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

God-pleasers not People-Pleasers: How Important is it for Students to Like their Teachers?

Not long ago, I shared a devotional with the Talbot School of Theology faculty. Here’s a summary of that devotional.[1] I have recently been thinking about Galatians 1:10: “For am I now trying to win the approval of people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please … Continue reading God-pleasers not People-Pleasers: How Important is it for Students to Like their Teachers?

Intense Verbs for People Doing Ministry: 1 Timothy 4:11-16

This morning while reading in 1 Timothy 4:11-16 (in Greek), I was drawn to a surprising cluster of intense verbs that the apostle Paul uses to describe how attentive we should be to the way we live our lives and carry on our ministries. Notice as I walk you through these powerful verbs just how … Continue reading Intense Verbs for People Doing Ministry: 1 Timothy 4:11-16

“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)

The Peace of Christ

“How are you today?” Like many of you, I hear this question many times a day. The expected response to this question when I was growing up was, “I’m fine, thank you.” Now, most of my students in California simply say, “I’m good.” (Let the record show that I have never really appreciated this bit … Continue reading The Peace of Christ

Prayer or Sleep? Which is More Important?

Last night before going to bed I asked my wife an unusual question, “Should I get up at my normal 6am time and take my regular prayer walk followed by some time reading the Bible, or should I set my alarm a half hour later, forgo my prayer walk and only spend time reading my … Continue reading Prayer or Sleep? Which is More Important?

Biblical Necessities? or Theological Explanations?

In recent years, I have been helped in my study of the Bible by employing an informal distinction between “biblical necessities” and “theological explanations.”[1] Of all the classes I teach at Talbot/Biola, this distinction has been most helpful to students taking a class I teach on the book of Romans. Since some of my students … Continue reading Biblical Necessities? or Theological Explanations?

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

What Can We Learn from the Life of Polycarp? (St. Polycarp Day)

Today is the anniversary of Polycarp’s death, roughly 1,870 years ago (exact date is disputed). What can we learn from his life and ministry? Polycarp (c. AD 69-155 or 51-155) is one of my heroes. Trudi and I lived in Polycarp’s city for two and a half years. My eldest daughter was born there. Later … Continue reading What Can We Learn from the Life of Polycarp? (St. Polycarp Day)

Luke was a Doctor, Barnabas had a Cousin: Nine Things We Wouldn’t Know without Colossians 4

Here are nine things we wouldn’t know about Paul and his missionary team if Colossians 4 wasn’t in our Bibles. I’ll list them in the order they appear in Colossians 4. Colossians and Philemon were sent by Paul at the same time (4:9) The key link between the two is Onesimus, a runaway slave who … Continue reading Luke was a Doctor, Barnabas had a Cousin: Nine Things We Wouldn’t Know without Colossians 4