‘Paradosis’ literally means “a giving over, a transfer,” and that’s what the New Testament is. It is the Apostolic tradition that the church has received. The church received it from the Apostles, who received it from Christ, who received it from God. That’s why when we reject the teaching of the Apostles—the Apostolic tradition of... Continue Reading

The man who delights in the Law and meditates on it is like a fruitful tree, which is well nourished by living springs of water. No matter what season of life comes, his leaf does not wither. This connection to the source of life means that even in hard times, when darkness seems like all... Continue Reading

Evangelism in the home begins with shepherding one’s own wife in her relationship with Christ. I will never forget an elder’s meeting in which one of our pastors shared that his wife had been converted the previous night. She was one of the nicest people in the church, yet, unknown to us, she was unconverted.... Continue Reading

And, here in Revelation, we learn that we will join Christ in opposing disobedience. And this is serious opposition, isn’t it? Ruling with a rod of iron. Shattering his enemies like clay pots. The Lord takes dealing with disobedience seriously. And this should get our attention. He takes obedience seriously. He rewards obedience. But He takes disobedience equally seriously.... Continue Reading

Remembering our sin in this way, far from sending us into despair, deepens our assurance. For if Christ loved us then, while we wanted nothing to do with him, will he not surely go on loving us now (Romans 5:10)? Our sin reminds us that the love of God never rested on our worthiness —... Continue Reading

Skeptics find the problem of evil so repugnant and our solutions so hollow because they refuse to accept a fundamental reality that every Christian believes in: life after death. It’s an essential truth that’s part of a coherent Christian worldview. Because believers accept this truth, the solution to the problem of evil is palatable. But because skeptics reject this... Continue Reading

 I mean, really, which counsel is more tempting for you, the counsel of violent rioters who say, “Hey, come with us and burn things down and harm people,” or the counsel of a neighbor like that who says, “Wouldn’t it be nice to just sleep in on Sunday morning, have a relaxing day out on... Continue Reading

The two most familiar New Testament passages about the Great Commission—Matthew 28 and Acts 1—share many unmistakable similarities with Daniel 7. For the sake of time, I will only be able to cover four similarities each Great Commission text shares with Daniel 7. But the final result will leave no doubt that Jesus’ victory at... Continue Reading

The New Testament authors quote, allude to, and interpret the Old Testament in a great variety of ways — and sometimes in ways that seem illegitimate to modern readers. But the apostles’ use of the Old Testament becomes clearer as we grasp the distinct practices and postures they brought to the Scriptures. Such practices and... Continue Reading

Even so, one problem still remains for all of us: we are spiritually poor. In the end, even the richest person on earth, with access to the best doctors, multiple houses and other possessions, able to buy just about anything the mind can imagine, is born in spiritual poverty. These poor ones are the kind... Continue Reading