Author Archives
-
People of Hope (1 Peter 1:3)
Christians should be people of hope. If there’s one thing people today desperately need, it’s the kind of hope 1 Peter speaks about — the living hope that comes from the gospel.
-
Chosen Exiles: Reflections on 1 Peter 1:1-2
1 Peter’s opening words teach us that Christian identity is all about our covenant relationship to Jesus Christ and our walk with him. Everything we are and do should flow from that identity. And every trial we suffer can be overcome because of that identity.
-
Was 1 Peter Written to Jews or Gentiles? Why the Answer Matters More Than You Might Think
The opening line of 1 Peter identifies it as a letter from “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ: To those chosen, living as exiles dispersed abroad in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia…” (1:1, CSB). At first blush, the wording suggests that Peter is addressing… Read More ›
-
No One Can Come to Jesus Unless the Father Draws Them: Two Views on Election in John 6
Jesus makes some startling claims in John 6. What does it mean that no one can come to him unless they’re drawn by the Father? Here are two ways Christians have interpreted his statements.
-
Best Commentaries on 1 Peter
If you want to go deeper in your study of a book of the Bible, it’s important to have a few good commentaries at hand. The best ones will explain the nuances of the original language, introduce the historical circumstances… Read More ›
-
Exploring Scripture: 1 Peter
This fall, I’ll be leading the young adults in our church through a study of the book of 1 Peter. I chose this book to teach through for several reasons. The first is just that it’s one of my personal… Read More ›
-
Book Review: A New Testament Theology by Craig L. Blomberg
Craig Blomberg is a scholar whose work I’ve really appreciated, particularly his works on the Gospels and his biblical theology of money and possessions. Now he’s added a complete New Testament theology to his already substantial body of work. While… Read More ›
-
Was Jesus a Bigot? A Response to Sarah Bessey on Affirming Homosexuality
Out of the blue, my sister recently sent me an email asking for my thoughts on an article she had read. It was a popular post by author Sarah Bessey called “Penny in the Air: My Story of Becoming Affirming.”… Read More ›
-
Women in Ministry: Parting Thoughts & Recommended Reading
In last month’s posts I sought to explain why my views on women in ministry have shifted from being more restrictive and hierarchical to more inclusive. This was not a hasty change, nor was it motivated by any agenda other… Read More ›
-
Why Have Women Traditionally Been Excluded from Ministry? And Other Objections to Women in Ministry Answered (Pt. 4)
So far in this series on women in ministry we’ve talked about my journey with the subject and why I interpret 1 Timothy 2:11-15 as not forbidding female pastors. In the last post I addressed some potential objections to women… Read More ›
