The recent total eclipse got me thinking—not only about the event itself, but about the concept of an eclipse. They’ve been around as long as we have. To our distant ancestors, they were scary things. People in ancient China thought a cosmic dragon was trying to devour the sun. In response, they made as muchContinue reading “Nothing Eclipses God!”
Category Archives: Opening the Bible
Growing Off The Ground
Paul has some special things to say about the disciples at Thessalonica in his first letter to them. He spoke of their faith, hope and love (1:3), how they were a model to all believers (1:7), and how their faith in God had become known everywhere (1:9). But maybe the most amazing thing is thatContinue reading “Growing Off The Ground”
Paul’s Exit Strategy
Paul is in prison as he writes the church at Philippi. He might be in Rome (as traditionally thought), Caesarea, or even Ephesus (N.T. Wright). But wherever he is, he wishes the disciples at Philippi to know that “what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel” (1:12). The word for advance (prokope)Continue reading “Paul’s Exit Strategy”
When God Shows His Colors
The story of Noah begins the second cycle of the Genesis narrative (Brueggemann). In the first cycle, we see the creation of the world followed by rebellion—first through Adam and Eve, then by Cain, and finally Lamech (4:19ff). In the second cycle, we see rebellion (6:5ff) followed by re-creation, as God destroys the world inContinue reading “When God Shows His Colors”
Some Background on 1 Corinthians
Here’s what we know as it relates to Paul, Apollos, and the establishment and early years of the church at Corinth: 1. Paul started the church in Corinth somewhere around 50 AD (see Acts 18:1ff). After 18 months, he left for Ephesus where he didn’t stay long before heading to Jerusalem and Antioch (18:11,19-21). 2. Continue reading “Some Background on 1 Corinthians”
What Happened in the Garden?
It’s easy to look at Adam and Eve eating the fruit from the tree and think, “What’s the big deal? Their curiosity got the best of them and they messed up. That’s no reason to bring down the universe, is it? Who did they hurt? What is it about eating some fruit that justified theContinue reading “What Happened in the Garden?”
The Range of Redemption
The Corinthians understood they had been redeemed through Jesus, but like some disciples today, they didn’t grasp how wide-ranging their deliverance was. If you ask people today about their salvation many will tell you something to the effect of “my soul has been saved.” That’s gloriously true and worthy of the highest celebration—it just doesn’tContinue reading “The Range of Redemption”
Building on Jesus
The immaturity of the disciples at Corinth was anchored, to a large degree, by their infatuation with worldly wisdom (the words “wisdom” and “wise” appear 28 times in the first four chapters). Despite the eighteen months Paul had spent there and the letter he had written to them (5:9), they were stubbornly clinging to theirContinue reading “Building on Jesus”
Why Did God Create Man?
God created man to bless him—fully, richly, and deeply! In the creation account we hear words like blessed, fruitful, fill, subdue, rule over and I give all made in reference to him (Genesis 1:28-29). The highest expression of man’s favored status lies in the truth that he is made to be an image-bearer of the Trinity (v. 27). In this, man has cosmicContinue reading “Why Did God Create Man?”
The Pace of Grace
There’s a pace to grace. It’s like running a long distance race. No one in those races runs as fast as they can. Instead, they pace themselves so they’ll have enough strength to make it to the finish line. They find a nice rhythm on the straightaway to conserve energy so they’ll be able toContinue reading “The Pace of Grace”
