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Writing

Explore our collection of theological essays, biblical studies, and reflections on faith and culture.

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Revelation

What is the Worth of 666 Talents of Gold?

The 666 talents of gold are worth an awful lot, not just in terms of money but in terms of theological meaning–at least worth a lot more than most modern Evangelical commentators would think. In Revelation 13:18 we are told that the number of the beast is a number “of…

by Mark HorneJune 7, 1997
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Creation

The Days of Genesis 1: A Test Case for Evangelical Hermeneutics

There is a debate going on between professing Bible-believers about the meaning of Genesis One and the six "days" recorded therein. Is the cosmos about six thousand years old or is it many billions of years old? Was the universe six days old when human life came into existence or…

by Mark HorneJune 7, 1997
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Baptism

In the Spirit of Elijah

Understanding John the Baptist in Light of Biblical Theology Anyone who has read Geerhardus Vos’ Biblical Theology cannot help but recognize its immense value to those wanting to better understand Scripture. Nevertheless, we would dishonor Vos if we did not seek to go beyond him once he has placed us…

by Mark HorneJune 6, 1997
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History

Heart of Gold, Mouth of Gold

John Chrysostom’s Commitment, Communication, & Conception of the Pastoral Office (Completed in December 5, 1996, in fulfillment of the requirements for the J. R. Wilson Preaching lectures delivered by Dr. Robert S. Rayburn) In Antioch and then in Constantinople, John Chrysostom grew in wisdom and stature with men and God…

by Mark HorneJune 5, 1997
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Angels

Twelve Fundamental Avenues of Revelation, Part 4

This kind of language is revelatory in a particular way, different from ordinary language. It reveals man as the image of God, as the ruler of creation, as having authority over other persons in various ways, etc. It is the particular kind of language used by rulers as they rule,…

by James B. JordanJune 3, 1997
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Biblical Chronology

John Sailhamer Weighs In, Part 3

We continue our analysis of John Sailhamer’s book *Genesis Unbound: A Provocative New Look at the Creation Account* (Multnomah Books, 1996), which argues that Genesis 1:2ff. is not about the creation of the whole world, but about the preparation of the Land of Eden, which is also the Promised Land.…

by James B. JordanJune 3, 1997

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Semper reformanda

In his contribution to Denominationalism , Winthrop Hudson suggests that one of the principles of English Independent ecclesiology was the refusal to “make our present judgment and practice a binding law unto ourselves for the future” (25). It's a stance based on a recognition of fallibility and proneness to sin.…

June 10, 2015

Where there's fire...?

The Greek kapnos (“smoke”) appears twelve times in Revelation. Hold that number, because it might be significant. The twelve uses are grouped into six scenes, alternating between smoke having to do with the worship and glory of God and smoke from hell or hell's allies: A. Smoke of incense, 8:4…

June 9, 2015

On Subjects and Objects

“I believe in subjects and objects,” writes David Martin at the outset of his Future of Christianity (4). He illustrates with a sociological example: He believes in “religious visions of the world to come and the objective status of the dynamics of social and political action.” Martin intends to resist…

June 9, 2015

Notes Toward a Johannine Theory of Labor

Jesus tells His disciples that they are being sent into a field to harvest where they had not sown or labored. “One sows, and another reaps” (John 4:35-38). It's a principle of ministry: Ministry starts in the middle. Even in a fresh mission field, the missionary doesn't enter a place…

June 9, 2015

Sources of Schism

In a study of American Protestant schisms between 1890 and 1990, John Sutten and Mark Chaves claim that churches don't divide for purely doctrinal reasons, but rather “in response to attempts by denominational elites to achieve organizational consolidation” (171). The 1848 schism within the Plymouth Brethren, for instance, was about…

June 9, 2015

Owen and Mather on Union

In an essay on “Rules of Walking in Fellowship,” John Owen claimed that “Union is the main aim and most proper fruit of love ; neither is there any thing or duty of the saints in the gospel pressed with more earnestness and vehemency of exhortation than this.” For Owen,…

June 8, 2015

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