New Testament Studies in Titus: Exclusive Eldership (1:5-6) 14 Apr 2016 There are many “pastors” who really should not be in pastoral ministry. For several years I had the pleasure of serving as a church consultant with the National Society for…
New Testament Studies in Titus: 1:1-4 7 Apr 2016 Introductions within the Scriptures are never simply just greetings. They are packed with rich theology, and often set a tone and agenda for the New Testament epistles. Such is no…
New Testament Studies in Jude: The Call to Persevere (v. 17-25) 25 Feb 2015 Following Jesus is about perseverance. The Christian life is arduous and frustrating, sometimes even disappointing. Following Jesus requires of us the ability to persevere in the face of trial, discouragement,…
New Testament Studies in Jude: The Example of the False Teachers (v. 5-16) 18 Feb 2015 Arrogance, self-promotion, greed, and promiscuity. Hopefully these are not the hallmarks of your pastor. Throughout the Scriptures these are the characteristics that often define false teachers. These are characteristics unbecoming…
New Testament Studies in Jude: Contend for the Faith (v. 3-4) 11 Feb 2015 The church of Jesus Christ has always had enemies. There are those who attack, accuse, ridicule, and attempt to impede the church. Yet the New Testament is often less concerned…
New Testament Studies in Jude: Introduction 4 Feb 2015 What must it have been like to be the brother of Jesus? Contemplate for a moment the disbelief, the immense relational challenges that his family must have experienced as it…
New Testament Studies in 1 John: Spiral 4 17 Dec 2014 “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” It’s a peculiar way to end a letter, but that’s how the apostle John concludes his words to the churches of Asia Minor. He…
New Testament Studies in 1 John: Spiral 3 (The Moral Test) 10 Dec 2014 At the heart of the Christian life is love. It’s a specific kind of love - not that generalized anemic definition of love so popular in our culture - but…
New Testament Studies in 1 John: Spiral 3 (Part 1) 3 Dec 2014 “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared” (1…
New Testament Studies in 1 John: Spiral 2 (Part 2) 19 Nov 2014 Doubt is a common experience of believers. Christian faith is often challenged by the realities of a broken world, and the limitations of our own weakness. The apostle John knows…
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