Explore our collection of theological essays, biblical studies, and reflections on faith and culture.
My first title for this series of posts was “Evangelical Sacramental Ecumenism” – not exactly a clickbait title. But those three words, evangelical, sacramental, and ecumenical, say a lot: The centrality of the gospel; a focus on baptism, bread, and wine; and the quest for visible unity among diverse churches.…
I can imagine someone reading the title of this essay and saying to himself, "I have two questions. First, what in the world is “contextualization”?" Second, even before hearing the answer to the first question, he may wonder, "what does baptism have to do with such an awkward and vague…
Deuteronomy 21:18-21 My colleague Ralph Smith has recently written on this passage, here . I entirely agree with Ralph's thrust, which is typological, that the passage is ultimately aimed at the entire nation of Israel itself as the rebellious son. But what I am thinking is from another perspective, perhaps…
In the previous article in this series, I drew attention to the threefold meaning of the Spirit of God descending as a dove on Jesus at His baptism. On a related note, I also argued that 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 and Titus 3:3-7 were parallel passages that addressed the same issues…
The National Anthem protest is misguided. So too the conservative backlash. The Church’s response has been disappointing. I address each in turn. The greatest triumph of the American Civil Rights Movement was its seizing of the moral high ground in American politics. It did so by insisting only on those…
Peter Leithart’s book, The Priesthood of the Plebs: A Theology of Baptism , argues that baptism is parallel to and the fulfillment of the old covenant rite of priestly ordination. But this is not something explicitly stated in the New Testament. Why, then, should we believe it? Leithart shows in…
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a stately dance on a green lawn in the summer sun
a stately dance on a green lawn in the summer sun
Here are a couple of critical observations on NT Wright’s understanding of Abraham’s faith. I’m reflecting on Wright’s Romans commentary, and I offer these criticisms (to say it yet again) as one who thinks that much of what Wright writes is right. 1) Wright’s conception of faith as a “badge”…
Here are a couple of critical observations on NT Wright’s understanding of Abraham’s faith. I’m reflecting on Wright’s Romans commentary, and I offer these criticisms (to say it yet again) as one who thinks that much of what Wright writes is right. 1) Wright’s conception of faith as a “badge”…
Jesus on Trial, Luke 22:63?E3:25 INTRODUCTION Jesus?Etrial takes place in four stages: He is first brought before the Jewish Sanhedrin, who send Him to the Roman governor Pilate, who sends Him to Herod, who sends Him back to Pilate for a final verdict and sentence. At each stage, Jesus is…
Here are some notes for a lecture I’m presenting on March 24: Death Penalty in the Mosaic Law and Today INTRODUCTION The Mosaic law establishes the death penalty for a number of crimes. Not every violation of the 10 commandments was a capital crime (theft, for instance, required restitution), but…
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