What Should We Make of the Hypothetical “Q” Source?
Students of the Gospels will know that there has been a long-standing discussion among scholars about the relationship between the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). These three Gospels are so similar at so many points (often word for word), that it raises a number of intriguing questions. Did they know each other? Did they use each other?
For generations, the dominant answer to this question has been the so-called “Two Source” hypothesis. In brief, that hypothesis argues that Mark wrote first, and then Matthew and Luke independently used Mark. Since Matthew and Luke did not know each other (so the argument goes), then the common material they share that … Continue reading...
Why Are People So Fascinated with ‘Lost’ Books of the Bible?
Exactly one month ago, I published a TGC article on the recently discovered ‘gospel’ manuscript from Oxyrhynchus, P.Oxy. 5575. This new manuscript is noteworthy for many reasons (which I cover in the article), but mostly because it includes material from the Gospel of Thomas laid alongside material from Matthew and Luke.
While such a discovery certainly deserves academic attention, the internet “buzz” generated by this new manuscript has been fascinating to watch. Indeed, it reminds me that there always seems to be a disproportionate cultural fascination with “lost” Gospel or “hidden” texts about Jesus. Write an article about the canonical Gospels and you might get a few hits. Write an … Continue reading...
A Wonderful New Kids Book on Contentment
OK, so I really love my wife’s new book. I know that may seem predictable since I am her husband, but this new kids book really captures some wonderful biblical truths in a winsome, fun, and entertaining way.
Melissa just released Lucy and the Saturday Surprise (Crossway, 2023), which is the latest installment in the TGC Kids series. It tells the story of a little girl named Lucy who gets to pick out a treat at the local candy story along with her brother. Soon, she regrets here choice and grows envious of the treat her brother got. As a result she engages in the well-worn pattern that coveting … Continue reading...
What I’ll Be Up to at the TGC National Conference
Next week, Sept 25-27 th , I’ll be headed to Indianapolis to participate in The Gospel Coalition National Conference entitled, “Hope in the Wilderness.”
The conference this year is unique because TGC is partnering with other organizations to offer “micro events.” These are sort of like smaller conferences within the larger conference. So, while TGC has invited plenary speakers, and even sponsored some of their own breakout sessions, each of these organizations have invited their own speakers.
On that note, Reformed Theological Seminary has a micro event with a number of speakers including myself, James Anderson, Greg Beale, Scott Swain, Leigh Swanson, Nancy Guthrie, Melissa Kruger, and Ligon Duncan.
In … Continue reading...
Are Christians Allowed to Doubt? My Conversation with Josh Chatraw
At the inaugural Keller Center gathering last spring, I got together with Josh Chatraw, Billy Graham Chair of Evangelism at Beeson Divinity School, to discuss this important issue of doubt in the Christian life. The video of our conversation is below.
Both of us have written on the subject. Josh has recently released an entire book on the topic along with Jack Carson, Surprised by Doubt: How Disillusionment Can Invite Us into a Deeper Faith (Brazos, 2023). And I have written on this topic here and there throughout my book, Surviving Religion 101: Letters to a Christian Student on Keeping the Faith in College (Crossway, 2021).
As an additional … Continue reading...