Guest Authorby Richard Rohlfing | Durham University Most of us are aware that 35-40% of the Hebrew Bible can be described as poetic (not to speak of the poetic dimensions of Hebrew narrative). Yet, what theological difference does it make that poetry is the...
Karen EngleBiblical archaeology is archaeology focused on the ancient Near East. It includes places like modern-day Israel, Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Egypt, Iraq, and Iran from 1,400 BC through the first century AD. And though students of the Bible often...
Logos StaffOver the years I’ve developed, in good Lutheran fashion, ten theses on spiritual cure, the care of souls. Spiritual care comes from God My first thesis is this: All spiritual care is provided by God the Holy Trinity through his word in spoken and...
Matthew BoffeyThis morning the great apologist Norman Geisler passed away. It was announced on his ministry page, but I saw the news from my colleague Scott Lindsey, who knew Dr. Geisler personally. Scott has permitted me to share his reflection here, which...
Strive to be a professor who is concerned about heart application as much as theological information.
When students ask for recommended books on pastoral ministry before entering seminary, I usually have Paul Tripp’s Dangerous Calling at the top of my list. Tripp points out many of the common heart problems related to pastoral ministry. But this...
Adam B. ShaefferThis may come as a surprise to some, but it’s possible to finish a seminary MA and a PhD in theology and not learn Greek, and I am living proof of this. My programs of study were specialized enough that the need never arose (and it was never...
Nijay GuptaScholars have long been fascinated by the window that 1 Corinthians provides into life of the early Christians. In this letter we also have creedal information, gender relationship teachings, and—what’s up with “baptism for the dead” (15:29)...
Mark StraussLet me encourage you, as a professor, to get involved—or stay involved—in ministry
The most important work of evangelical theology in modern times. — Kenneth Briggs, New York Times Establishes [Carl] Henry as the leading theologian of the nation’s evangelical flank. — Richard Ostling, Time Magazine A must for every Christian...
Nijay K. Gupta, professor of New Testament at Northerm Seminary (PhD, University of Durham), contributed a series on biblical commentaries on the Pauline epistles. Dr. Gupta has written three commentaries (Colossians, 1–2 Thessalonians, Lord’s...
Tavis BohlingerI realize these are widely held views, and that I am going up against some of the titans of biblical scholarship in the 20th century.
"Genesis 1‐3 has a powerful message to the modern world, if only we got hold of it and believed it." --Vern Poythress
DidaktikosDougald McLaurin | Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Last fall a student walked into the library and asked me where the commentaries on the book of Romans were located. He said he needed them for an exegesis paper he was writing. I asked...
Douglas EstesI am a perfectionist. While this may seem like a simple admission, it took me many years to self-diagnose and admit that I am, in fact, a perfectionist. Nothing in my personality or past experiences led me to believe that I was a perfectionist...
“If I could only own one full set of commentaries, the New International Commentary on the Old and New Testaments would be my choice. . . Like a fine wine, it has continued to improve with age.” — Randy McCracken, author and professor Like BDAG...
I have already offered thoughts for the preaching scholar concerning first things and meditation, as well as my suggested exegetical resources for preaching (including exegetical commentaries). Here I want to pass on my favorite theological...
Thirty-three miles east of the Mediterranean Sea on a limestone plateau in the Judaean Hills rests one of the oldest cities in the world: Jerusalem. Jerusalem is mentioned 660 times in the Old Testament and 141 in the New—more if you count all its...
Bonhoeffer "most clearly points to the Christ as God’s Word for us, not simply to us, but emphatically on our behalf."
I put some questions recently to John Meade and Peter Gurry regarding their newly launched Text and Canon Institute, based at Phoenix Seminary. In this interview, they discuss the impetus behind the Institute, the significance of textual criticism...
Pastors of different types and in different contexts have varying amounts of time for “sermon prep.” We all know 5 hours is not enough, but most do not have the luxury of 20+ hours. So, let’s say that we are working in a given week with 15 hours for...
Dare I try to talk about the art of preaching when I am not a full-time preacher? I wondered about this before deciding to start a blog series on preaching. Perhaps it does seem a bit audacious. But what else are blogs for? My hope is simply to...
Hebrew doesn’t come easy for most—it certainly didn’t for me. While in my Hebrew classes in seminary, I set aside one full day a week to study it, trying my best to memorize the piles of vocabulary words my professor assigned and learn all...
Francis Schaeffer (1912–1984) was an evangelical missionary, theologian, and writer, best known for founding L’Abri with his wife, Edith. After studying at Hampden-Sydney College, Westminster Theological Seminary (where he studied under Cornelius...
Lexham PressDespite popular belief, Saul did not become Paul on the road to Damascus. Those are simply two versions of the same name: Saul the Hebrew version, Paul the Roman. However, what did change when Christ appeared to Paul—and it’s perhaps the most...
In preparation for this blog post, I asked my 13-year-old nephew what he valued most in a small group leader. He said, “I just want someone who really wants to know me and cares about my life.” That takes the pressure off being a perfect leader...
Testing the acoustics In the 1970s, archaeologist B. Cobbey Crisler and professional sound engineer Mark Miles set up equipment at a cove on the shore of the Sea of Galilee to test this phenomenon. They investigated the natural terrain and whether...
Eventually, this grievous sin led to Israel’s dispersion from the land (2 Kgs 15:29), and to this day, Dan is a byword in Judaism for apostasy. But that’s not the end of the story of Tel Dan. The hope of a promise North of Tel Dan is a hilly area...
Hang around seminary libraries long enough and you’ll start to recognize certain publishers, like Eerdmans. And you’ll start to reach for their books more and more. They were a consistent publisher in my bibliographies all throughout Bible school...
The geography of Israel is more than side trivia for the events in the Bible—it’s the stage God chose to place the characters of his story. The narrative unfolds across many different landscapes, from the Mediterranean coastal region to the lower...