Mark WardMy most influential mentor always told his charges that Bible teachers come to the text with one of two questions: either 1) “What can I say about this?” Or 2) “What does this say?” He saw these questions as a continental divide, and he urged us to...
Logos StaffThere are many moments in the New Testament—heated exchanges, curious turns of phrase, and extreme reactions—that might leave the casual reader scratching his or her head. Maybe you or someone you know has asked questions like why were there so many...
The Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology calls inspiration the “cornerstone of evangelical theology.” But how God’s Word moved from the mind of God to the biblical writers, to their immediate audience, and finally, to the translations you and...
I was trying to turn Psalm 1 into a singable song for the Bible club boys (6th grade on up) from the neighborhoods around my church. These were not young men with extensive church backgrounds and full-ride scholarships to elite Sunday schools. Their...
Paul BurkhartDo you have any rituals? My roommate gets up most every morning at around the same time, goes for a run, makes a French press of coffee and sits out our kitchen table and reads his giant red-leather study Bible and journals for a long time after. I...
A seminary professor once relayed the story of an idealistic church member who complained that pastors should get “real world experience” before beginning pastoral ministry. The professor listened at first, but soon grew impatient with the...
You’ve seen it plastered on tee shirts, coffee mugs, bookmarks and Bible covers; it’s cross-stitched on throw pillows and wall art. Its words have comforted thousands of Christians in their darkest moments. But do you really understand the...
Guest AuthorThis is a guest post by Peter Krol. A reader of my blog recently emailed to say, “I was never intentionally taught how to lead a Bible study, and, when the time came for me to teach others how to do it, I had no idea even where to begin.” Do you...
In my town we had a radio station that called itself “the new 102.” The name was short. It rhymed. They added a catchy tune. Ten years later, they were still calling themselves “the new 102.” The New Perspective on Paul is just a little like that...
Ryan BurnsThough most of you are familiar with Summer term classes, many of you may not be aware that most seminaries offer what is called an “Interim Term” between the Fall and Spring semester and/or one between the Spring and Summer semester...
When juggling ministry and full-time education, there are times when one will need to make decisions that lead to compromising one for the sake of the other. At times, it is easy to feel as if there are never enough hours in a day to finish all of...
Jake MailhotThe tendency to emphasize the good of the spiritual realm to the neglect of the physical world has led many Christians to an unbiblical view of the world and a false dichotomy between the ‘sacred’ and ‘secular.’ —Kenneth T. Magnuson, professor of...
Biblical illiteracy, particularly in the US, is increasing at a staggering rate. Now more than ever it’s critical that the people of God not only read the Bible more frequently, but study the Bible. There are many ways to study Scripture, and...
Avoiding discouragement is part of the battle. When the world looks at only using the scientific method and tangible evidence as the sole means of valid decision making, it becomes difficult to convince even believers that what God has designed you...
Seana ScottGod spoke further to Moses and said to him, “I am the LORD; and I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as God Almighty, but my name, LORD, I did not make myself known to them. – Exodus 6:2-3 Trudging through mental mud The seminary journey often...
How many of us learned a litany of easy-to-remember prayers growing up? Recite with me: “Now I lay me down to sleep . . . Jesus, tender shepherd, hear me, bless thy little lamb tonight . . . Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest …” And that’s to say...
Late last year, we released a few new volumes in the Evangelical Exegetical Commentary series: S.M. Baugh’s excellent treatment of Ephesians and the longest commentary on Jude ever written. It’s the former volume that has received some high praise...
One of the most valuable things I’ve done in my first few weeks at seminary is set up office hours with three of my five professors. Why? One of them bought me a burger! So it’s at least worth $8.25. All joking aside, I’d like to...
Do you ever get the feeling that the things your learning are irrelevant, or that things you’ve known for a long time are just getting reinforced? It’s especially painful when you feel you’ve hit an academic rut in seminary...
We spend the vast majority of our waking hours on the job, yet glorifying God in our work is rarely a topic of conversation in the church. Faithful Christians who desire to honor God with their vocational lives often do so by working ethically...
Christians often fall prey to the notion that the sacred and secular should be separated. While it’s true that Jesus has called us into his Kingdom, he has also called us back into the world from which we were rescued. Our faith must be grounded in...
Kaeli JoyceIt’s common today to hear of the fractured church, the shattered church, the hopelessly broken church. Estimates of the number of denominations can be disheartening, ranging from several hundred to tens of thousands, depending on how you define...
There is that old time “joke” of calling seminary, “cemeteries.” What is the cause of this notorious designation you ask? I can personally testify to experiencing some of this so called “deadening” as the Bible becomes a piece of literature to...
Confession: I’m a night owl. I can’t do mornings. And yet, there is a long tradition in the Church of beginning your day with devotional meditation with God. I’m working on it. But in the meantime, one of the great ironies is that few things can put...
What is brotherhood? One definition I came across is, “the feeling of kinship with and closeness to a group of people or all people.” I would like to venture to say that brotherhood is necessary in seminary and generally, in life. As a second year...
Easter is just 10 days away, and your plans are probably in full swing. Whether it’s putting on a big Easter meal or an entire Easter service, there’s no question that this season can get bogged down with plans and preparations. The death and...
As Easter Sunday approaches, now’s a great time to ask how to make sure your Easter sermon connects with your audience. Here are three ways to do just that. Preach with power through vivid illustrations and practical application Since the days...
I’m writing this article so I don’t have to do Greek homework. The worst part is I know I’m procrastinating. Actually, that’s not the worst part… I have put my Greek homework off for the whole week. Now that I have that confessions off my chest, we...
Postmodern culture often celebrates diversity, but the multitude of viewpoints can make sensible dialogue challenging. As American Christians endure yet another fiery political season, the temptation to throw up our hands in defeat and frustration...
It’s easy to become confused while reading the prophets’ depictions of God. Malachi, for instance, warns that God is a powerful warrior who will consume all evildoers in the fire of his judgment (Mal 4:1). In contrast, Isaiah anticipates God’s...