I wrote this article with two purposes in mind: (1) to understand 1 Samuel 25 and (2) to make a hermeneutical demonstration of the appropriate use of cultural backgrounds.
I Sing the Mighty Power of God—Additional Stanza
Yesterday, I preached on Psalm 147 (Psalms Series). As I was thinking about a good hymn of response to this psalm, "I Sing the Mighty Power of God" by Isaac Watts came to mind. But I just felt that it was missing some key elements to it. Plus, the hymn has only 3 stanzas. So,… Continue reading I Sing the Mighty Power of God—Additional Stanza
Why Pray Lament Psalms?
Over the last three months, I have been preaching through a short series on selected psalms. Three of the psalms in the sermons series were laments. Consider the following. “O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, ‘There is no salvation for him in God.’… Continue reading Why Pray Lament Psalms?
The Message of Acts
As I read the Book of Acts, four key components stand out: the agency of the Spirit, the proclamation of the kingdom, the means of the Word and prayer, and the movement of gospel advancement. Photo by Daciana Cristina Visan on Pexels.com 1. The Holy Spirit is the agent of gospel advancement. All through Acts,… Continue reading The Message of Acts
God’s Glory Is Displayed Most Visibly through Healthy Churches
In Ephesians 1, all the spiritual blessings God the Father gave his people—choosing us in Christ, adoption, redemption through Christ’s blood, forgiveness, inheritance, sealing of the Holy Spirit, etc. (Eph 1:3–14)—were all for the praise of God’s glory (Eph 1:6, 12, 14). God is saving his people for his glory. In this great redemptive work, God saves people dead in their sins only by his grace through faith (2:1–9) to display his grace in Christ (2:7). God gathers all the redeemed and unites them together as one body in Christ—Jews and Gentiles together—to make up the church (2:11–22).
Partipants, Not Spectators
There are two kinds of people who enter a sports arena. There are the fans. With pompoms and face paint, they are excited and ready to be entertained. Then there are the players. They are not there to be entertained, but to compete. If you're not a sports fan, this dichotomy also works in the arts. There are theater-goers, and then, there are the actors and the production team. In both worlds, there are spectators, and there are participants.
Elders and Deacons
The New Testament considers only two offices for the church: elders/pastors and deacons (cf. 1 Tim 3:1-17). Different terms, however, may be used to refer to the same office.
“What Is the Gospel?” by Greg Gilbert — a Book Review
Since the gospel creates the church, a biblical understanding of the gospel is significant in the life of the church. The opposite is also true: a wrong understanding of the gospel is detrimental and could lead to the death of local churches. Thus, Greg Gilbert’s What Is the Gospel? provides a significant contribution as he clarifies and defends the biblical gospel and the centrality of the cross.
Greg Gilbert Trilogy Is Now Available in Taglish
Bakit nga ba maaasahan ang Bible? Malinaw itong sinasagot ni Greg Gilbert. Hindi niya iniiwasan ang mga mahihirap na tanong kagaya ng: bakit maraming iba’t ibang translations? Bakit apat lang na Gospels ang kasama sa Bible? Ang mga sagot niya ay nagbibigay ng confidence na ang Bible ay talaga ngang Salita ng Diyos. Si Cristo talaga ay bumangon mula sa kamatayan. Kung may pagdududa ka, basahin mo ito. Kung ikaw naman ay isang Cristiano na, ang librong ito ay magpapalakas sa iyong kumpyansa sa Bible para lalo mo pang pag-aralan at sundin ang sinasabi nito para sa kaluwalhatian ng Diyos.
“Three in One: Analogies for the Trinity” by William David Spencer – A Book Review
Spencer argues for the legitimacy of the use of imagery in teaching the Trinity. For Spencer, such complex doctrine requires natural illustration to help us understand the Triune Godhead. Spencer’s research is thorough, and the structure of his argument is well-presented. I began reading this monograph as a critic who denied any value for using images to teach the Trinity. While I remain unconvinced by Spencer’s arguments, reading Spencer made me realize one way the use of imagery in teaching the Trinity may be helpful, but it may not be in the same way intended by Spencer. Before presenting this one way that imagery could be helpful, here are three arguments against the legitimacy of the use of imagery to teach the Trinity: What then is the help of these illustrations of the Trinity? One thing that this monograph helped me realize as Spencer kept citing his students’ responses is that these illustrations could be a pedagogical tool to negatively demonstrate what the Trinity is not. In other words, since these illustrations all come short of the entire concept of the Trinity, they are helpful in so far as the teacher demonstrates how the Trinity is unlike any of these images. Once the point of distinction is made, the understanding of the biblical teaching of the Trinity becomes apparent. In this negative way—and only in this way—images and illustrations are helpful in the teaching of the Trinity.
“Five Views on the New Testament Canon” — A Book Review
How did we end up with 27 books in the New Testament? Are these books authoritative because they were selected as part of the NT canon, or were they selected because they were authoritative? Various groups within Christendom think about the NT canon differently. The contributors to this monograph are Darian R. Lockett (conservative evangelical), David R. Nienhuis (progressive evangelical), Jason David Beduhn (liberal Protestant), Ian Boxall (Roman Catholic), and George L. Parsenios (Eastern Orthodox). I am reading this monograph coming from a conservative evangelical viewpoint with a historic fundamentalist heritage. I am not unaware of my bias in this review, but I am not ashamed of it either. In all honesty, no one approaches the discussion with complete neutrality. So the editors, Stanley E. Porter and Benjamin P. Laird, write in the introduction, We further anticipate that many readers will be confronted with viewpoints and perspectives that they have not seriously considered and that they will be encouraged to carefully examine the merits of their own positions and to engage in further research and reflection.”
New Covenant Themes in the Cana Cycle: A Literary-Theological Reading of John 2-4
Below is a video of my presentation of "New Covenant Themes in the Cana Cycle" in the New and Living Way podcast. I'm thankful to RD Pineda for the gracious invite.
The NET Eternity Now New Testament Series Box Set – A Review
The Bible set I have dreamed about came in the mail last week. The NET Eternity Now New Testament Series Box Set is one way to read the New Testament that is fresh, illuminating, and devotional. This set divides the New Testament into five volumes.
“Revelation: Through Old Testament Eyes” by Tremper Longman III – A Book Review
Revelation: Through Old Testament Eyes is an insightful resource for students of Scripture doing exegetical research in Revelation. This review consists of two parts. First, I will list key contributions of this commentary. Second, I will demonstrate how I used this commentary in preparing a recent sermon. I received a free copy of this commentary from the publisher, Kregel Academic, in exchange for an honest review.
“James: An Exegetical Guide for Preaching and Teaching (Big Greek Idea Series)” by Herbert W. Bateman IV & William C. Varner– A Book Review
The Big Greek Idea Series is an excellent resource for preachers and Greek students. The volume on James by Hebert W. Bateman IV and William C. Varner will invigorate pastors who have forgotten their Greek and persuade Greek students that mastering Greek is not in vain. I received a free copy of this commentary from the publisher, Kregel Academic, in exchange for an honest review. In this review, I will make comments on three areas. First, I want to present four ways this volume benefits pastors and Greek students. Second, I will examine the exegetical analysis given in this commentary on selected texts. Lastly, I have two very minor quibbles I observed from this volume.
“Colossians and Philemon: A Commentary for Biblical Preaching and Teaching” (Kerux Commentaries) – A Book Review
Adam Copenhaver and Jeffrey D. Arthurs have contributed a commentary designed for preachers and teachers. I received a copy of this commentary from the publisher, Kregel, in exchange for an honest review. When evaluating commentaries, I typically look at three areas: 1) key features (usually dictated by the commentary series); 2) discussion regarding introductory issues… Continue reading “Colossians and Philemon: A Commentary for Biblical Preaching and Teaching” (Kerux Commentaries) – A Book Review
“A History of Evangelism in North America” edited by Thomas P. Johnston – A Book Review
A History of Evangelism in North America is a collection of essays by various authors edited by Thomas P. Johnston. The goal of this collection is simple: “The goal was to offer a breadth of concurrent evangelism methodologies, which in some cases includes considerable interactions between the subjects. The result portrays God’s oversight of evangelism as North American Christians sought to obey Christ’s Great Commission in their generation.” This collection of biographical sketches and historic movements rekindles one’s passion in evangelism. I received a free copy of this collection from the publisher, Kregel Publications, in exchange for an honest review.
Thompson Chain-Reference Bible – A Review
se it well until I was 25! Dr. Frank Charles Thompson first published the cross-reference notes in the wide margin of his Bible in 1908. The TCRB is a comprehensive cross-reference tool that has been used for Bible study since then. It has more than 4,000 topical listings and 100,000 marginal references. In light of search engines and the growing use of Bible study software, is there still a void that the TCRB can fill? This is the primary question I seek to answer in this review.
“John through Old Testament Eyes: A Background and Application Commentary” by Karen H. Jobes — A Book Review
You cannot fully understand the New Testament without a solid grasp of the Old Testament. This is why I’m thankful for Karen Jobes’ contribution, John: Through Old Testament Eyes. This volume will aid teachers and preachers of God’s Word to see how the Old Testament illuminates our understanding of John’s Gospel. I received a free copy of this commentary from the publisher, Kregel Publications, in exchange for an honest review.
The Irrevocable Nature of Salvation and the Warning Passages
Why are there warning passages if God has promised that our salvation will not be lost? This post is three years late. In 2018, I contributed an article on the topic of the irrevocable nature of salvation and the warning passages, focusing on John's Gospel. The online link to the article can be found here.… Continue reading The Irrevocable Nature of Salvation and the Warning Passages
Church Unity Motif in the Fourth Gospel – Paper Presentation at Southeastern Regional ETS
This year's Southeast Regional Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) was hosted by Charleston Sothern University. (Hopefully, BJU Seminary would host it next year). Dr. Scott Swain was the plenary speaker. He spoke on "God, Metaphysics, and the Discourse of Theology" and "God, the Bible, and Being." I'm thankful for the opportunity to share my paper at… Continue reading Church Unity Motif in the Fourth Gospel – Paper Presentation at Southeastern Regional ETS
A Useful, but Dangerous Tool – A Review of Kristy Cambron’s NIV Verse Mapping Bible
Anytime someone reads and studies God’s Word, it is a good thing. You certainly do not need a seminary degree to study God’s Word. Studying God’s Word prayerfully in dependence on the Spirit yields good fruit. These things are all true. This is why I think Kristy Cambron’s NIV Verse Mapping Bible has lots of… Continue reading A Useful, but Dangerous Tool – A Review of Kristy Cambron’s NIV Verse Mapping Bible
“40 Questions about Biblical Theology” by DeRouchie, Martin, and Naselli–A Book Review
Perhaps the best one-stop shop for an introduction to biblical theology is 40 Questions about Biblical Theology by Jason DeRouchie, Oren Martin, and Andy Naselli. This monograph covers the definition, methodology, examples, and applications of biblical theology. It is thorough, concise, and even devotional. Anyone teaching a beginner’s course on BT or new to the… Continue reading “40 Questions about Biblical Theology” by DeRouchie, Martin, and Naselli–A Book Review
Recommended Podcasts – Part 2
Whether I’m driving on the highway, running on the elliptical, or playing NBA 2K, I like to tune in to some podcasts. I have classified them into two categories. Last week, I posted six podcasts for learning the Bible and pastoral ministry. You can see them here. In this post (#7-#10), the podcasts are more leaning towards academic discussions.
A Conversation on Biblical Conversion with Filipino Pastors
Last night I was invited as a guest for Church Matters (episode 6: Usapang Conversion) sponsored by Treasuring Christ PH. The three regular hosts are pastors Derick Parfan (Baliwag Bible Christian Church), Franco Ferrer (International Baptist Church of Manila), and John Hofilena (Redeemer Christian Church Manila). The topic is on biblical conversion and the church.… Continue reading A Conversation on Biblical Conversion with Filipino Pastors
Recommended Podcasts – Part 1
Whether I’m driving on the highway, running on the elliptical, or playing NBA 2K, I like to tune in to some podcasts. I have classified them into two categories. In this post, I'll list podcasts for learning the Bible and pastoral ministry. Next week's post will be on podcasts for academic discussions.
Bible Reading Tools
The goal is not to check of a list of chapters or to finish reading the whole Bible in 365 days. The goal is to let the Words of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom (cf. Col 3:16). For what does it profit a man if he reads the entire Bible but does not understand what he reads? Let me share some of my favorite resources that I’m utilizing in my Bible reading this year. The first three tools are probably sufficient tools for many. To those who want a little more challenge, I have added two more.
Who Determines Meaning? Authorial Intent, Allegory, Literal Reading, and Biblical Theology
I was invited to speak on the topic of hermeneutics for the 31st Metro Manila Fundamental Bible Conference. Due to covid19, the entire conference was livestreamed in social media on October 20-23 (Manila time). My talk below is in English-Tagalog. Unfortunately, there are no English-only subtitles for those who do not understand Tagalog. Maybe someday.… Continue reading Who Determines Meaning? Authorial Intent, Allegory, Literal Reading, and Biblical Theology
“The Community of the Beloved Disciple” by Raymond Brown — A Book Review
Based on the assumption that a “Johannine community” existed as a Christian group distinct from the churches mentioned in Luke-Acts and Paul, Raymond Brown attempts to reconstruct this community by determining the life-situation of the original audience of the Fourth Gospel and John’s Letters. He stresses passages that are significantly different from the Synoptics, indicating theological interest for the Johannine community.
NIV Study Bible: Fully Revised Edition — A Review
Christians of the 21st century have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to Bible study tools. One valuable resource for God’s people is a study Bible. While there are many kinds of study Bibles, they are not all created equal. The best study Bibles are those that help the reader understand the Bible better. That is the goal of the NIV Study Bible, which is now in its 35th year. Having owned several study Bibles (ESV Study Bible, MacArthur, CSB Study Bible, etc.) and having reviewed other study Bibles here and here, I have seen the same helpful features that are found in many study Bibles. This includes charts, maps, and comments on the text. These features seem to be a given for study Bibles. In this review, however, I want to point out five unique features that I find to be the strengths of the NIV Study Bible.
40 Questions about Typology and Allegory by Mitchell L. Chase — A Book Review
In 40 Questions about Typology and Allegory, Mitchell Chase has provided concise, helpful, and comprehensive treatment on one of the longtime hermeneutical debates in the church going back to the Antiochian School and Alexandrian School in the fourth century: the interpretation of typology and allegory. With an affirmation of the authority, inspiration, and unity of the Bible, Chase aims to help Bible readers to be more faithful readers of Scripture and to see more fully the glory of the story of the Bible by orienting them to the subjects of typology and allegory. He presents his material in four key parts.
I Love the New Testament
Part of my preparation for my comprehensive exam next month, I must master the basic contours of the second half of the Christian Bible—the New Testament. While I am just scratching the surface, I have found this study so rewarding that I want to share my method and some of its fruits.
“Irenaeus on the Christian Faith: A Condensation of Against Heresies” by James Payton, Jr. — A Book Review
Irenaeus on the Christian Faith is James Payton’s condensation of the church father’s magnum opus, Against Heresies. Irenaeus, a theologian of the second century, presents a defense and presentation of the Christian faith against Gnosticism. In Book I of Against Heresies, Irenaeus painstakingly describes the gnostic teaching. He responds negatively in Book II by offering a thorough refutation. He then responds positively in Books III-V by presenting what Christians believe from the Apostles’ Teachings (Book III) and from the words of Christ (Book IV). Book V serves as an addendum, where Irenaeus adds “further teaching” from Christ and the Apostles. James Payton finds Irenaeus’ presentation of the Christian faith beneficial and edifying even for believers who are a couple millennia removed from the dangers of first century Gnosticism.
A Commentary on James by Aída Besançon Spencer (Kregel Series) — A Book Review
Aída Besançon Spencer has contributed a significant resource in the study of the Letter of James. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Kregel Publications, in exchange for an honest review. When evaluating exegetical commentaries, I typically look at three areas: 1) key features (usually dictated by the commentary series); 2) discussion… Continue reading A Commentary on James by Aída Besançon Spencer (Kregel Series) — A Book Review
“Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines” by David Mathis — A Book Review
David Mathis provides the church with encouragement and tools for spiritual growth in his monograph, Habits of Grace. Mathis highlights three principles of ongoing grace: hearing God's voice (Scripture), having God's ear (prayer), and belonging to his body (fellowship) (p. 15). His goal is to help the Christian see "how realistic and life-giving it can… Continue reading “Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines” by David Mathis — A Book Review
“Conversion: How God Creates a People” by Michael Lawrence — A Book Review
In Conversion, Michael Lawrence addresses the theological and practical problem that leads to false conversion in the church, especially among the children. He laments that, Too often our confessional theology says one thing, while our practical theology says something else. We say that regeneration makes us new creatures in Christ, but then we teach our… Continue reading “Conversion: How God Creates a People” by Michael Lawrence — A Book Review
“Prayer: How Praying Together Shapes the Church” by John Onwuchekwa — A Book Review
John Onwuchekwa teaches his readers how to pray better corporately (as churches). In this short volume, Onwuchekwa laments the lack of corporate prayer that slows down and lingers on God's glories, attributes, and character unhurriedly, as well as the lack of meditation that confesses specific sins. Onwuchekwa, John. Prayer: How Praying Together Shapes the Church.… Continue reading “Prayer: How Praying Together Shapes the Church” by John Onwuchekwa — A Book Review
“Between Faith and Criticism: Evangelicals, Scholarship, and the Bible in America” by Mark A. Noll – A Book Review
Mark Allan Noll, formerly a professor of history at the University of Notre Dame, is now a research professor of history at Regent College. He holds a Ph.D. in History of Christianity from Vanderbilt University (1975). His dissertation was “Church Membership and the American Revolution: An Aspect of Religion and Society from the Great Awakening… Continue reading “Between Faith and Criticism: Evangelicals, Scholarship, and the Bible in America” by Mark A. Noll – A Book Review
“The Idea of a Christian College” by Arthur F. Holmes — A Book Review
Arthur Holmes, in The Idea of a Christian College, argues for the role and importance of a Christian liberal arts education. Holmes, Arthur F. The Idea of a Christian College. Rev ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1987 Synopsis In chapter 1, Holmes argues that the purpose of a Christian college is to cultivate a liberal arts… Continue reading “The Idea of a Christian College” by Arthur F. Holmes — A Book Review
“Handbook of Christian Education” by Ron Horton — A Book Review
In Handbook of Christian Education, Horton provides a biblical philosophy for Christian education, outlining biblical teaching on education and deducing biblical principles regarding the teaching of subjects in a standard curriculum. Horton, Ronald. Handbook of Christian Education. Greenville, SC: BJU Press, 2017. Synopsis Part 1 In Part 1, Horton addresses the Christian Philosophy of education,… Continue reading “Handbook of Christian Education” by Ron Horton — A Book Review
“The Outrageous Idea of Christian Scholarship” by George M. Marsden – A Book Review
George M. Marsden is a Reformed Evangelical historian with a PhD in American history under Sydney Ahlstrom at Yale University. Marsden previously taught at Calvin College, Duke Divinity School, and University of Notre Dame. He has won the Bancroft Prize for his work Jonathan Edwards: A Life (2003)in 2004. His other works include Fundamentalism and… Continue reading “The Outrageous Idea of Christian Scholarship” by George M. Marsden – A Book Review
The Jesus Bible (Artist Edition) – A Review
Many who read the Bible in a year feel the struggle by the time they reach Leviticus. How can one read Leviticus theologically and devotionally? Enter The Jesus Bible. I received a review copy of The Jesus Bible (Artist Edition) free of charge as a member of BG2 and a #BibleGatewayPartner. This Bible is available… Continue reading The Jesus Bible (Artist Edition) – A Review
“Missions: How the Local Church Goes Global” by Andy Johnson—A Book Review
In Missions, Andy Johnson argues that the local church is responsible to identify, train, send, and support missionaries. Based primarily on a biblical understanding of the local church, the gospel, and missions, Johnson provides wise and practical counsel on how a local church effectively accomplishes its role in global missions. Johnson, Andy. Missions: How the… Continue reading “Missions: How the Local Church Goes Global” by Andy Johnson—A Book Review
“Mere Christianity” by C. S. Lewis—A Book Review
Mere Christianity is Lewis’ attempt to explain and defend the common beliefs among Christians (across denominations) to non-Christians. Thus, mere Christianity refers to the basics that all who profess to be Christians agree. Lewis has four topics in this book, which were originally talks given on the radio. In Book 1, Lewis argues for right… Continue reading “Mere Christianity” by C. S. Lewis—A Book Review
“Canon Revisited” by Michael J. Kruger — A Book Review
In Canon Revisited, Kruger defends the view that Christians have intellectually sufficient grounds for affirming that the 27 books rightfully belong to the canon of the New Testament (p. 20). Kruger responds to the de jure objection to the NT canon, which argues that Christians have no rational basis to know which books are part… Continue reading “Canon Revisited” by Michael J. Kruger — A Book Review
“Anatomy of the Fourth Gospel” by R. Alan Culpepper – A Book Review
Alan Culpepper’ Anatomy of the Fourth Gospel provides a seminal work on analyzing the narrative elements of the Fourth Gospel. Culpepper compares the literary features of secular literary criticism with John’s Gospel while also interacting with Johannine research. He employs the theoretical model from Seymore Chatman that focuses on the transmission of story from author… Continue reading “Anatomy of the Fourth Gospel” by R. Alan Culpepper – A Book Review
Brand New! NIV Life Application Study Bible 3rd Ed – A Review
More than any other generation in church history, our era has been blessed with a wealth of tools for understanding and applying the Bible. One of these tools is the NIV Life Application Study Bible (NIV LASB). I received a review copy of the NIV Life Application Study Bible, Third Edition free of charge as… Continue reading Brand New! NIV Life Application Study Bible 3rd Ed – A Review
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