What is the “locus” of meaning in a biblical text? In other words, where does meaning come from?—where should we look to find meaning? This is a foundational question for interpreting the Bible (or any text, for that matter). Three possibilities have been suggested: The author The text The reader Throughout most of history, people … Continue reading Do Bible Readers Make Meaning?
How 1776 Shaped 2023: My Favorite Book of the Year
I think I just found my favorite book of the year. At least it’s my favorite of 2023 so far. Andrew Wilson’s new book, Remaking the World: How 1776 Created the Post-Christian West, is outstanding. I spent every extra minute I had over this past weekend reading it. In truth, I had trouble putting it … Continue reading How 1776 Shaped 2023: My Favorite Book of the Year
Was the Apostle Paul a Good Speaker?
Was the Apostle Paul effective as a public speaker or not? Was Paul's facility in rhetoric strong or weak? New Testament scholars disagree on how to answer this question. Here is a possible solution that I recently proposed in my book, Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh: New Clues for an Old Problem (pp. 135-137): The … Continue reading Was the Apostle Paul a Good Speaker?
14 Problems with Humility
There are multiple problems with humility. Here are 14, in no particular order: Problem #1: Humility is difficult to write and talk about because the moment someone starts talking (or writing…) about the need for humility, that person’s own pride begins to appear—like I’m facing right now as I write. I wonder if this is … Continue reading 14 Problems with Humility
Romans 8:28: The Spirit Works All Things Together for Good
There is third way to interpret (and translate) Romans 8:28 than is found in most English translations, but most people don’t know it. Some readers of this blog will know that English translations take two different routes when they come to Romans 8:28. The two approaches to translating this famous verse center on whether “all … Continue reading Romans 8:28: The Spirit Works All Things Together for Good
Psalm 119 as an English Acrostic
What would Psalm 119 sound like as an English acrostic? In Hebrew, an acrostic is precisely what Psalm 119 is. What is an acrostic? An acrostic is a poetic arrangement of letters in which (most commonly) the first letter of each line begins with the next letter in the alphabet. In the Hebrew text of … Continue reading Psalm 119 as an English Acrostic
What Does “I Can Do All Things through Christ who Strengthens Me” Mean? (Philippians 4:13)
It is one of the best-known verses in the Bible. It appears on wall art, bumper stickers, social media profiles, and even tattoos. But we usually misinterpret it. Philippians 4:13 is not about personal empowerment. It is not a promise that you can become anything you want when you grow up if you want it … Continue reading What Does “I Can Do All Things through Christ who Strengthens Me” Mean? (Philippians 4:13)
Timothy Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation
I just finished reading Collin Hansen’s book, Timothy Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation. Keller went to be with the Lord on May 19, as many of you know. Hansen’s book about Tim Keller was released only a couple months prior to Keller’s passing. I appreciated this book and received extra benefit from it because … Continue reading Timothy Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation
One Way Christians Can Prepare for the Onslaught of Artificial Intelligence
Did you hear what happened to Erica Marsh, the rage-baiting leftist political commentator who had 130,000 followers on Twitter? The answer is nothing, since Erica Marsh probably never existed, and her Twitter account was likely faked. Prepare yourself. With the proliferation of AI (Artificial Intelligence), you’re going to hear a lot more stories about fake … Continue reading One Way Christians Can Prepare for the Onslaught of Artificial Intelligence
Should a Church Sing (American) Patriotic Songs During Its Worship Services?
I was serving as a part-time worship pastor in a church in one of New York City’s suburbs when the attacks of September 11, 2001 were launched. Soon after the attacks, a small contingent of vocal church members began to demand that we start to sing American patriotic songs during our worship services. That suggestion … Continue reading Should a Church Sing (American) Patriotic Songs During Its Worship Services?
Kindle Afresh 