Category Archives: Opening the Bible

Mark And Chronology

Although Mark follows a general chronological approach in recounting of the story of Jesus (as do the other gospel writers), he’s not married to it. More to the point, he never claims to be.   So, it’s a serious error to think that Mark somehow isn’t inspired because absolutely every detail isn’t arranged chronologically. Though weContinue reading “Mark And Chronology”

It Is All Connected!

I’m saying nothing new to anyone to note that in the West there has been a marked drift away from the acknowledgement of, the worship of, and service to, God. The trivialization of Him, secularism, materialism, and other forces have contributed to this. What’s less acknowledged is that seemingly paralleling this decline, there has beenContinue reading “It Is All Connected!”

The Glories Of God’s Kingdom

The story featuring the question to Jesus about fasting is the third in a series of five stories of conflict (Mark 2:1-3:6). The first two stories (the healing of the paralyzed man, Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners) celebrate the power and scope of forgiveness in the kingdom (2:1-17), while the last two (theContinue reading “The Glories Of God’s Kingdom”

There’s Within My Heart A Melody

Our church had a singing recently. It was one of those where we had the opportunity to request our favorites. Only instead of calling out the name of the song, we called out the number in the songbook (as we always do). So on this particular occasion there was a flurry of “number calling” asContinue reading “There’s Within My Heart A Melody”

Kingdom Authority

One of the things Mark wants us to see in the first chapter of his gospel has to do with the kingdom authority Jesus possesses. The people of Rome knew all about kingdom power in the sense of “might makes right,” but Mark shows them something radically different in Jesus. With his quote of IsaiahContinue reading “Kingdom Authority”

Not Even Close!

The ecosystem Mark constructs in chapter one of his gospel is . . . well, it’s overwhelming. While chapters weren’t part of original text (they came later), nonetheless, what the Spirit guided Mark to include in the portion of his gospel we refer to as the first chapter is nothing short of amazing. If youContinue reading “Not Even Close!”

Press On!

You can find two types of people at the gym. The first group is easily identifiable. They are the ones huffing and puffing, sweating, possibly grunting, or making other noises. They are the people who came to the gym to work out. They are pushing themselves because well . . . that’s the whole pointContinue reading “Press On!”

Knowing Christ (3)

We’ve discussed how knowing Christ means 1) we find our central identity and status in Him, 2) understanding the power of His resurrection, and 3) proclaiming, rehearsing, and displaying His redemptive suffering in our lives. But how do we do that last one? Is it simply through sitting in comfortable assemblies, eating the bread andContinue reading “Knowing Christ (3)”

Knowing Christ (2)

Paul goes on to contrast the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ with that which comes through the law (v. 9). He’s already told us that he was “faultless” or “blameless” in regard to possessing a righteousness from the law (v. 6). He’s certainly not saying he was perfect (as an understanding of theContinue reading “Knowing Christ (2)”