how religion in Jesus day had soured. In one footnote, he surveys the whole Gospel to show repeated instances of religion gone bad. I share the note in full because it helps us to see what false religion looks like, … Continue reading The Putrefied Priesthood of Jesus’ Day, or Why Mark’s Gospel Calls for a New Priest

“All the Father Has Given Me”: Election and Evangelism in the Gospel of John

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I … Continue reading “All the Father Has Given Me”: Election and Evangelism in the Gospel of John

“Whatever You Ask in Prayer”: A Christ-Centered Re-Reading of a Commonly Misused Verse

“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” — Matthew 21:22 — Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. — Mark 11:24 — In my high school year book, my senior quote was from Jesus: “Therefore I … Continue reading “Whatever You Ask in Prayer”: A Christ-Centered Re-Reading of a Commonly Misused Verse

“As Unto the Lord”: Work with Christ at the Center (Ephesians 6:5–9)

“As Unto the Lord”: Work with Christ at the Center Paul is unashamedly Christ-centered. And it seems that in whatever subject he is discussing, he brings it back to the Lord who saved him and commissioned him to preach his gospel. On this note, we see in Ephesians 6:5–9 how Paul teaches us to bring … Continue reading “As Unto the Lord”: Work with Christ at the Center (Ephesians 6:5–9)

Paul, Slaves, and the Church: How the Gospel Creates a People Passionate for Love and Justice

The story of Exodus, for example, describing the Israelites' escape from slavery in Egypt, is missing. The editors left out entire books and large portions of others; their selections stressed obedience, submission, and acceptance. — Museum of the Bible (@museumofBible) February 8, 2018 In Washington, D.C. the Museum of the Bible has an exhibit tracing … Continue reading Paul, Slaves, and the Church: How the Gospel Creates a People Passionate for Love and Justice

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