“Let the pastors boldly dare all things by the word of God. . . . Let them constrain all the power, glory, and excellence of the world to give place to and to obey the divine majesty of this word. Let them enjoin everyone by it, from the highest to the lowest. Let them edify … More QUOTABLES: John Calvin on the Word of God
Jesus made a staggering claim when he reprimanded a bunch of religious scholars saying, “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!” (John 5:39) This is just one of many instances that reveal that Jesus either was the Son of God as he claimed or a deranged … More Jesus in Every Book of the Bible
How does one approach reading and interpreting the strange, other-worldly Book of Revelation? Here’s a short introduction and overview of the four main approaches often used. INTRODUCTION Interpreting Revelation and other apocalyptic literature, like any specific genre, demands its own set of prescribed rules. Yet, when we approach the task of shedding light on the mysterious … More Apocalyptic Literature: 4 Views
Today I want to share a personal update of sorts. Pastors wear a lot of hats. For example, today I was negotiating a lease with our landlord and consulting with our architect for our building project when I received a call from a person in rural Minnesota asking me to pray with him for … More God’s Gourmet Chef
Last night millions of viewers watched part 4 of the A.D. miniseries on NBC. We are seeing the tumultuous beginnings of the Jesus movement following his resurrection. Cowardly followers have become bold witnesses. The Holy Spirit inspires boldness in the face of opposition. The miracles that Jesus once wrought are now happening through his followers, and … More The Demise of Ananias & Sapphira (A.D. Miniseries)
FROM ‘WORD STUDIES’ TO ‘THE STUDY OF THE WORD’: WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA? It is often said that it is impossible to find a needle in a haystack. Yet it also could be said that if, once found, one focuses too narrowly upon the small needle so as not to lose it again, they may … More A Puzzling Path to Glory 4 (Mark 10:45)
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ISAIAH: MARK’S STRUCTURE AND JESUS’ IDENTITY Joel Marcus has shed considerable light on the OT background to Mark’s gospel, noting especially the Isaianic influences in the words and actions of Jesus. Mark uses strategic Isaianic passages to show the reader that God is finally initiating the new exodus and ushering in … More A Puzzling Path to Glory 3 (Mark 10:45)
“EITHER-OR” vs. “BOTH-AND”: HARMONIZING OLD TESTAMENT EXPECTATIONS Mark’s narrative paints a Jesus who is intentionally identifying himself with two OT figures—the Danielic Son of Man and the Isaianic Servant of YHWH; and describes his mission as the fulfillment of their drastically different destinies—the glorious triumph of the Son of Man over Israel’s enemy (“the fourth … More A Puzzling Path to Glory 2 (Mark 10:45)
Warning: This is a dry, dusty old seminary term paper…but grappling with some foundational, mind-blowing stuff worth revisiting and sharing. –JB In the introduction to his massive commentary on the second gospel, R.H. Gundry contends that “the Gospel of Mark contains…no riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma…Mark’s meaning lies on the surface. He … More A Puzzling Path to Glory 1 (Mark 10:45)
A repost from a few years back. -JB What if our faith was as real and powerful as the faith of the Apostle Paul, Peter, James and John, Mary and Lydia, Priscilla and Aquilla? What if our experience of church today was as exciting as those in the upper room at Pentecost, as action-packed as … More Cultivating an Apostolic Imagination
Repost from Spring 2010 but I’m in the exact same place personally. -JB “My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times…How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth” (Psalm 119). It’s perhaps my favorite time of year. I’m sitting in the backyard, listening to the lively noises … More Springtime Feasting on the Word
In the winter of 2000 my entire life was turned around, flipped upside down and spun inside out. I was a confused, well-intentioned, yet directionless 20 year-old sophomore at Bethel College decided to open up the Book of Acts in hopes of some general inspiration. Something remarkably simple yet profoundly powerful took place that evening … More A Powerful Collision: God, Bible, Authority & Narrative 1
From DesiringGod.org. Initially, it may be tough to tell the difference. A gifted Bible-expositor and an entertainment-oriented preacher, with a penchant for garnishing his ideas with some Bible, may not demonstrate much disparity at first. But give it some time. And check the congregation over the long haul. It will make a world of difference. … More Preaching That’s Tethered to the Bible
“To candid, reasonable men I am not afraid to lay open what have been the inmost thoughts of my heart. I have thought: I am a creature of a day, passing through life as an arrow through the air. I am a spirit come from God and returning to God; just hovering over the great … More QUOTABLES: Wesley on God’s Book!
“To read the Bible properly is to find it an altar where one meets the living God . . .” -Evangelical Covenant Church Paper
It’s hard for us to imagine not having the Bible translated into our own language. This is a very moving scene.
Can you articulate the main plot of the entire Old Testament story? What’s the overarching big story of which the smaller episodes are a part? Here’s my attempt to capture the essence of the OT story with key moments/themes in BOLD. The Creation story presents a picture of humanity initially living in proper relationship with … More Old Testament Overview: A Story in Search of a Conclusion
This is an excerpt from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in a letter he wrote to his brother-in-law Rudiger Schleicher, who was as liberal theologically as Bonhoeffer was conservative: “First of all I will confess quite simply — I believe that the Bible alone is the answer to all our questions, and that we need only to ask … More Bonhoeffer on Reading Scripture
Honestly, this is one of the best sections of any book I have ever read. I have rarely been this excited and passionate about anything I’ve read related to the power of Scripture. In the reading of these words, my reason for being a pastor was reaffirmed. I have experienced firsthand the world altering power … More Pastor 7 – “Obedient Playfulness” with the Text
More insights from Willimon’s book “Pastor”: “One of the challenges of biblical interpretation is that the Bible contains a wide array of genre. We contemporary preachers of the Word marvel at the resourcefulness of these early communicators of the faith. They use poetry, myth, parable, genealogy, invective, hyperbole, and a host of other literary devices … More Pastor 6 – More on the Scriptures
More highlights from my reading of Willimon’s book on pastoral ministry: “Reading Scripture in the context of modernity has proved to be particularly challenging for us pastors. The Bible is old; the newest parts of it were written about nineteen hundred years ago. Because modernity believes in the notion of progress, it tends to be … More Pastor 5 – Scripture & Modernity
Oh, how I love grasping the main plot of the entire Bible, how all 66 books tell one coherent story of redemption and grace! While Carson is extraordinarily articulate, I believe all Christians should be able to share this basic storyline of Creation-Fall-Covenant-Christ-New Creation in their own words. Sadly, many Christians can’t yet see the … More A Summary of the Bible (D.A. Carson)
Here’s a great answer from Sandy Richter. Is understanding the context of the Old Testament essential to understanding the meaning of what Jesus taught? I certainly believe with all the campus ministries and Four Spiritual Laws and tracts … the simplest presentation of the Gospel message can bring someone into the Kingdom–but … that is … More Q&A: Is the OT essential for understanding Jesus?
Here’s a young Lutheran preacher I found, well, entertaining and sharp — Jonathan Fisk. Tell me what you think about his exposition of Luke 21 — especially the last 5 minutes. Warning: If you’re a Dispensationalist or Tim LaHaye fan, you won’t appreciate this viewpoint.
Kingdom Harbor 