Do the old covenant laws still apply to Christians today? What is the relationship between the laws of Moses and the believer after Christ’s work on the cross? Listen to Dr. Jason DeRouchie broach the subject in this month’s blog post. …
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I wrote this essay for the Washington Institute at the end of October. Its primary focus is on the nature of apocalyptic literature, but its foil is the sensationalizing of news events in 2020. So while my first aim was to commend a responsible way to read apocalyptic literature (Revelation in particular), my hope was also that the relevance of apocalyptic literature would shine through in shadow of current events and the palpable anxiety leading up to the November election. Well, in the wake of continuing unrest and uncertainty — covid spreading more than ever, controversy with the vaccine, riotous mobs inside the Capitol, the eve of a new presidential administration — I believe these words are still germane. …
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Never before in the West have we asked such pressing questions about the nature of humanity than we do today. Questions of gender, sex, marriage, race, beginning and end of life—to name just a few—swirl around us in crosscurrents often too swift to anchor down. Why is this? And does the church have a clear voice in such matters?…
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This past weekend we celebrated the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. That is not the end of the story, however. He has ascended and rules at the right hand of the Father. Our King has risen, is reigning, and will return. We look forward to Christ’s glorious return. In these last four videos on the book of Revelation, find encouragement “as we await the blessed hope” (Titus 2:13). I am happy to share these with you. My hope is you will be encouraged and edified.
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Windows provide light into our homes. They also allow us to look out to see what may be on the horizon. In these three videos, we explore some themes and imagery that invites us to look back into the Old Testament for understanding. When we do this, we can look at Revelation with greater clarity, like looking through a clear window. I am happy to share these with you. My hope is you will be encouraged and edified. If you would like to discuss the content of these videos, then leave a comment or question, and I look forward to responding.
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Recently, I was putting together lectures on the Book of Revelation for the Johannine Theology course I am teaching this semester. This book, more than others, really emphasizes Jesus Christ's sovereignty over history. The point is not that Jesus will become Lord at his return or something, but that he is Lord of all right now, and that he executes his purposes in the course of time. Mystery of mysteries what he is doing sometimes, but it is all for the renown of his name, the good of his people, and for his glorious purposes in redemption. No virus is sovereign. No government. No man. But Jesus alone is able to break the seals and open the scroll. …
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Last year we had a class on the Poets taught by Dieudonné Tamfu. I sat in on a few classes and learned so much in just those classes alone. Then this summer I taught a seminar overviewing the entire Bible in a handful of sessions. I was particularly thrilled to teach on the Psalms that day because I was eager to apply all I learned from Dr. Tamfu and in my subsequent study. I hope this video is as encouraging to you as it was to me in preparing it and teaching it. I try to delineate the structure of the entire book, and articulate the main idea of the book when viewed as a complete work. …
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The meaning of “justification” has recently become a debated topic in Pauline studies. The central thrust of Romans has always been a debated topic. Our Pauline Theology professor for this fall is Dr. Bill Barcley. At a recent gathering of the Evangelical Theological Society, Dr. Barcley read his paper titled “Romans, Missions and Justification” that brings these two concerns together. He avers, “Everything in the letter must be read in light of Paul’s missionary agenda,” and then puts forward “a reading of Romans that recognizes the centrality of Paul’s missionary goals, makes sense of the Jew/Gentile dimension in Romans, recognizes Paul’s wrestling with God’s faithfulness to his covenant with Israel, and upholds the traditional evangelical—and in my view biblical—understanding of justification” (1). …
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The recent upsurge in Biblical Theology is an encouraging trend. Reading “with the grain of the Scriptures,” as it has been said, is uncovering (indeed, in a lot of ways is recovering) treasures new and old. And particularly preaching that is built on biblical-theological methods is a gift to local churches as the intent of Scripture is brought to bear on the people of God week in and week out.
But there are some serious criticisms of the way such sermons are delivered. …
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