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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

From Dust to Trust: Rebuilding Shattered Dreams with the God of the Psalms (Psalms 90–106)

What happens when your dreams are pulverized? To whom do you turn? Where do you run? In the Psalms, Book 3 (Psalms 73–89) concludes with the crushing news that the crown of David had been buried in the dust of the earth. In short, because of Israel’s sin, and the sin of David’s sons in … Continue reading From Dust to Trust: Rebuilding Shattered Dreams with the God of the Psalms (Psalms 90–106)

Reading the Psalms from the Beginning: How Reading the Psalms Canonically Is More Ancient Than Modern

Is a canonical approach to the Psalms a new creation, or the invention of modern scholars? Or do we do we find anything like it in church history? This important question was raised recently and I didn’t have a one-stop, go-to resource to provide an answer in the affirmative. Indeed, most studies advocating the canonical … Continue reading Reading the Psalms from the Beginning: How Reading the Psalms Canonically Is More Ancient Than Modern

From Exaltation to Exile: The Tragic Fall of David’s House (Psalms 73–89)

From Exaltation to Exile: The Tragic Fall of David’s House In his chapter on the Psalms, Paul House writes of Book 3, Psalms 73–89: Subtle shifts in tone, superscriptions and content leading up to historical summaries in Psalms 78 and 89 indicate that part three [Psalms 73–89] reflects Israel’s decline into sin and exile. This … Continue reading From Exaltation to Exile: The Tragic Fall of David’s House (Psalms 73–89)

Reading the Psalms Carefully Means Reading the Psalms Canonically: Six Quotations from ‘The Shape and Message of Psalms 73–89’

Among recent studies on the Psalms, one of the most linguistically rigorous is that of Robert Cole, (former?) professor of Old Testament at Southeastern Theological Seminary. His monograph The Shape of the Message of Book III (Psalms 73–89) shows just how carefully the editor(s) of the Psalms arranged the collection of the Psalms. And any student of … Continue reading Reading the Psalms Carefully Means Reading the Psalms Canonically: Six Quotations from ‘The Shape and Message of Psalms 73–89’

A Parade and a Pacemaker: Getting Into the Psalms, So That the Psalms Get Into You

A Parade and a Pacemaker: Getting Into the Psalms, So That the Psalms Get Into You After three weeks away from preaching, and hearing three faithful sermons on Psalms 22–24, Psalm 73, and Psalm 88, I took to the pulpit again yesterday. And instead of jumping into Book 3 of the Psalms, I sought to answer … Continue reading A Parade and a Pacemaker: Getting Into the Psalms, So That the Psalms Get Into You

Gone with the Wind: Malcolm Muggeridge on the Effervescence of Geo-Political Rulers

My best friend from high school posted this Malcolm Muggeridge quote today on his Facebook account. In light of the world’s unrest, and our need to pray for international peace, they are quite fitting. In an essay entitled “But Not of Christ,” Muggeridge writes, We look back upon history and what do we see? Empires … Continue reading Gone with the Wind: Malcolm Muggeridge on the Effervescence of Geo-Political Rulers

Does Paul Interpret Moses Allegorically? A Few Lexical Notes on Galatians 4:24

Now this was written allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar.[1] – Galatians 4:24 – What does ἀλληγορούμενα mean in Galatians 4:24? To answer the question about the lexical meaning of ἀλληγορούμενα is difficult, because it is only used once in the New Testament. That … Continue reading Does Paul Interpret Moses Allegorically? A Few Lexical Notes on Galatians 4:24

Learning to Read Moses’ Allegory: Matthew Emerson on Galatians 4:21–31 and Paul’s Reading of the Pentateuch

In his illuminating article on Galatians 4:21–31, Matthew Emerson shows how we should learn to read Moses from the Apostle Paul. In a passage that typically is used as an example for how to not read the Old Testament like Paul, Emerson makes the opposite case. And I believe he is exactly right. In his article,“Arbitrary … Continue reading Learning to Read Moses’ Allegory: Matthew Emerson on Galatians 4:21–31 and Paul’s Reading of the Pentateuch

On “Speaking Allegorically”: An Engagement with Friedrich Büschel in the TDNT

[Here is the first in a few blogposts following up from today’s Sunday School lesson on Galatians 4:21–31 at Occoquan Bible Church.] In the first volume of the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Friedrich Büchsel notes how “allegorical exposition” is common among ancient people including “Indians, Mohammedans, Greeks, Jews and Christians.”[1] In particular, allegorical … Continue reading On “Speaking Allegorically”: An Engagement with Friedrich Büschel in the TDNT

Preaching to the Late Modern Mind: Five Cultural Narratives to Know

In his book Preaching: Communicating Faith in an Age of Skepticism, Tim Keller addresses how Christianity confronts culture. Wisely he speaks of the way we must (1) affirm truth in culture, (2) confront idols in culture, and (3) show how truth in culture is derived from and only satisfied by the Christ who reigns supreme … Continue reading Preaching to the Late Modern Mind: Five Cultural Narratives to Know

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