What is Over-Realized Eschatology? What’s the Problem with it?

Over-realized eschatology is the assumption that all or most of what God has prepared for his people in the future can be experienced by God’s people in the present. Let’s break down this expression word-by-word. What is eschatology? Eschatology is the study of last things, that is, the end times. What is realized eschatology? Realized … Continue reading What is Over-Realized Eschatology? What’s the Problem with it?

Is the Christian Life Primarily Intense or Primarily Relaxed?

Should the Christian life primarily be viewed as intense (focused, passionate), or primarily as relaxed (peaceful, trusting)? Trudi and I regularly invite college students to our house for dinner, and this was the question we discussed during a recent dinner. As we conversed, students at the table brought up a variety of Scriptures, some of … Continue reading Is the Christian Life Primarily Intense or Primarily Relaxed?

One Day of Walking in the Spirit

What does it practically look like to walk in the Spirit? There is a short passage in my book, Walking in the Spirit, in which I try to imagine walking through a normal day in the Spirit. Since people often refer to this section of the book, I’ve decided to share it with you today. … Continue reading One Day of Walking in the Spirit

“Greet One Another with a Holy Kiss”? (Q&A)

Four times the Apostle Paul instructs his readers to greet each other with a holy kiss (Rom 16:16; 1 Cor 16:20; 2 Cor 13:12; 1 Thess 5:26; cf. 1 Peter 5:18). Let’s work through a few questions related to these verses’ social background and address the question of whether we should bring back the practice … Continue reading “Greet One Another with a Holy Kiss”? (Q&A)

Gossip: The Inside Scoop

Can I tell you a secret? You have to promise not to tell anyone. I know some details about Gossip that you might find interesting. I’m sure, though, that Gossip wouldn’t want you to know these things, since he’s probably afraid that if you learned about him, it might remove some of his influence. Personally, … Continue reading Gossip: The Inside Scoop

Dramatic Drop in Bible Reading: Why?

In 2011, the percentage of Americans who “used the Bible at least 3-4 times on their own, outside of a church setting” was around 50%. Again in 2012—around 50%. Then again in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. Always around 50%. But according to the American Bible Society, in 2022, that … Continue reading Dramatic Drop in Bible Reading: Why?

What is Christian Revival? Three Resources to Help You Understand Revival

A Christian revival is a moment in history when 1) the hearts of many of God’s people are awakened to greater love and commitment to Christ, 2) many who consider themselves Christians (but are not) get converted, and 3) many people who have never known Christ are drawn to faith in Christ through what God … Continue reading What is Christian Revival? Three Resources to Help You Understand Revival

Joy

“What are the joy-stealers? Why do so many of us struggle with joy?” I often ask my students this question when we open the book of Philippians. “Time pressures.” “Financial pressures.” “Unfulfilled expectations.” “Hurts from the past.” These are common responses from my students. But Paul would point us toward two other foundational reasons for … Continue reading Joy

“Based”

Last semester a young college friend challenged me (dared me?) to try to use the contemporary slang word “based” during one of my college class lectures. Honestly, it was a bit tricky, since I first had to figure out what my twenty-something-year-old students meant when they used this word. But once I got a basic … Continue reading “Based”

Seven Favorite Christian Books of 2022

I read a lot of helpful Christian books this past year, but here are my seven favorites. Surprisingly, I read the first five before the end of January! Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament, by Mark Vroegop. The author first teaches how to lament, and then moves on to explain what we … Continue reading Seven Favorite Christian Books of 2022