Still wrestling with Romans (and always will be!), how’s this sound for a description of the purpose of Romans: In my estimation, the reason for Romans are multiple and complex. Paul writes to the Roman churches, primarily to the Gentiles, but knowing full well that Jewish Christians in the city will hear about the letter, perhaps even from his delegate Phoebe (Rom 16:1-2). Paul wants the financial support of the Roman Gentiles for his planned journey to Spain and as... Read more
I thought the only people who disliked Mark Driscoll were feminists, John Macarthur, and teetotalers. Well, I’m happy to report that Westboro Baptist Church hates Mark Driscoll and Mars Hill. In anticipation of their visit to Mars Hill, Driscoll and his crew prepared flyers welcoming Westoboro Baptist Church to their church. Oh, and they were offered free donuts too. Priceless! You can read more here and here. On his blog, Driscoll wrote that the WBC are: “More of a dysfunctional... Read more
Stephen Kuhrt Tom Wright for Everyone: Putting the Theology of N.T. Wright into Practice in the Local Church London: SPCK, 2011. Available at Amazon.com In this volume Stephen Kuhrt (Vicar of Christ Church in New Malden, Surrey UK) offers an engagement with the work of N.T. Wright (henceforth NTW). Specifically, Kuhrt looks at how NTW addresses some weaknesses in contemporary evangelicalism and how NTW’s project might be applied to the local church. Wright writes the foreword giving a short summary... Read more
I can’t help but compare Love Wins with Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Discipleship since I’m presently reading both. It is quite an interesting comparison. When compared, however, it’s hard to avoid a devastating conclusion. For me, it’s impossible to draw any other conclusion than that what Rob Bell offers in Love Wins is cheap grace. (more…) Read more
The latest issue of Horizons in Biblical Theology is dedicated to the topic of universalism. The issue include this article: The Trouble with the Inclusive Jesus pp. 9-23 Author: Bockmuehl, Markus Bockmuehl raises a good point, social inclusiveness is the only absolute modern value, and biblical interpreters are quick to try to make Jesus the all-inclusive hero who championed his message of inclusiveness against all forms of exclusivism. The problem is, as Bockmuehl rightly puts it: However one parses the... Read more
Funny stuff! Happy “American” Father’s Day. Read more
To the dads, Happy Father’s Day from Zion and Mary Willitts! HT: Laurie Empen. Read more
In our last post on Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived, we addressed chapter 6 titled “There are Rocks Everywhere”. In that chapter Rob argues that the idea of “mystery” that Paul speaks about is the idea that God is working in the world through Christ to bring everyone into unity. And because of this, he affirms that Christianity is an expression of that mysterious work of God in creation.... Read more
Every now and then I get questions from students or pastors who are thinking about doing a doctorate in biblical studies. I talk them through the various issues and struggles that are faced in the course of doing a doctorate. However, I’m glad to say that there is now a book that addresses this very topic by my pal Nijay Gupta, Nijay Gupta. It is titled A Guide book for Getting a PhD in Biblical Studies Beyond (Eugene, OR: Wipf and... Read more
Over at the e-journal Arise, I have a short piece on “Fretting Over Phoebe” (bottom of page) based on my teaching experience of walking and talking students through Romans 16:1-2. “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including... Read more
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