Hark! The Herald Angels Sing: Explained Line-by-Line

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing is one of my favorite Christmas carols. But almost three centuries have passed since it was composed, and the meaning of some of its lines may not be immediately obvious to everyone who sings this fine song. What do these words actually signify? Here is a line-by-line brief commentary on … Continue reading Hark! The Herald Angels Sing: Explained Line-by-Line

The Fathers on the Future: An Interview with Michael J. Svigel

I recently read Michael Svigel's 2024 book The Fathers on the Future: A 2nd-Century Eschatology for the 21st-Century Church (Hendrickson Publishers). This book is full of many insightful discussions—both biblical and patristic—all focused on the future. I reached out to Dr. Svigel to see if he’d be willing to do an interview on his book. I’m so happy … Continue reading The Fathers on the Future: An Interview with Michael J. Svigel

How a Band Called “Love Song” Did Apologetics

I grew up listening to a Christian rock group called Love Song. I listened to their music all the time. I even got to meet one of their founding members when I was in my youth. Love Song has sometimes been described as The Beatles of contemporary Christian music because of the oversized influence they … Continue reading How a Band Called “Love Song” Did Apologetics

A Heart Aflame for God: An Interview with Matthew Bingham

I recently read a deep and thoughtful book on Christian living entitled A Heart Aflame for God: A Reformed Approach to Spiritual Formation. I reached out to the author, Matthew Bingham, to see if he would be willing to do an interview about his book. I’m delighted that he agreed! Ken Berding (KB): First, can … Continue reading A Heart Aflame for God: An Interview with Matthew Bingham

A Thousand Years is Like a Day: A Thought Experiment

Here’s a thought experiment. Suppose that we were to take the statements in Psalm 90:4 and 2 Peter 3:8 about a thousand years being like a day literally (which are probably not literal in their literary settings). Then let’s assume that the difference is not just how God sees time, but also represents the difference … Continue reading A Thousand Years is Like a Day: A Thought Experiment

30 Old People in the Bible and Their Advice

Last year I turned sixty. I don’t know if I count as an old person yet. Granted, when I was twenty, I thought sixty was ancient, but I now realize that barring a major illness or accident, I still could have a lot of years ahead—possibly even decades. Still, turning sixty has got me paying … Continue reading 30 Old People in the Bible and Their Advice

The Earliest Non-Christian Testimony to Jesus (Josephus) Turns Out to Be Genuine

Most of you have probably heard of Josephus. An enormous amount of what we know about the history and culture of the Jewish people in and around the time of Jesus comes from Josephus. But Josephus only wrote one paragraph about Jesus. That paragraph is famous. It is so famous that the paragraph has its … Continue reading The Earliest Non-Christian Testimony to Jesus (Josephus) Turns Out to Be Genuine

“And They Are Crucifying Him” (Mark 15:24)

I opened my Greek Bible this morning (that is, the day I originally wrote this) simply to read God’s Word. I looked down at the first three words on the page: Καὶ σταυροῦσιν αὐτον (literal translation: “And they are crucifying him,” Mark 15:24). These words arrested me—and if I’m fully transparent, instantly reduced me to … Continue reading “And They Are Crucifying Him” (Mark 15:24)

Lessons from the Melbourne Revival (1902): An Interview with Rob Nyhuis

Ken Berding (KB): Thanks for being willing to be interviewed about your recent book, Global Revival: How a City’s Mission Catalysed a Worldwide Awakening. In a few sentences, what is your book about? Rob Nyhuis (RN): Global Revival describes the largely untold story of a four-week mission conducted in 1902 in Melbourne, Australia, by three … Continue reading Lessons from the Melbourne Revival (1902): An Interview with Rob Nyhuis

The Unimportance of Cool

I’m not cool. Even the title of this post is uncool. At least I could have used a strong noun in my title like insignificance, or triviality, or inconsequentiality instead of unimportance! I’m really not cool. I frequently ask my college students to let me know if I’m acting in a truly uncool manner, mostly … Continue reading The Unimportance of Cool