I’m not reading through the Bible in 2016. If you didn’t do it last year, or reading the Bible counts as work time for you, go ahead and do it. There are tons of plans out there to choose from. But as for me, reading through the Bible is something I only do every other year. Why? It’s not that I have anything against it. Reading the Bible is a good thing. However, the pace of a thru-the-Bible-in-a-year plan doesn’t leave me with enough time for giving a passage the amount of attention I prefer for in-depth study. That’s why, every other year, I get to spend a couple weeks at a time working … [Read more...] about I’m NOT reading through the Bible in 2016
Picking up Greek again in 2016
I just spent four consecutive semesters studying Hebrew. After such a long break from Greek, I’ve decided to spend this year working on both languages. I’m becoming very appreciative of my Reader’s Greek New Testament and my Reader’s Hebrew Bible, both of which have renderings of uncommon words at the bottom of the page. This saves me from having to open up a lexicon every few seconds. I don’t do New Year’s resolutions, but if I did, Greek and Hebrew would be on my list for 2016. Perhaps it’s time for you to dust off an old grammar or pick up a new one for the first time. I have a shortlist … [Read more...] about Picking up Greek again in 2016
A Baptist’s Bookshelf: Lottie Moon
Lottie Moon is the most famous Southern Baptist missionary of all time. Shortly after her death, an annual Christmas offering bearing her name was established to help fund mission work around the world. Despite her fame, very little substantive material is available about her life. Christian Focus Publications just released a title that helps fill that void: Lottie Moon: Changing China for Christ by Nancy Drummond. I had heard some about Lottie Moon, but even a short children’s book filled me in on so much more. She was a trickster in her youth who mocked religion only to succumb to God’s … [Read more...] about A Baptist’s Bookshelf: Lottie Moon
A Baptist’s Bookshelf: Song of Solomon
A Baptist minister’s bookshelf is sacred. It bears the weight of centuries of thought from people of all different backgrounds and faith traditions. A Baptist minister often relies on the recommendations of others when deciding what books to add to his library. That’s why I do periodic book reviews of new titles I’ve added to my library. My reviews are written from the standpoint of being a Baptist in the SBC. Focus on the Bible I am a big fan of the Focus on the Bible commentary series. They’re relatively short—the ones I’ve read were under 200 pages. This makes them accessible to … [Read more...] about A Baptist’s Bookshelf: Song of Solomon
C.S. Lewis on Same-Sex Marriage
C.S. Lewis was not a Baptist, but he is held in high regard throughout Christendom for his books and writings. I remembered this quote from Mere Christianity when I was thinking through the Supreme Court’s ruling on Friday. I doubt Lewis would have been scandalized by the ruling. I wonder if he might even have been opposed to Christian opposition to same-sex marriage: “Before leaving the question of divorce, I should like to distinguish two things which are very often confused. The Christian conception of marriage is one: the other is the quite different question—how far Christians, if they … [Read more...] about C.S. Lewis on Same-Sex Marriage
Gay marriage may not be all bad news
In light of the Supreme Court’s ruling establishing gay marriage as a Constitutional right, many of us evangelicals are experiencing a wash of emotions. My initial response was one of fear. Fear that this will someday result in me being fired from my secular job like that fire chief in Atlanta. By my calculations I still have nearly 40 years to go before I can retire, and the possibility that someday it will be determined that people who think like me shouldn’t work with the public is scary. This fear, warranted or not, is sinful and betrays a lack of confidence in God and in the people of … [Read more...] about Gay marriage may not be all bad news
A Baptist’s Bookshelf: Thomas Schreiner’s Hebrews Commentary
A Baptist minister’s bookshelf is sacred. It bears the weight of centuries of thought from people of all different backgrounds and faith traditions. A Baptist minister often relies on the recommendations of others when deciding what books to add to his library. That’s why I’ve decided to do periodic book reviews of new titles I’ve added to my library from the standpoint of being a Baptist in the SBC. Broadman and Holman, the publishing house of the SBC, recently released the first volume in a planned 40-volume commentary series called Biblical Theology for Christian Proclamation. I was able … [Read more...] about A Baptist’s Bookshelf: Thomas Schreiner’s Hebrews Commentary
A Baptist’s bookshelf: A new commentary on Exodus
A Baptist minister’s bookshelf is sacred. It bears the weight of centuries of thought from people of all different backgrounds and faith traditions. A Baptist minister often relies on the recommendations of others when deciding what books to add to his library. That’s why I’ve decided to do periodic book reviews of new titles I’ve added to my library from the standpoint of being a Baptist in the SBC. My most recent scholarly addition is A Commentary on Exodus from the Kregel Exegetical Library series. This is a relatively new commentary series, but the volumes that are already out by Allen … [Read more...] about A Baptist’s bookshelf: A new commentary on Exodus
A Baptist’s Bookshelf: A review of a recent commentary on Jonah
A Baptist minister’s bookshelf is sacred. It has weathered and worn classics, passed down or purchased secondhand because of their timeless value to preachers he has known. It has old books that he purchased in his seminary days. It has new books based on authors’ or publishers’ reputations, a particular subject covered, or just plain curiosity on the preacher’s part. The oldest book (not a reprint) in my growing collection is Thoughts on Religious Experience by Archibald Alexander, printed in 1844. I have a set of Broadman and Holman commentaries from my grandfather. I’m adding new books … [Read more...] about A Baptist’s Bookshelf: A review of a recent commentary on Jonah
What online classes are really like
At the end of January I start my fifteenth class towards my M.Div at Southern Seminary. I’ve done everything from Systematic Theology, Introductions to the Old and New Testaments, Church History, Greek, and Hebrew. A few classes were considered “on campus” because, apart from the online portion, I had to travel to Louisville for a week of lectures. Pay the SBC rate, which is half tuition. I also pay a $250 internet course fee per class. I don’t have to pay the fee for on campus classes, and depending on where I sleep and what I eat, the cost isn’t must different either way. It’s just a … [Read more...] about What online classes are really like