This article explores how Jesus read the Old Testament and what we can learn from that for how we interpret the Bible by looking at 5 examples from the Gospels.
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The Worst Sin.
I was sitting in class when my professor asked “What is the worst sin?” Having grown up in church my mind immediately wandered to several sexual sins, murder, and being a lukewarm Christian. But all of them didn’t seem to be bad enough for being the worst sin. Then it flashed into my mind “The worst sin is whatever opposes the greatest command.”
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Phinheas and Hermeneutics
Phinheas was a hero in the Old Testament. There are only two figures in Israel’s Scriptures about whom it is said that something was “reckoned to him as righteousness”: Abraham and Phinehas. What made Phinheas a hero? He saved the Israelites from God’s wrath. How? In his zeal for God, he killed an Israelite man who had taken a Midianite woman, with his spear (Num 25:8). This act of killing stopped an epidemic that God had brought on the Israelites for their disobedience. Why is this story important? What does it have to do with Paul and with us?
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How Thai history helped me understand the Gospel better
The famous New Testament scholar N.T. Wright doesn’t get tired of proclaiming that the Gospel is that Jesus is king. The gospels tell the story of how Jesus became king. But what does that mean? Why is the world still filled with evil if Jesus is truly king already? King Naresuan the Great (1555 – 1605) was one of the greatest monarchs of Thailand. His fascinating story helped me understand better what it means that Jesus is king.
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Understanding the Book of Revelation
What comes to mind when “The Book of Revelation” is mentioned? Here are some words and phrases that are often heard in association with it: the end . . . the rapture . . . 7 . . . four horsemen . . . the antichrist . . . 666 . . . judgment . . . vengeance . . . the second coming . . . heaven. Interestingly, two of the words in this list most associated with Revelation—rapture and antichrist—do not even appear in Revelation. Some of the most important words in Revelation, such as witness, throne, and lamb, do not come to mind as quickly, yet they are central to Revelation. This article will give a quick overview over the 4 ways that the book of Revelation has been understood throughout the centuries and will give some helpful principles for understanding this last book of the Bible.
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Is my son more merciful than God?
As a father of 4 children, I have learned countless valuable spiritual lessons from being a father and having children. When my youngest daughter bit her brother, I was amazed at how he reacted. It made me wonder about the picture so many Christians have about God and how they understand his mercy, love, and justice. And it led me to many questions: is my son more merciful than God? Can God simply forgive? What is God’s justice like?
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Enemy Love for Dummies
At the center of the teachings of Jesus is love—cross-like, non-violent, non-judgmental, enemy-embracing, all-inclusive, self-sacrificial, scandalously beautiful love. Jesus modeled this love to us through his life and especially by loving and forgiving his enemies, and he called us to follow his example (Mt 5:44). But enemy love is not easy, no easy solutions exist. This article suggests some practical steps that will help you on your journey to love even your worst enemy.
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What does it mean that all scripture is inspired by God? Is the Bible really perfect?
“All scripture is inspired by God” (2 Ti 3:16). This verse has led to countless arguments and has been interpreted in numerous ways. It is often used as a key verse to define the character of the Bible. But what does it mean that all scripture is inspired by God? What does it mean for our understanding of the nature of the Bible?
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