Introduction Authority has been a discussion in church history throughout the years. Early churches were often regional with the bishop of the region having a vast amount of power. Later the church became more centralized until the clergy oversaw and had authority over every aspect of the spiritual and sometimes Read more…
Historical Background and Introductory Issues The primary historical concerns for exegesis are authorship, date, audience and purpose. An understanding of these four areas is beneficial for a sound exegesis because it allows the exegete to keep the text in its intended context. Authorship The author of the letter is Read more…
Understanding of the Work of Christ The relevance of his nature as fully God and fully man The Hypostatic Union is the knowledge that Jesus exist as two natures. Some, like Athanasius, thought that “the Nicene [creed] is sufficient, as against the Arian heresy, so against the rest.”[1] Yet, over Read more…
Introduction John is often referred to as the evangelist. This is because, in the literature attributed to him, he states quite directly that his purpose in writing was “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ.”[1] John writes with Greek words, however, those words are crafted in a Read more…
Model for Christian Discipleship Three times in Mark Jesus prepares his disciples for his upcoming victory against the enemy and in each case, they seem reluctant to see what he “taught”[1] them. In Mark 8:31 Jesus uses the word δεῖ (translated must in the ESV) in relation to his mission Read more…
Introduction Matthew is the Jewish gospel writer. Throughout his gospel, Matthew is concerned with showing Jesus as the Jewish Messiah. To convince his audience of the validity of the claim that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah, Matthew pays close attention to the teaching of Jesus and juxtaposes them with the Read more…
Pietism cannot really be understood without taking into account the impact of the writings of the Puritans. In the center of both the Puritan and pietist movements is an emphasis on holiness and a personal rebirth. These ideas of personal application are not a denial of the Reformation. Calvin talking Read more…
Social Engagement Between Evangelicalism and Liberalism The difference between Evangelical and Liberal social engagement is best summed up by looking at intent or authority. Both groups intend to make an impact in the world. The Evangelicals wanted to call people to join the orthodox Christian position without compromising that position. Read more…
Translation and Summary Translation Verse 1: Blessed is the man, not walks in the counsel of the wicked, in sinners way not stands, and in seat of scoffers not sits; Verse 2: rather[1], in the instruction of the LORD he delights and in that instruction he meditates day and night. Read more…
Evangelism and Discipleship Introduction Dietrich Bonhoeffer in his book The Cost of Discipleship forces his reader to face the fact that the only reason and method for living is living for “Christ alone above all else.”[1] This is the recurring theme of evangelism and discipleship; Christ, God, is all in Read more…