10
Jul
2013
Warrant for the Analogical Interpretation of Select Scriptures, Part I
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Last week a friend of mine, Fred Zaspel, offered a case for the typological interpretation of the Scripture. In offering a four-point rationale for typological interpretation, Zaspel made several observations that call for both applause and reflection. I applauded, for instance, his description of some typologians as “overly imaginative,” “irresponsible,” and “uncontrolled” in their approach.... Read More
8
Jul
2013
Hebrews: The Big Picture (imaginative)
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The pastor had a tough assignment. While on sabbatical he’d received word from his fellow elders that a group of Jewish families in the church were beginning to cause a bit of trouble. They were threatening to abandon their Christian confession and return to the Jewish community they’d left. What was causing the contemplated action... Read More
6
Jul
2013
The Secret to a Successful Pastoral Ministry
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Many people promise to provide the secret to a successful pastoral ministry. Conferences, curricula, and consultants like to offer products for discouraged pastors. Attend this conference and you will come away with a ministry-changing model. Purchase this curriculum (with video of guy with fashionable glasses or foreign accent!) and you will regain interest (and keep... Read More
4
Jul
2013
Are Your Church’s Governing Documents Ready for a Post-DOMA World?
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One of the more interesting discoveries I made when researching Baptist polity a few years ago was the lost practice of “recognition councils.” Most Baptists are familiar with ordination councils, in which a local church calls together a group of elders and messengers from like-minded area churches to examine an aspiring minister’s fitness for ministry,... Read More
2
Jul
2013
John Adams’s Mistake
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In early 1776, John Adams travelled the snowy roads from New England back to Philadelphia for another extended session in Congress. Either along the way or shortly after he arrived in Philadelphia, Adams compiled a list of things he wanted to see accomplished. Near the end of that list, in somewhat scrawled handwriting, he wrote... Read More
29
Jun
2013
Why the Biblical Languages Matter—Even if You Forget Them
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Michael Kruger makes some excellent points on this subject over at his blog, Canon Fodder. He notes: But, there is a second assumption behind the “take your medicine” approach to the biblical languages. Many students assume that the study of the languages is useless if the specifics are forgotten at a later point. Indeed, this may... Read More
27
Jun
2013
Will Christians Be on the Wrong Side of History with Same-Sex Marriage?
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Yesterday, the Supreme Court issued two decisions on homosexual marriage that will likely shape the social structure of America moving forward. Even apart from the decisions of the Supreme Court, the acceptance of homosexuality appears to be a foregone conclusion. It is no secret that conservative Christians (among others) have opposed same-sex marriage, while the... Read More
26
Jun
2013
The Supreme Court and Same-Sex Marriage
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Today, the Supreme Court issued a couple of landmark decisions in the same-sex marriage battle. What the Court did was not really unexpected, but unfortunately is a further step down the path away from biblical marriage. One of the best summaries of what the Court did and what it means is by Al Mohler. You... Read More
25
Jun
2013
The Age of the Universe
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Dr. Al Mohler delivered and important address in 2010 on the exegetical and theological reasons we should believe in a young universe and young earth. The video and a transcript can be found here. It is well worth your attention.
21
Jun
2013
A Solid Exegetical Commentary: Ecclesiastes by James Bollhagen
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Ecclesiastes by Dr. James G. Bollhagen is a welcome addition to the growing number of commentaries on Ecclesiastes. He earned his M.Div., S.T.M., and Ph.D. from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. He has also served as a professor of exegetical theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and is currently the pastor of... Read More