Author: davidsschrock

Noonday Light: Biblical Theology

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biblical theology

In the years before seminary, when God was awakening a hunger in my heart for the bible and theology, I was introduced to the subject of ‘biblical theology.’ Now that makes sense right? Biblical theology is the mashup of ‘bible’ and ‘theology.’ Only it is more specific than that.

As my doctoral supervisor, Stephen Wellum, recently defined it: Biblical theology is the “hermeneutical discipline,” that

Seeks to unpack God’s unfolding redemptive plan, doing justice to the diversity of it, while always remembering that despite the diversity it is one plan which reaches its fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Biblical theology is concerned to discover how the parts of Scripture fit in terms of the whole, according to God’s intention and purposes, not our own imaginative constructions. Biblical theology is utterly essential to rightly interpreting and ‘putting together’ the whole counsel of God and thus learning to ‘think God’s thoughts after him.’

In truth, everyone has a biblical theology. But not everyone has a good biblical theology. Since living the Christian life depends wholly on knowing God, his gospel, and how God’s word relates to our lives today, biblical theology is crucial matter of consideration for pastors and those in the pew. In other words, its not an optional class some Christians might enjoy. It is central to our Christian walk.

In that vein, for those who are interested in learning how to think God’s thoughts after him according to the way that God has revealed himself over time in the Scriptures, let me suggest a few quick resources.

What the Big Idea Story? Why Biblical Theology Should Matter to Every Bible-Believing Christian. Credo Magazine has come out with their latest edition on the subject of biblical theology. It’s an up-to-date introduction on the subject. (Credo Magazine)

Biblical Theology by Gerard Von Groningen. Covenant Seminary (St. Louis, MO) offers a whole seminary class on biblical theology taught by the insightful OT scholar Gerard Von Groningen. You have to sign up for the class, but the cost is free. (Covenant Seminary)

What is Biblical Theology? A Guide to the Bible’s Stories, Symbols, and Patterns. Jim Hamilton has come out with a short introduction to the subject that helps students consider the literary structures and symbols of the Bible. These things are essential for any good biblical theology.

What’s in the Bible? Phil Vischer, the creator of Veggies Tales, has come up with a new and improved series that teaches biblical theology to young children. You can read about it here or watch a preview below. (The Gospel Coalition)

Via Emmaus. It is my meager attempt to provide on this blog a collection of biblical, theological, and biblical-theological fodder for your edification, so that you might read the Bible better.

Soli Deo Gloria, dss

Sermon Audio: The Great Exchange: How Jesus’ Life Trades Places with Our Death (John 11)

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A-graveyard-at-dawn-002Yesterday I finished my six-part series on God’s design for marriage and sex. Instead of finishing with an explicit word about sexuality, its dangers and delights, I spent our time considering God’s power to raise the dead and the devastated.

From John 11, we considered how Christ’s resurrection of Lazarus is a sign of his authority over the grave and a promise to all of us who trust in him, that he can raise us out of any miry pit, forgive us of any sin, and restore us from any deviation from God’s design. In short, Christ is the resurrection and the life, and all who look to him for the forgiveness of sins will find eternal life that does not begin at some unknown point in the future. Eternal begins with a true knowledge of Christ (John 17:3), that in turn empowers us to live a new kind of life today.

Here’s the audio for “The Great Exchange: How Jesus’ Life Trades Places with Our Death,” an exposition of John 11:1-53.

For the rest of the sermons in this series (‘God’s Design for Marriage and Sex’), go to Sermon Audio.

Soli Deo Gloria, dss

Lord’s Day Meditation: What Do We Really Need?

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rainbowWhat is it that we really need?

In a world full of felt needs and artificially created needs, there are plenty of commercial answers. But in a fallen world where death still reigns, there are also needs that go beyond anything that Wal-Mart sells or that Dr. Phil endorses. What do we really need?

Only Scripture gives us a true answer, and I suggest a few meditation for you on our Lord’s Day.

What Humanity Really Needs, No Man Can Provide

Is it a new start? No, Noah proves that a new start only delays the inevitable—sin, curse, separation, and death.

Is it a new place? No, Abraham was given a new place and promised a new people and a new land, yet the father of the nations still erred. His offspring include the line of Ishmael and in his own generation he died.

Is it a new law? No, God gave to Israel through Moses a new law, the best that was ever fashioned. Yet, Israel as a chosen race and a holy nation, failed to live up to their calling as a royal priesthood. They rebelled against God, and eventually experienced the exile on account of their covenant disobedience.

Is it a new leader? No, in David God chose a leader after his own heart. David was God’s man and was promised an eternal throne. Yet, the unfaithfulness of his sons eventually sealed Israel’s downfall. If the people were judged because of their law-breaking; they were equally condemned because of their fallen kings.

Is it renewed wisdom or unsurpassed riches? No again. David’s greatest son Solomon possessed wisdom and wealth. Greater than any man was this son of David. Kings and queens traveled far and wide to simply enter his presence. His people rejoiced to have him as king. Yet, still his heart was led astray, proving the mutability of man’s wisdom.

What then will resolve man’s problems? What will make wrong right? Atone for sins? Heal the hurting? Comfort the lonely? Reconcile enemies? Strengthen the weak? Make all things new?

What Man Really Needs, Only God Can Supply

As the entirety of the Old Testament testifies, the answer does not come from mankind. The answer is not found in a new start, a new place, a new law, or a new leader. Having the greatest wealth or wisdom will not cut it. What is needed?

A new life.

In 1 Corinthians 15, the first Adam, the prototype of Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and Solomon, is contrasted with the last Adam, Jesus Christ, the greater savior, greater nation builder, greater mediator, greater king, and greater wise man. Paul writes and says,

The first man Adam became a living being; the last Adam (Jesus) became a life-giving spirit. (v. 45)

As the fulfillment of all the Old Testament types, Jesus has perfectly fulfilled the law, inherited the blessing of the law, won the right to sit on the throne, and rule the world with wisdom, justice, and compassion. He is the solution. He alone can make all things new. He alone has the power to raise the dead. And he alone gives devastated sinners hope that new life is possible.

Tomorrow, as we gather to worship, may God be pleased to open our hearts to see Jesus Christ, the desire of the nations, the hope of the world, the life-giving Spirit who alone can heal our wounds, forgive our sins, and straighten our paths. He alone gives life and ultimately, that is exactly what we need!

Tomorrow, our church considers the resurrecting power of God in Christ from John 11. I pray that many who are weak will be strengthened, many who are broken will be bound up, and that many who are dead will be made spiritually alive. This is what Jesus has the power to do. He did this for Lazarus two millennia ago, and he is still raising the dead to life today.

If you don’t know him, cry out to him that he might raise you up. If you do know him, thank him for his resurrecting power. And then go tell someone else about him.

Have a blessed Lord’s Day, dss

 

Prolegomena Matters: Engaging with Michael Bird’s Evangelical Theology

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prolegomenaYesterday, I posted my review of the first section in Michael Bird’s Evangelical Theology: A Biblical and Systematic Introduction. As with most theology textbooks, Bird opens with a discussion of how to do theology. In theological circles this is called the prolegomena and it portends to how the rest of the book will be developed.

As I mentioned in that review, I am encouraged by his focus on the gospel but concerned about how he is actually going to do his theology. In my review I mentioned in passing four general concerns. Today, I want to substantiate those concerns. Continue reading →

Evangelical Theology’s Prolegomena: Strong on the Gospel, but Suspect on Its Sources

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ET

Michael F. Bird. Evangelical Theology: A Biblical and Systematic Introduction. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2013. 912 pp. $49.99.

This month marks the release of Michael Bird’s new book, Evangelical Theology: A Biblical and Systematic Introduction (henceforth, ET). Professor Bird is lecturer in theology at Ridley Melbourne College of Mission and Ministry in Melbourne, Australia. He is the author of numerous books on topics ranging from the person of Christ to a commentary on Colossians—of which I gave high praise a few years ago. He also blogs at Euangellion.

Technically, Bird is a New Testament scholar. And yet, like another biblical scholar-turned-systematic theologian (Wayne Grudem), Bird is presenting the church with gospel-driven theology that stands on his careful exegesis. Yet, his book is not so much a desire to give an exegetical theology as much as he has written his book to provide an evangelical theology. You can see him speak to the need for a truly “evangelical” theology in the following video.

As a part of Zondervan’s blog tour, I’ve been commissioned to review the introductory section of ET, what is known as the prolegomena (“first words”). Fulfilling that commission, let me outline my review under three headings: (1) a summary of the section, (2) the strength of Bird’s gospel-centrality, (3) the stumbling block of his sources. Continue reading →

Our Sovereign God

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sovereign

Compatibilism is the term of choice for how God’s absolute sovereignty rules in the universe without stripping man’s responsibility to choose and make decisions that have real, live consequences. Like ‘Trinity,’ ‘inerrancy,’ and ‘homoousia,’ compatibilism is not a ‘Bible word,’ but it summarizes what the Bible teaches about God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility.

Today, I want to look at a sampling of Scriptures to help explain how the Bible talks about God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility. To begin with, it might be helpful to state exactly what compatibilism is. Here is D. A. Carson’s definition from his book on suffering: How Long, O Lord? Reflections on Suffering and Evil.

(1) God is absolutely sovereign, but his sovereignty never functions in such a way that human responsibility is curtailed, minimized, or [negated].

(2) Human beings are morally responsible creatures—[we] significantly choose, rebel, obey, believe, defy, make decisions… but this characteristic never functions so as to make God absolutely contingent.­[1]

With this definition in place, lets consider from Scripture how the Bible describes the relationship between God’s exhaustive, meticulous sovereignty and man’s freedom to choose.  Continue reading →

Noonday Light: The Persecuted Church

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“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
— Colossians 3:2 —

persecuted

Yesterday, Fox News reported the execution of 80 people in North Korea. In full view of the public, men and women in seven cities were killed for “offenses as minor as watching South Korean movies or possessing a Bible.” This story is a sobering reminder that persecution is alive and well in our world.

Yesterday, I also received news—though a few days old—that Pastor Saeed Abedini has been moved from the Evin Prison in Iran to another installation notorious for its violence and the disappearance of prisoners. Pastor Saeed, an American who had been working to plant house churches in Iran, suffers for his simple faith in Christ.

When I hear news like this my heart sinks. I realize that these are my brothers and sisters in Christ, and I grieve and I pray. But oh, how weak are my prayers?!

Perhaps like you, I need help to know how to pray in an informed manner for the persecuted church. Sometimes I need to simply be reminded as I am by these news reports. Other times, I need biblical, historical, and practical help to know how to think about and pray for those who are suffering for the sake of Christ. If you are like me, perhaps you will be helped by these resources.

International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP). November marks a time when Christians around the world are praying for the persecuted church. (IDOP.org)

9 Things You Should Know About Persecution of Christians in 2013. Joe Carter gives information about some of the most intense persecution in the world today. (The Gospel Coalition)

Voice of the Martyrs: Weekly Prayer Guide. Each week Voice of the Martyrs, a ministry begun by Romanian pastor Richard Wurmbrand, updates believers with a list of prayer needs throughout the world. (Voice of the Martyrs)

Is the Blood of the Martyrs Really the Seed of the Church? Glenn Penner turns Tertullian’s ancient axiom (“the martyrs blood is the seed of the church”) around. He suggests that true church growth always prompts persecution, and that the reason why we in the West have been free from persecution has been our compromising stance towards society. It’s worth considering. (Voice of the Martyrs)

Tortured for Christ by Richard Wurmbrand. This powerful book is Richard Wurmbrands biographical account of his blood-stained faith in Romania. If you are looking for something to read about persecution, start here. (Voice of the Martyrs)

Take time right now to pray for Christians suffering in North Korea, for Pastor Saeed, and for God to keep the persecuted church on our hearts, so that their suffering would fill up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions (Col 1:24).

Soli Deo Gloria, dss

Gospel Logic and Revelational Beauty: John Stott on Romans 1:16-20

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Rom 1On Sunday I preached from Romans 1:16-32. Earlier this summer I preached from Romans 1:16-17. Last year, I preached from Romans 1:1-7. In each instance, I found great help from John Stott.

For those unfamiliar with Stott’s work, he was an evangelical Anglican who during the latter half of the twentieth century preached the gospel, championed missions, and published numerous books, especially commentaries on the New Testament. His commentaries are always brimming with insight and full of crisp clear exposition. Thus, I share a few of his remarks on Romans 1:16-20. They helped me unpack Paul’s opening argument about the gospel, and I trust they will help you as well. Continue reading →

A Theological Introduction to Ecclesiastes (pt. 3): Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Christ

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[This is the final post on a theological introduction to the book of Ecclesiastes. See parts one and two].Ecclesiastes 3

Themes

Finally, there are a number of themes to consider in the book of Ecclesiastes. The ESV Study Bible lists six. These include:

  1. The Tragic Reality of the Fall.
  2. The ‘Vanity’ of Life.
  3. Sin and Death.
  4. The Joy and Frustration of Work.
  5. The Grateful Enjoyment of God’s Good Gifts.
  6. The Fear of God.

These six themes rightly observe the contents of the book. Yet, they do so in a thematic way that doesn’t sync with the biblical framework of creation, fall, and redemption. Therefore, let me suggest a four-fold scheme that augments these themes and helps us see the rudimentary features of the gospel in Ecclesiastes. Continue reading →

Sermon Audio: Deviation from God’s Design (Romans 1:16-32)

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Because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.

— Romans 1:25-27 —

After four weeks of considering God’s design for marriage, sex, and gender, I turned to the subject of homosexuality today—a subject that has and is dividing our nation, and one that Scripture addresses with candor and the message of grace.

In today’s message, I argue from Romans 1 that the great problem is not homosexuality but humanity. All who are born ‘in Adam’ are sexual sinners. Idolatry is the chief sin and as a result of this inward deviation, all men and women experience various kinds and degrees of illicit sexual desires.

I fear some Christians have been to quick to dismiss people who experience same sex attraction. Too much of the message has been, “Just change.” To support our cause, many Christians have cherry picked verses to contest homosexuals instead of sharing the full doctrine of humanity and sin, which tells us that all of us have us have sinned, and none of us have natural (read: true and righteous) sexual desires according to the flesh.

As Paul argues in Romans 1, humanity has exchanged the glory of God for the glory created things, therefore God has given the human race over to the lusts of their flesh. As Romans 3:23 concludes, “all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory.” This is the great problem. Man has suppressed the truth in unrighteousness, because their natural state is not good or righteous. Sexual deviation is the ‘natural’ result of a fallen human condition. Homosexuality—like pornography, fornication, adultery, and divorce—is but one outward expression of this deeper deviation.

I am still grappling with how to state these things, but I pray this message will help you avoid some traps and give you light to better understand what God has said about humanity’s fallen condition. As I state at the front, the message is directed at Christians, but it is also applicable to those non-Christians who are willing to hear how all of us have sinned and how God has provided salvation in Jesus Christ.

Deviation from God’s Design (Romans 1:16-32)

For the rest of the sermons in this series (‘God’s Design for Marriage and Sex’), go to Sermon Audio.

Soli Deo Gloria, dss