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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

Walking Worthy: Growing in Unity and Maturity (Ephesians 4:1–16)

Walking Worthy: Growing in Unity and Maturity (Ephesians 4:1–16) Ever wonder what unity in the body of Christ is supposed to look like? This Sunday we looked at Ephesians 4:1–16, to see how Christ builds up his church in unity and maturity. In short, through a well-tuned heart (vv. 1–3) and well-ordered doctrine (vv. 4–6), Christ, … Continue reading Walking Worthy: Growing in Unity and Maturity (Ephesians 4:1–16)

What Does Unity in the Church Look Like? Ten Truths from Ephesians 4

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to … Continue reading What Does Unity in the Church Look Like? Ten Truths from Ephesians 4

Becoming Like the One We Behold: Why Seeing Christ in Scripture is Necessary for Biblical Exposition

Q. Why is it necessary to preach Christ in every sermon? A. Because without seeing Christ, we will not become like him. When asked to give an answer for why preaching Christ is necessary, there are many biblical answers I could give— because this is how the apostles preached in Acts, because the Scriptures were … Continue reading Becoming Like the One We Behold: Why Seeing Christ in Scripture is Necessary for Biblical Exposition

Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us: A Biblical Theme That Comforts Scared Sheep

Savior, like a shepherd lead us, much we need thy tender care; In thy pleasant pastures feed us, for our use thy folds prepare. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast bought us, thine we are. Dorothy Thrupp’s “Savior, Like A Shepherd Lead Us” is a powerful hymn that drinks deeply from the biblical imagery of … Continue reading Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us: A Biblical Theme That Comforts Scared Sheep

Prayer That Works: Praying to the Father, for the Spirit, to Fill the Church with Christ’s Manifold Love (Ephesians 3:14–21)

Prayer That Works (Ephesians 3:14–21) In recent years, few passages have captured my imagination more than Ephesians 3:14–21. That is to say, few texts of Scripture have struck me with such a vision for the need for prayer in the church and prayer for the church, and hence my own need to pray more for … Continue reading Prayer That Works: Praying to the Father, for the Spirit, to Fill the Church with Christ’s Manifold Love (Ephesians 3:14–21)

Praying for the Inner Man: D. A. Carson on Ephesians 3:14–21

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith — Ephesians 3:14–17 … Continue reading Praying for the Inner Man: D. A. Carson on Ephesians 3:14–21

The Father Saves, The Son Suffers, The Spirit Speaks: Seeing the Trinity in Ephesians 1–3

As to the divine works, the Father is the source from which every operation emanates (ex ou), the Son is the the medium through which (di’ ou) it is performed, and the Holy Ghost is the executive by which (ev ō) it is carried into effect. — George Smeaton, The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit, 4 — When the Bible says that salvation belongs … Continue reading The Father Saves, The Son Suffers, The Spirit Speaks: Seeing the Trinity in Ephesians 1–3

Growing up with “Papa”: A Personal Testimony of Saving Grace and Protestant Reformation

In reading some of Martin Luther’s writing recently, I came away with the distinct impression that Luther talked like the Bishop of Rome was always in the room with him. While not thinking much about church until I came to faith at seventeen, my Protestant heritage couldn’t quite make sense of the seeming ubiquity of … Continue reading Growing up with “Papa”: A Personal Testimony of Saving Grace and Protestant Reformation

Ten Things Ephesians Teaches About Christ and his Church

So that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places, . . . — Ephesians 3:10 — The ESV Study Bible has a succinct list of ten ways Christ and his Church are related and described in the book of Ephesians … Continue reading Ten Things Ephesians Teaches About Christ and his Church

Martin Luther: Rediscovering the Gospel and Reforming the Church (A Biographical Sermon)

Martin Luther: Rediscovering the Gospel and Reforming the Church As we gathered at church this Reformation Sunday, we did so with the fruits of the Reformation still impacting our lives. From the Bibles in our laps (or on our phones) to the message justification by faith alone in Christ alone, we who know the true … Continue reading Martin Luther: Rediscovering the Gospel and Reforming the Church (A Biographical Sermon)

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