Clause 2 has two sentences. Taken together, they capture the twofold dynamic of the Bible, moving from God’s gracious self-revelation to our thankful response.
Book Review: ESV Expository Commentary
Over the last few years, Crossway has released a new Biblical commentary series called ESV Expository Commentary. Of course, with their publication, every new Bible commentary series must answer the same fundamental question: what—if anything—sets it apart? Do We Really Need Another Bible Commentary Series? Pastors, teachers, scholars, and lay readers all ask this whenever…
We Believe: And His Kingdom Will Have No End
Old Testament Context This line from the Nicene Creed, “and his kingdom will have no end,” is a simple case of Old Testament continuity and fulfillment. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it…
The Four Mountains of Scripture’s Story
“Moses wanted more than anything else to see the face of God, but on Mount Sinai, God wouldn’t let him. But God granted Moses’ wish on Tabor when he saw Jesus face to face. If you believe in Jesus as Lord and God, you too will see the face of God just as Moses did…
We Believe: In Accordance with the Scriptures
At first glance, it’s easy to assume that the Nicene Creed’s phrase “in accordance with the Scriptures” refers to one or two Old Testament proof texts. After all, Paul uses this exact formula in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4: Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures … he was raised on the third day in accordance…
The Presentation of Our Lord: The Message of Candlemas
Why does the Church return to Jesus’ infancy every February 2 for the Feast of the Presentation, also called Candlemas? The reason is both chronological and theological.
The Sacrifice of the Ox: A Guide to the Gospel of Luke
In Luke, Jesus begins life like an ox, in an ox’s manger, bringing good news for the poor. He bears burdens and brings prosperity.
William Tyndale: A Translator Tested By Fire
William Tyndale was the father of the English Bible and the first to translate the text from its Hebrew and Greek original. Forced into exile, Tyndale printed his Bibles on the European continent and smuggled them back into England. Though the authorities burned Tyndale’s Bibles and then Tyndale himself, their fire did not consume his…
The Deep Compassion of Jesus
The compassion of Jesus runs deep: it is deeply felt in his body and deeply present in his ministry and his teaching. We can observe and imitate the consistent structure of Jesus’ compassion, learning how compassion can move us from vision to action. Most of all, we should rest in Jesus’ deep compassion for us….
The Heart of the Man: A Guide to the Gospel of Matthew
Most animals behave in predictable ways. But humans are unpredictable on account of their hearts. A man outwardly obedient and outwardly blessed may sin the next day because his heart is not satisfied in God. Yet the pure in heart, be he poor or afflicted, will finally come to see God. The Tetramorph Over the…
46 Theses on Lectio Divina
There are many excellent books on Lectio Divina, the sacred reading of Scripture. The problem with these books is that they are books—long and easily divorced from the actual contemplative practice. Instead, I offer a list of 46 “theses” or “chapters” on Lectio Divina. Each thesis is short, distilling thoughts and quotations into a single…
The Bible: Walking in God’s Word (Jerusalem Declaration Clause 2.2)
The Jerusalem Declaration offers a set of principles to guide us in our Christian walk, as outlined in the second sentence of Clause 2: “The Bible is to be translated, read, preached, taught and obeyed in its plain and canonical sense, respectful of the church’s historic and consensual reading.”