Something I was reading a few days ago reminded me of something I read in N.T. Wright a few years ago. (Funny how that happens sometimes.) N.T. Wright disregards infallibility and inerrancy as American doctrines in Simply Christian (183): “…the insistence on an ‘infallible’ or ‘inerrant’ Bible has grown up within a complex cultural matrix (that, [...]
The Twin Signs of Jesus’ Virgin Birth and Virgin Tomb
March 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment
“The virgin birth cannot be considered in abstraction from the triumphant consummation of Christ’s life in his resurrection, for it is there that the mystery of his person is revealed. In fact the birth of Jesus of the virgin Mary and the resurrection of Jesus from the virgin tomb (‘where no one had ever yet been laid’) [...]
What Theological Theme Holds the NT’s Center of Gravity?
February 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment
From Greg Beale’s New Testament Biblical Theology (179-180, my italics): The beginning of the new-creational reign is understood as Christ’s life, especially his death, resurrection, and ongoing ascended resurrection existence and rule, so that he is a formative microcosmic model that determines the nature and destiny of people, and the rest of creation, on a macrocosmic scale. [...]
How Each Chapter of the Book of Ruth Points to Jesus
January 27, 2012 By 3 Comments
How do you appropriately and accurately preach Jesus from the Old Testament? Every pastor faces this challenge, if he wants to preach the whole counsel of God to his congregation. Many fall prey to the fallacy of pointing to Jesus in the Old Testament. They see something that reminds them of the gospel or the [...]
How to Call for a Gospel Response Like a Calvinist
November 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment
In case you haven’t been over to The Gospel Coalition Blog in a while, get on over and check out my article, “How to Call for a Gospel Response Like a Calvinist.” I hope that you find it helpful. Share
An Isaianic Spin on the “I Am” Statements in the Gospel of John
November 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment
I have been thoroughly enjoying Schreiner’s New Testament Theology. At 864 pages, it’s a redwood that will fall only with consistent swings of the ax over a long period of time. Especially for a slow reader like me. In his chapter “Son of God, I Am, and Logos,” he connects Jesus’ “I am” statements to [...]
Why Jesus Called Himself “Son of Man” Instead of “Messiah”
October 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Thomas Schreiner explains: “Why did Jesus use the title ‘Son of Man’ so often and in comparison, relatively speaking, the title ‘Messiah’ so little? We have seen that the title ‘Messiah’ was apt to be understood in militaristic and political terms, contrary to Jesus’ mission. The term ‘Son of Man,’ on the other hand, was [...]
The Primacy of The Functional Centrality of the Gospel in Paul’s Letters
June 20, 2011 By 7 Comments
You hear a lot about the “functional centrality of the gospel” these days. The idea that the gospel ought to be central in how we function has people has given rise to organizations, conferences, books, blogs, and even rap CD’s (not that anyone buys CD’s anymore). But is this really biblical? I like it. It [...]
How the Storyline of the Bible is Summarized in Exodus 1-2
June 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment
I’m starting my summer series on Exodus this coming Sunday, and it struck me how the first two chapters of the book are a microcosm of sorts for the storyline of the Bible. Creation (1:1-7): The book kicks off by painting Israel with colors from the palette of Genesis 1, “But the people of Israel [...]
The Key to Being a Humble Theologian
May 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment
5 Ways to Create Interest When You Do Exegesis in Sermons
April 22, 2011 By 1 Comment
In your preaching, how many times have you tried to communicate an amazing exegetical insight, only to watch the eyes of your audience steadily glaze over? You thought you had them, but you lost them. We have all been there, more often than we’ll admit. The solution is not more illustrations and less exegesis, at [...]
How Do the Two Halves of Exodus Fit Together?
April 20, 2011 By 4 Comments
The book of Exodus has always seemed a bit schizophrenic to me. The story grips the reader with the miracles, plagues, and the parting of the Red Sea in the first half. Then the second half turns to complaints, laws, and blueprints, with a few stories dropped in. What gives? How (I think) the two [...]
Salient Sound Bites From Al Mohler at The Gospel Coalition
April 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Al Mohler kicked off the offical Gospel Coalition Conference with a message titled, “Studying the Scriptures and Finding Jesus,” from John 5:31-47. His point was that Christians must read the Old Testament, and see the redemption of Christ that is written into it. Here are some quotes I wrote down during the message. I don’t [...]
A Biblical Argument for the Inerrancy of Scripture from G.K. Beale
April 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Many conservative scholars deny the doctrine of the inerrancy of Scripture. They do so on the grounds that it was a fundamentalist invention to fight liberalism – evolution in particular – in the late 1800′s and early 1900′s. These conservatives are perfectly willing to affirm the doctrine of inspiration, because it can be clearly developed [...]
The Difference Between the Law and the Gospel: Which Do You Preach More?
April 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment
I’m pursuing ordination with the goal of finishing in early October. So far, my greatest joy in the process has been working through the four volumes of Bavinck’s Reformed Dogmatics. He brilliantly summarizes the difference between the law and the gospel in the paragraph below. As you read, ask yourself if one comes out in [...]
Use Thematic Outlines to Grasp the Big Picture of a Book of the Bible
April 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment
I don’t usually feel helped by the outlines of books of the Bible that I find in commentaries, Bible dictionaries, or study Bibles. They’re usually too general and rarely identify a theme that summarizes the whole book. The outlines I find most helpful are what I call thematic outlines. They do two things: 1) state [...]
7 Reasons to Weave Eschatology into the Fabric of Your Preaching
March 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment
When you hear the word “eschatology” do you think about number codes, multi-headed dragons, and colored horses? I hope not. More than plotting out the events of the end of the world. Eschatology is about history’s trajectory toward the end of the world as a result of Christ’s already/not yet destruction of the old age (accomplished [...]
How a Robust Theology of Creation Affects Your Productivity
March 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The seven days of creation model how we ought to do productive work, not only the schedule of the workweek. There is no greater demonstration of creativity than Genesis 1, from which I derive a theological definition of productivity. A productivity system is a set of tools and habits that enables you to produce something. But many use [...]
What Not Enough People Are Saying About Rob Bell’s “Love Wins”
March 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Everyone is talking about Rob Bell’s controversial forthcoming book (out 3/15/2011), Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived. It is a polarizing book on many levels. For the same reason you have to gaze at the scene of an accident as you drive by, I was quick to [...]
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