In Christian teaching we do not comment much on the temple. Why is that? Is it because the physical building was destroyed in AD 70? It was, but can that really be the end of the matter? Or maybe we're only looking forward to the new cosmic temple described in Revelation 21-22. Either way, there is significant application of the Bible's temple theology for our lives today. In this symposium from the fall of last year, I lay out a biblical theology of the temple toward understanding the gospel and the nature of the church better.
Read MoreThis month's blog highlights Dr. Bill Fullilove, the upcoming professor of Poets at ITS this J-Term. In his essay, Dr. Fullilove discusses how to helpfully dive into the Psalms. He shows us the power of the poetry for our hearts along with our minds, and he helps protect our reading of the Psalms from expecting what they never intended to communicate.
Read MoreEvery Christian loves the Psalms. Even those who do not particularly like poetry, or have the patience to grapple with it, still find moments in the Psalms that resonate within their soul. Our love and enjoyment of the psalms, in turn, lead to prayers seasoned with the words of the psalmist. Yet the Psalms are not merely a collection of pithy one-liners for the spiritually desperate. In this recent essay, Dr. Nicholas Piotrowski shows readers how the psalter is more than a collection of isolated poems, but one epic poem of New Creation.
Read MoreDo the old covenant laws still apply to Christians today? What is the relationship between the laws of Moses and the believer after Christ’s work on the cross? Listen to Dr. Jason DeRouchie broach the subject in this month’s blog post. …
Read MoreLast year we had a class on the Poets taught by Dieudonné Tamfu. I sat in on a few classes and learned so much in just those classes alone. Then this summer I taught a seminar overviewing the entire Bible in a handful of sessions. I was particularly thrilled to teach on the Psalms that day because I was eager to apply all I learned from Dr. Tamfu and in my subsequent study. I hope this video is as encouraging to you as it was to me in preparing it and teaching it. I try to delineate the structure of the entire book, and articulate the main idea of the book when viewed as a complete work. …
Read MoreThe recent upsurge in Biblical Theology is an encouraging trend. Reading “with the grain of the Scriptures,” as it has been said, is uncovering (indeed, in a lot of ways is recovering) treasures new and old. And particularly preaching that is built on biblical-theological methods is a gift to local churches as the intent of Scripture is brought to bear on the people of God week in and week out.
But there are some serious criticisms of the way such sermons are delivered. …
Read MoreEarlier this month we were quite privileged to hear from former pastor and seminary president, and current Colts head coach, Frank Reich on a biblical theology of competition. This was such a helpful talk! Coach Reich led us to reflect on the nature of competition as a pre-fall reality, and how the urge to compete is a constituent characteristic of the image of God. It should be used, therefore, for the glory of God and the good of others. Equally, the coach helped us mediate on the way sin—as in all things—can corrupt. In the end, it all leads us back to our redeemer, the perfect image bearer, the Lord Jesus Christ. …
Read MoreThe Old Testament is new again! The recent surge of interest in Biblical Theology is a true blessing as interpreters—and therefore pastors and their congregations—appreciate again the interconnectivity between the two testaments. The result is a better understanding of how the Bible comprises one complete drama of God’s actions in history for the salvation of his people. …
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