Are We Allowed to Use OT Figures as Moral Examples?
For years, I have heard people say it. In books, in articles, in podcasts. Again and again, we are told that preachers cannot use OT stories as moral examples.
Why? Because it breaks the rules of Christ-centered preaching. If we talk about OT figures we can only discuss how they point forward to Christ. If we use them as a moral example then we have simply become moralists.
Or so we are told.
Now, it should be acknowledged that the motivation here is commendable. Yes, we want to preach Christ (though we need to define what that means more carefully). And yes we don’t want to advocate some sort … Continue reading...
RTS Charlotte Women’s Bible Study Has a New Look
As many of you know, from 2014 to 2016 I led a women’s Bible study on the RTS Charlotte campus on the book of Romans–42 installments in all.
Starting in 2017, the women’s Bible study resumed with the book of Hebrews. This past fall, we just finished the 25th installment and plan to wrap up the book in the Spring.
We continue to be encouraged to hear that the videos are being watched by folks all over the country and the world. I even heard a recent story of someone coming to Christ by watching the videos in California.
For those interested in getting the videos and handouts, RTS just … Continue reading...
Want to Give a Book for Christmas? Here’s My Top Ten List for Books on the Authority of Scripture
‘Tis the season. . . to give books.
I think solid Christian books are a great gift, and books on the authority of Scripture are always relevant in our world today.
Thus, for your shopping pleasure, I have compiled an annotated list of the all-time 10 best books on this topic. It goes without saying that such a list is highly selective (and debatable). So many good books deserve to be included.
But my list is guided by these main criteria: (a) books that focus on the theological side of biblical authority and not as much on the historical evidences for the Bible’s history (though some overlap is inevitable); (b) … Continue reading...
Is the Old Testament Still Relevant for Christians?
It goes without saying that there has been a lot of chatter lately about the applicability of the Old Testament for new covenant believers. For instance, you can check out my TGC article, “Why We Can’t Unhitch from the Old Testament,” a review of Andy Stanley’s latest book on this topic, Irresistible.
But, some people don’t have time for a lengthy article, and certainly not a book. If you (or someone you know) is looking for just a brief 3-minute summary of why the OT still matters, then here’s a video I did recently for Credo Magazine on this very question:
https://vimeo.com/303131785
Seven Lessons for Evangelical Scholars in the Secular Academy
Over the last couple of weeks, many evangelical scholars (including myself) attended the annual conferences of the Evangelical Theological Society and the Society of Biblical Literature (not to mention, the Institute for Biblical Research).
Many good papers were delivered (and heard), old friendships were rekindled, and everyone was asked the same question over and over: “So, what are you working on right now?”
While such conferences remind me of the joys of scholarship, they also remind me of the challenges. Sadly, there are many stories of well-intended evangelical scholars who set out to influence the academy, and the academy ends up influencing them. Some end up abandoning the very … Continue reading...