Archive for June 2020
Why I Wrote “Before You Open Your Bible”
Our bookshelves bear witness: we live in a time of unprecedented access to biblically rich resources. From inspiring biographies to rigorous theology books to edifying devotional books, it can feel like an embarrassment of riches. No doubt the minds of many in our churches are well furnished as a result. Books on studying the Bible…
Read MoreThe Human Experience of Divine Illumination
There are few more treacherous areas in theology than the subjectivity of the human experience of God. George Lindbeck’s work, The Nature of Doctrine dealt the notion of experience a heavy blow. His argument against ‘experiential expressivism’ and the relativity of developing doctrine on the basis of subjective experience, made it difficult to defend the…
Read MoreThe Trinitarian Doctrine of Illumination in John
Illumination is one of the most profound experiences of the Christian faith. Illumination is the defining characteristic of the ‘Aha!’ moments of faith and as I will argue here, is at the heart of our participation in Christ’s work. The doctrine of illumination answers the question: how do we receive knowledge of God and how…
Read MoreDoes philosophy have a future in theological education?
Does philosophy have a future in theological education? What role does philosophy play alongside the more tangible disciplines in seminary? How does philosophy affect our preaching? Why is philosophy important in doing theology? In this video, Jamie Dew discusses the importance of philosophy and its role in theological education.
Read MoreNew Video: Does philosophy have a future in theological education?
Does philosophy have a future in theological education? What role does philosophy play alongside the more tangible disciplines in seminary? How does philosophy affect our preaching? Why is philosophy important in doing theology? In this video, Jamie Dew discusses the importance of philosophy and its role in theological education.
Read MoreHow to Read Judges Theologically (part two)
Judges does indeed recount one chapter in Israel’s history and in the unfolding drama of God’s redemption of the whole cosmos. The book portrays historical events from the settlement period (that period between the conquest of Canaan and the rise of monarchy in Israel), but its purpose is not merely historical. Crucial for reading Judges…
Read MoreHow to Read Judges Theologically (part one)
How do we read Judges theologically? A fine question and one which I love to be asked. Seldom an episode will pass and we don’t wonder what is going on in this book and how the bizarre and violent behaviour could possible instruct us theologically! Before jumping into the question about how to read Judges…
Read MoreAt the Feet of the Fake: What Fiction Can Teach Us About Theological Interpretation
The new issue of Credo Magazine, “The Truth Inside the Lie,” focuses on the relationship between theology and fiction. The following is an excerpt from Ronni Kurtz’s column, “At the Feet of the Fake: What Fiction Can Teach Us About Theological Interpretation.” Ronni Kurtz is the Managing Editor of For The Church and also serves as…
Read MoreThe Lord, Lord: Part 2
The asymmetry of Exodus 34:6–7 startles us. Mercy and love loom large; retributive justice is acknowledged but almost as a necessary afterthought. John Owen put it this way in commenting on this passage: When [God] solemnly declared his nature by his name to the full, that we might know and fear him, he does it…
Read MoreThe Lord, Lord: Part 1
Editor’s note: Content taken from Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund, ©2020. Used by permission of Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, crossway.org. Who is God? If we could pick only one passage from the Old Testament to answer that question, it would be hard to improve upon Exodus 34. God is revealing…
Read MoreWhat is simplicity and does it matter?
What does it mean for God to be unity as opposed to a God who is compounded of parts? Are God’s attributes and essence identical? How are immutability and eternity compromised if we reject simplicity? In this episode, Dr. Matthew Barrett is joined by Dr. James Dolezal to discuss divine simplicity, the attributes of God, the importance of…
Read MoreDoes Proverbs Promise Too Much? Proverbs 3:1-2
Editor’s note: This is the final part in a brief series on the book of Proverbs that Fred Zaspel is writing (see part one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, and eight). In this series, he will be noting an overview, certain themes, and specific texts in the book of Proverbs. My son, do not forget my teaching, but let…
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