Of the writing (and reading!) of books there is no end, but attention to an immense literature dealing with questions of political power and authority, and how Christians can most wisely think (and act) in terms of these issues, is an important task.   The task assigned to me is to provide something of a... Continue Reading

May God help us all be humble learners while also maintaining vigilance and discipline to test the spirits behind what we consume, especially about new and trendy ideas. As John MacArthur wrote in his study Bible, “Christians are to have a healthy skepticism regarding any teaching.” This includes healthy skepticism about resources for missions.  ... Continue Reading

Praying will never be easy. The battle is often unseen, distractions are constant, and motivation sporadic. Nevertheless, we must have praying churches. In order to have praying churches, we ourselves must pray. Without this essential ministry, we accomplish nothing that will last.   Once upon a time, in a world far, far away churches had... Continue Reading

Before he vanquished his people’s enemies, he would first teach his people to love their enemies (Luke 6:27-31), and then suffer under the hands of his enemies in order to atone for his people’s sins. He upended Israel’s present worship practices (John 2:13-22; Luke 19:45-46) and taught truth that penetrated through their external religious façade into... Continue Reading

If covenant blessing requires perfect obedience, then we—like Israel—stand under the shadow of Mount Ebal. The mountain of blessing is across the valley, inaccessible. Left to ourselves, we are covenant breakers under the curse. Unless…Unless someone can obey for us. And that’s the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ! He came as the... Continue Reading

Unfortunately, sometimes people will take any kind of leadership—including throwing away centuries of good—if that leadership change promises to make everything hunky-dory . . . as if any change could do that. After all, isn’t that how Hitler rose to power? And in our own century, isn’t that the promise which has led to the... Continue Reading

The world may think you’re past your prime; Jesus doesn’t think that. Don’t throw in the towel when the finish line looms so near… For decades, you’ve been amassing wisdom and experience and patience and perspective. Now, on the other side of a career, you’re finally free to share those riches with others. There are... Continue Reading

Mere Christian Hermeneutics has much to commend it. Both of us have benefitted greatly from Vanhoozer’s numerous insights. Indeed, Vanhoozer provides some level of insight into nearly every ongoing conversation about biblical interpretation, and those already engaged in these discussions will glean much from his work.   Bridge-building or betrayal? Genuine unity or fundamental compromise? Throughout... Continue Reading

Run for your lives! Flee this terrible day that is coming! And yet, as in so many of the “Day of the LORD” passages, we find an invitation. This God, who is coming to purge and to cleanse, is a God of grace who invites His people to draw near to Him.   I can... Continue Reading

The creation narrative does not end with the work of Day 6, but with the rest of Day 7. God’s Sabbath is not a rest from exhaustion, but a rest of completion and enthronement…This establishes the Sabbath principle as the telos, or ultimate goal, of creation…The Sabbath is a gift, a signpost pointing forward. And here, the New... Continue Reading