Archive for July 2020
Barrett’s Book Notes: Ascension, Union with Christ, and John Chrysostom
I am a voracious reader, in part because I enjoy reading, in part because I believe reading is essential to maturing theologically and as a Christian. Lately, I was asked to read and endorse a number of books. Here they are and why I think you might just enjoy them: The Ascension of Christ, by…
Read MoreDoctrine for Life: Recent Episodes from the Credo Video Series
In the last several episodes of the Credo Video series, a range of topics have been covered, including the Rule of Faith, philosophy, Christ’s ascent, mission of the church, cross and kingdom, the book of Micah, and the canon. In each episode, fellow theologians talk about the most important doctrines of the faith and the…
Read MoreHilary of Poitiers: The Hammer of the Arians
The new issue of Credo Magazine, “The Great Tradition,” focuses on the early Church Fathers. The following is an excerpt from one of the issue’s featured articles by Peter Barnes. Rev. Dr. Peter Barnes is a Presbyterian pastor who lives in Sydney, Australia. He has served on the mission field in Vanuatu, ministered on the Nambucca…
Read MoreDoctrine for Discipleship
Spiritual formation is happening all the time. Culture and society are in the full-time business of making disciples, not to life in Christ but to a variety of lifestyles, all informed by culturally conditioned pictures of health, wellness, and fitness. As we have seen, however, it is notoriously difficult to define fitness by itself, which…
Read MoreHelp! My Kids Don’t Like Going to Church
For families with kids, Sunday mornings can be a theater for spiritual drama. Whether you have toddlers who scream that their church shoes pinch or teenagers who slouch out the door fifteen minutes late, it’s not easy to get to church. And the struggle doesn’t necessarily stop once you’re in the car. Kids often grumble…
Read MoreTheology for Worship: A Gift from James Innell Packer (1926-2020)
Theology teaches us how to apply revealed truth for the leading of our lives; thus theology guides our steps, grants us vision, and fuels our worship, while at the same time disinfecting our minds from the inadequate, distorted and corrupt ideas of God and godliness that come naturally to our fallen intellect.[1] In my first…
Read MoreParenting Essentials: An Interview with Andreas and Margaret Köstenberger
This world is in desperate need of moms and dads who embrace their God-given role as parents and steward that role with humility, grace, tenacity, sacrificial love, and humor. Now empty nester parents themselves, Andreas and Margaret Köstenberger have written Parenting Essentials: Equipping Your Children for Life to share biblical wisdom with parents. The following is my…
Read MoreSurprises of Old Testament Use of Old Testament: Part 5
This post concludes this series with another surprise that came out of researching and writing a reference work for students and ministers of the word on the use of scripture within Israel’s scriptures entitled Old Testament Use of Old Testament.[1]. (See parts one, two, three, and four). Unexpected Observation Five: Well-known Teachings as Culminations of…
Read MoreDid the Gospels get Jesus right?
Did the Gospels get Jesus right? Are the sayings of Jesus invented or fabricated? Why are there differences in the Gospels? How should we respond to claims like that of Bart Ehrman? Why is divine authorial intent crucial for understanding what Jesus is claiming and what the Gospel writers believe? In this episode, Matthew Barrett…
Read MoreNew Podcast: Did the Gospels Get Jesus Right?
Did the Gospels get Jesus right? Are the sayings of Jesus invented or fabricated? Why are there differences in the Gospels? How should we respond to claims like that of Bart Ehrman? Why is divine authorial intent crucial for understanding what Jesus is claiming and what the Gospel writers believe? In this episode, Matthew Barrett…
Read MoreSpending Time with Dr. Packer
They say meeting your hero is sure to disappoint, but I didn’t find that to be true with Dr. J. I. Packer. Long before meeting Dr. Packer—when I started working at Regent College in 2017—I was already self-appointed head of the J. I. Packer fan club. I started reading his books during my undergraduate degree…
Read MoreSurprises of Old Testament Use of Old Testament: Part 4
The posts of this series present surprises that came out researching and writing a reference work for students and ministers of the word on the use of scripture within Israel’s scriptures entitled Old Testament Use of Old Testament.[i] (See parts one, two, and three.) Even before the years of formal research for the reference work,…
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