It can be crushingly painful to endure personal injustice, especially from people who make Christian claims. I passed through one of these seasons some years ago and found myself—mostly during long walks—bouncing between two Scripture-based prayers. I would pray that those who plotted evil would have it turned back on them. But then I would […]

I was reading 1 Maccabees the other day and was struck again by Mattathias’ call to arms in 2:40-42. After the report of a slaughter of fellow Jews who had refused to fight, Mattathias and his friends are despondent. And each said to his neighbor: “If we all do as our brethren have done and […]

Just because we don’t see arresting manifestations of demonic activity in the West doesn’t mean that we don’t daily encounter spiritual powers of evil.  Being culturally conditioned to look for the spectacular blinds us to Scripture’s portrayal of how anger, resentment, and jealousy make us vulnerable to demonic influence and spiritual evil. Consider Genesis 4:1-8: […]

I’m preparing for a discussion of apocalyptic in Galatians this week and came across this from Bruce Longenecker’s book, The Triumph of Abraham’s God.  So well put: [T]he driving force behind Paul’s theological presentations is the invasion of God into the world in order to subjugate forces that run contrary to God’s will and to […]

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with […]

Whenever I talk about the powers and authorities in Paul’s letters, a lively discussion typically ensues involving all aspects of the heavenly realm and its mysteries.  We’re fascinated by angelic and demonic activity and the interface between physical and spiritual realities. After introducing Ephesians last night, I enjoyed a few animated conversations about these very […]

My former colleague Scott Calhoun sent out a call for papers for the next U2 conference, which takes place next April at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. I’m especially interested in the intersection of pop culture and biblical studies/theology, and for a number of reasons, U2’s discography is an especially fruitful […]

A few weeks ago I wondered about the images we have of Paul the Apostle.  We can’t help but construct him in our imaginations and we do so in terms of modern jobs, careers, and ministry roles.  These images shape how we read his letters and regard his central concerns. I’ve heard evangelists talk about […]

The Thursday Evening Bible Class is a longstanding tradition at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary.  Each fall semester a faculty member offers a class to which the public is welcome. This semester I’m teaching Ephesians and we begin this Thursday.  If you’re in the area, you’re very welcome to attend!  There’s no cost and the class […]

In his book The God of Israel and Christian Theology, Kendall Soulen argues that God’s ways with Israel must shape how we think theologically.  God called Israel to be a distinct people with an alternative national way of life, and they were to be the agents of God’s blessing for all the nations of the […]