Intended Allegory in the Song of Songs?

For a number of years now learned interpreters of Scripture have been telling us that the Song of Songs is (primarily) about human love. I put the word primarily in parentheses in that last sentence for a reason. I had grown so accustomed to the emphasis on human love in the Song that I had …

What Flag Do Your Words Wave?

The way that we view the world is reflected in the words that we use to talk about it. At Ray Van Neste’s recommendation I’m beginning to read The Language of Canaan and the Grammar of Feminism by Vernard Eller, a short little book of 56 pages. He quotes Karl Barth on the important point …

Go to the Ant

Proverbs 6:6, “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.” Some time back we watched some video with the kids, probably a BBC thing on the world or something of the sort, and I noted down some stats on what ants accomplish–these were ants in Africa, I think, but I don’t …

A Journey through Revelation in Tomball, TX

If you are in the Tomball, Spring, The Woodlands, Magnolia, or Houston area, I join with Pastor Jeff Medders to invite you to Redeemer Church’s first Bible Conference: A Journey through Revelation. Join us for a journey through one of the most difficult books in the Bible, the book of Revelation. Four sessions, question and …

The History and Future of Redemption: Isaiah 6 in Acts 28

Back in September of 2009 I had the privilege of participating in the Evening of Eschatology, and the next day I gave a lecture to the students of The Bethlehem College and Seminary. I knew the lecture had been recorded, but I didn’t know it was online until just now, when I received an email …

As Deserts Are with Sands

Set in vast realms of space Across an untold time The sprawling story he creates, Sings the song sublime. The music pure made matter hard, The words became the real. What is was built by his mere word, The worlds the words do feel. A garden sprang up from the song, Replete with sacred tree, …

How I Mark My Bible

As I read the Bible, I try to make note of repeated words, resumed themes, quotations of earlier passages, and other key ideas. I don’t want simply to see them, however, and move on. I want to mark them so that when I later have a vague recollection of something I read a while ago …

Championship Basketball

It’s better to honor God than to win, but that doesn’t mean we don’t try to honor God by winning! My oldest son’s 9 year old basketball team played in the championship game at Southeast Christian Church today, and with a great team effort we came home with the victory. Our watchwords were Defense, Dedication, …

The Beauty and Joy of Answered Prayer

I’m so thankful for Jason Skaer (follow him on twitter), and what a joy to read this account of how the Lord answered prayer and provided: PROPERTY PRAYER – There were many nights where the men’s ministry consisted of monthly gatherings on the corner of Branch Crossing and Alden Bridge to pray.  I remember hot …

Brothers, Bitzer Was a Banker: Welcoming a new edition of Brothers, We Are Not Professionals

I’m glad that B&H has brought an updated and expanded edition of John Piper’s Brothers, We Are Not Professionals, not least because of the chapter entitled, “Brothers, Bitzer Was a Banker.” You can read an earlier version of this chapter here. May the Lord make us people of the book. And may ministers and those …

God’s Indwelling Presence: Five Sermons on the Spirit

Were old covenant believers indwelt by the Holy Spirit? What does the Old Testament say about where God took up residence? What does the New Testament say about the issue? If believing members of the old covenant remnant were not indwelt by the Spirit, how did they believe and remain faithful? What about those whom …

The Epic Quest of Your Life

The Journey to the Bible’s World: The Epic Quest of Your Life Sydney Carton went to a far better rest than he had ever known. Jane Eyre heard the voice of her old master. Alexei helped his brother Dmitri escape. Raskolnikov found grace with Sonya. Jean Valjean became a father to Cosette. Bilbo found the …

We Love Homeschooling

I am so thankful that our kids are enrolled in Hamilton Classical Academy, and here’s just one reason. The other day their history book from Veritas Press (Pages of History by Bruce Etter and Alexia Detweiler) introduced this acorn to oak-tree concept of the growth of the promises in the OT from the acorn of …

A Revelation Symposium in Reno

Sierra Bible Church in Reno, NV is hosting a Revelation Symposium on Saturday, February 23, 2013. I’m looking forward to interacting with Sam Waldron and Gary DeMar. Details here. Then Lord willing, Sunday, February 24, 2013, it will be my privilege to preach the word at Sierra Bible. If you’re in the area, I’d love …