Bible, theology, culture, etc.
Sometimes, when we read the Bible or study theology, we are left confused. I’ve found that being able to categorize the specific type of problem helps bring some clarity on the best way to approach it, and to triage its level of importance. Exegetical Problems Think of a part of the Bible that is hard to understand. … Continue reading What’s Your Problem?
This is part two of The Best Cessationist Arguments (See The Best Arguments for Continuationism) (More) Biblical Arguments First, when considering whether or not we should expect miracles, healings, and exorcisms to be performed today in the same way it was performed in the time of Jesus and the apostles, we should realize (1) how … Continue reading The Best Arguments for Cessationism (Pt. 2)
In my previous article I attempted to provide what I thought were the best arguments for continuationism—a view that states that all or most of the spiritual gifts practiced in the New Testament continue today. While I am not finally persuaded by those arguments, I admit they are very strong. This is a difficult subject to be … Continue reading The Best Arguments for Cessationism (Part 1)
1 Corinthians 11:2-16 is complex for many reasons. One of the most bedeviling difficulties for interpreters is discerning what Paul precisely means by “covering” in this section. Generally, there are two possible interpretations, each with serious merit. I will be preaching a sermon on this passage soon, but have found a number of complex issues … Continue reading What Is the “Head Covering” of 1 Cor 11?
As Moses is writing the Exodus narrative down, he is doing so with a certain purpose: a theological purpose. Remember: Israel had been in the land of Egypt for 430 years before the Exodus event. That is long enough to have the culture of Egypt seep into the Hebrews. Further, when the Israelites leave, we are told … Continue reading Purging Egypt Out of Israel
The Exodus represents the archetypical act of Israel’s deliverance in the Old Testament. It is through the triumph of Yahweh over the powers of Egypt (represented by Pharaoh) that all future generations would see and remember the mighty right hand of Yahweh working salvation for their people (Ex 15). However, prior to the fantastic signs … Continue reading The תנן of Exodus 7
How should a pastor respond to false teaching in his church? With no shortage of heresy, the pages of church history have shown a myriad of examples of how the church has responded to false teachers in the past. From excommunication to execution, Christendom has always, though often imperfectly, fought to defend the faith once … Continue reading “Rebuke Them Sharply”: Critical Rebukes, Gentleness, and Tone in the Pastoral Epistles
So, anyone who thinks he has understood the divine scriptures or any part of them, but cannot by thus understanding build up this love of God and neighbor, has not yet succeeded in understanding them. - Augustine, On Christian Teaching Over the years I’ve derived these questions for my Bible reading and preaching as a vaccine against … Continue reading Asking Questions About God’s Loveliness for Bible Reading
And David would strike the land and would leave neither man nor woman alive. - 1 Sam 27:9 I have written at length and preached on the violent commands of the Old Testament before, but here I want to just present a set of interpretive principles that I think should be in place whenever we encounter passages that shock us, that … Continue reading Thinking Through Violent OT Passages
14 Points from Genesis that emphasize male-female differentiation What does it mean to be a man? What does it mean to be a woman? While it seems that this discussion is a fruitless endeavor that results in people only stating their personal preferences, we do find an objective perspective given to us in the first … Continue reading Men and Women in Creation
Marc Sims 