Revelation 7 Revelation 7 is the Christian Exodus. I don’t mean that Revelation 7 is teaching us about the Rapture of 144,000 saints at the end of the world: I mean that the meaning of Revelation 7 for every Christian, regardless of when they live, is the Exodus. In other words, I believe it’s possible to read the book of Revelation and encounter Jesus Christ in our lives today, regardless of our eschatology. If not, then maybe we shouldn’t read... Read more
Revelation 6 Sitting here in Fort Worth, Texas in 2009 when I’m originally writing this, upstairs in my study, looking out my window and seeing the nice new houses on my block, Revelation seems almost like a work of fantasy or science fiction. If I believe it’s related to Christ’s opening the seals of the New Covenant, which violently judged Israel and destroyed the Old Covenant, the figurative language jars me. But what jars me more is I haven’t had... Read more
Revelation 5 I wish I knew more songs. Actually, I probably know a few thousand (and probably 200 or so just from the Beatles), and at home, I’m always seizing a shard from some song I know and mutating the words weirdly to fit something one of the kids has said. They say to me, “You have a song for everything!” To which I reply, in song, “To everything (turn, turn, turn) Daddy has... Read more
Revelation 4 In a sermon on Trinity Sunday given in the middle of the 19th century, the Anglican priest, poet, and professor, John Keble, said the following: “Suppose that by your own fault you were a friendless wanderer and outcast [homeless person on streets], turned out of your home, and not knowing where to lay your head: and suppose that in your wanderings you should come suddenly to a place, from which you heard strains of the sweetest and most... Read more
Revelation 3:7-22 It’s very tempting to write today about the Laodicean church. I think there’s a common perception that today’s church is the church in Laodicea and is a lukewarm church. In truth, parts of the church have always been like this. But I am persuaded of better things for us, and so today I want to learn more about the incredible blessings Jesus Christ offers us today. Today He tells us that if we overcome the difficulties and obstacles... Read more
2 Peter 3:11-18 Have you heard the news? Jesus Christ is coming again! This is one of God’s sure promises. But if it’s true (and it is), then what kind of person should you be as a result? This is St. Peter’s great question to us today. Some in Peter and Paul’s day thought that because the coming of the Lord was imminent that they should sit around and wait and do nothing. Others, because... Read more
2 Peter 3:1-10 Beloved, there are two things you need to know from this passage. First, the God that created the heavens and the earth is the one who preserves them and can also destroy them. Second, that God is not slack concerning His promises. Therefore, let us have confidence in our God because He is an almighty God and is faithful to His good promises. St. Peter’s words in 2 Peter 3:1-10 deal with the coming of the Lord. ... Read more
Stylistic Definitions of Anglicanism In my previous two blogs I dealt with the normative and structural definitions of Anglicanism: today I’ll discuss what I call “stylistic” definitions of Anglicanism. Stylistic definitions of Anglicanism center not on structures or norms but on certain characteristics of Anglicanism that might be categorized as “stylistic,” or matters of a particularly Anglican “ethos.” Stylistic definitions of Anglicanism stand in contrast to normative definitions not only because they focus less on substance and more on style... Read more
2 Peter 2:10-22 We must be careful with the way we present the gospel of Jesus Christ. I don’t just mean that we should avoid the errors of false teachers, which is obviously a critical task. I also mean that we must take great care to present the entire gospel, in its full strength, and not diluted by the culture or our desires to be relevant. The proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ, whether in evangelism or missions... Read more
2 Peter 2:1-10a There is a dark side of many of the New Testament Epistles. But it occurs in some form in just about every New Testament letter: it is the subject of false teachers. I have avoided it in my meditations so far because it hasn’t directly been a part of my experience, and it doesn’t make for the easiest of subjects to meditate on. I feel very safe in the Reformed Episcopal Church,... Read more
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