The importance of Biblical Theology to the church ministry is both direct and indirect. Biblical Theology directly helps us do church ministry by enabling us to preach the Biblical theology themes of Scripture and show the unity of the Bible. Edward W. Klink III and Darian R. Lockett make this point in their discussion of the history of redemption: “the major themes and overarching structural ideas (e.g., covenant, a kingdom, and promise and fulfillment).” Our preaching on these great themes also shows our people how to study the Bible.[1] Klink and Lockett call this the “Chicago School” approach of D.A. Carson and his “whole-Bible Biblical Theology.” But the Biblical Theology of the “Dallas School” can aid the preacher’s ministry of preaching through books. The “Dallas School” approach is described by Darrell L. Bock: “Biblical theology is an attempt to study individual contributions of a given writer or a given period to the canons’ message.”[2] This is different from the “whole-Bible Biblical Theology” of D. A. Carson and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. “The Dallas School” approach is found in two Biblical theologies produced by the faculty of Dallas Theological Seminary: A Biblical Theology of the Old Testament and A Biblical Theology of the New Testament. The second volume includes “A Theology of Matthew”, “A Theology of Mark”, as well as Luke-Acts, John’s Writings, etc. This approach would greatly help preaching a series through one of these books. And, again, this kind of Biblical Theology preaching demonstrates to our people how to study a book of the Bible.
Read moreThe Role of Textual Criticism and Translation Theory in NT Exegesis
The impact of textual criticism on exegesis is demonstrated in the translation theory debate. This involves two translational philosophies: Former and Functional. The translation theory debate also spills over into the gender-inclusive language debate. A third area of concern is the selection of the best translation for the serious Bible student. This paper purposes that the solution to these debates is to find the balance of the extremes and avoid the extremes.
Read moreBook Review of Rethinking of NT Textual Criticism (David Alan Black, ed.)
In the introduction, Dr. Black gives the historical background to this book. On April 6–7, 2000, Dr. Black assembled some of the world’s leading experts in the field of New Testament studies arrived on the campus of Southeastern Seminary to read papers and to engage in dialog with their colleagues. The conference, entitled “Symposium on New Testament Studies: A Time for Reappraisal,” was designed to expose students and other interested parties to the main positions held by New Testament scholars in three debated areas of research: the Synoptic problem, the authorship of Hebrews, and New Testament textual criticism. Each author of the who presented at the symposium has a chapter in Rethinking of NT Textual Criticism.[1]
Read moreSealed by the Holy Spirit
Billy said to Jimmy, “My Dad has a list of names of men that he can wipe and your daddy’s name is first on it.” Jimmy went home and told he daddy, “Daddy, I have something to tell you. Billy’s dad has a list of names of men he can wipe and your name is first.” Jimmy’s dad went to see Billy’s dad and rolled up his sleeves. “Is it true you have a list of men you can wipe and my name is on it.” Billy’s dad responded, “That is right.” Jimmy’s dad replied, “You can’t do it and what are you going to do about it?”
Billy’s dad said, “Well, I guess I’ll just take your name off.”
Did you know, child of God, God has your name on a list, and He will never take it off? In Luke 10:40, Jesus said, “Rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” We call this the doctrine of eternal security and this blessed truth is the result of the sealing of the Holy Spirit. In John 10:28, Jesus gave a powerful promise of security:
Read moreThe Trinity's Part in Our Salvation: REDEMPTION by God the Son
Did Christ die for all people (unlimited atonement) or just believers, i.e., the elect (limited atonement)?
There Are At Least Four Different Views
1. Universalism: Believe that all people eventually will go to heaven.
Why is this view wrong? The following references refute this view (Lk.16; Rev. 20:11). Limited atonement people accuse unlimited atonement people of Universalism and quote Mt. 20:28 as proof. “For even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto but to minister and give his life a ransom for many.”
Read moreThe Trinity's Part in Our Salvation: ELECTION by God the Father
Do you understand completely this doctrine? If you do, don’t even try to explain it to the rest of us for we would never comprehend your explanation anyway. Only our infinite God would fully grasp this doctrine. Yet, the fact that believers are chosen by God in eternity past can not be denied. Not only is this doctrine difficult to understand, but for some, it is a bitter pill to swallow. Here is how Charles Spurgeon began a Sunday morning sermon at New Park Street Chapel on September 2, 1855 entitled Election:
Read moreWhat is preterism?
Preterists Kenneth Gentry defines preterism: “The term ‘preterism’ is based on the Latin preter, which means ‘past.’ Preterism refers to that understanding of certain eschatological passages which hold that they have already come to fulfillment” (He Shall Have Dominion: A Postmillennial Eschatology, page 159).
Read moreThe Influence of Augustine’s hermeneutic on contemporary evangelical theology
John Walvoord writes: “Augustine is, then, the first theologian of solid influence who adopted amillennialism.”[1] Walvoord also acknowledges the negative influence of Augustine, when he notes that Augustine “in fact, occasioned the shelving of premillennialism by most of the organized church.”[2]
Read moreThe Crucifixion of Christ, Part One
The Gospels give us the historical fact of Christ’s crucifixion. The Epistles explain the theological signification of His death. Wiersbe succinctly put it this way: “History states that ‘Christ died,’ but theology explains, ‘Christ died for our sins’ (1 Cor. 15:3).”
For example, in Philippians 2:8, Paul referred to the shame, the reproach of crucifixion when he said that Christ “humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the cross.”
Crucifixion was the torturous execution of a person by fixation to a cross. Alexander the Great introduced Crucifixion to the Mediterranean world. Although first practiced by the Persians, crucifixion was perfected by the Romans as the most degrading form of execution. No Roman citizen could be crucified, only murderers, thieves, rapists and the scum of the earth.
Read moreThe Crucifixion of Christ, Part Two
Previously, we traced the preliminaries that happened to Jesus on Good Friday before 9 a.m. First, Jesus was scourged (Matthew 27:26). Next, he was mocked (Matthew 27:27-30). Lastly came the six hours of crucifixion from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Read moreOur God is Sovereign Humbles the Proud (Daniel Five) Part 2
Walvoord writes that “the controversy over Belshazzar....has become one of the most complicated problems in the entire book.” Walvoord quotes Bible critics James A. Montgomery as saying the story of Belshazzar is “unhistorical” and also H. H. Rowley arguing that calling Belshazzar a king “must still be pronounced a grave historical error.”[1]
The problem with the critics is that Belshazzar is not mentioned by the ancient writers such as Herodotus (484 – 425 BC). Herodotus was an ancient Greek historian who became known as “The Father of History.” When the “Father of History” does not mention Belshazzar, the critics as usual jump to the conclusion that Daniel has historical errors. Daniel five fits the theme of Daniel.
Read moreOur Sovereign God Humbles The Proud (Daniel 4) (Part One)
Nebuchadnezzar learned the hard way Proverbs 16:18: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” But he also learned the hard way that “whoever humbles himself will be exalted” spoken by Jesus in Matt. 23:12.
Nebuchadnezzar was born into royalty. His father was king. He was the heir apparent. He was like the 5 or 6 year boy who arrived with his mother at the dentist’s office. This little 5 or 6 year old didn’t want to be there. He kind a strutted in, though, like he owned the place. The dentist introduced himself and could immediately tell this kid was used to calling the shots and he wasn’t very happy.
Read moreOur Sovereign God Tests Our Faith (Daniel 3)
The apostle Peter writes to suffering Jewish believers who had been driven from their homes in 1 Peter. To them he compares their suffering to being tried by fire in 1:7: “the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried or tested with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” Again, in 4:12 Peter uses the illustration of believers being tested as by fire: “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try or test you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.”
It is very possible that Peter had Daniel 3 in mind when he wrote to the persecuted and scattered Jewish believers. In Daniel 3, is the story of the persecuted and scattered Jewish believers named Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego whose faith was literally tested by fire when they were thrown into the fiery furnace.
Read moreIntroduction and Outline for Mark
The Gospel of the Suffering Servant
(Mark 10:45)
INTRODUCTION TO MARK
“The Gospel of Mark is just the book for busy people who want to use every opportunity to serve God. It presents our Lord ‘on the move,’ meeting the physical and spiritual needs of all kinds of people (Warren Wiersbe).
Matthew who wrote to Jews and presented Christ as King.
Luke who wrote to Gentiles and presented Christ as the Son on Man.
John who wrote to the whole world and presented Christ as the Son of God.
Mark who wrote to the Romans and presented Christ as the Servant (10:45)
Read moreThe Belshazzar Problems
Walvoord writes that “the controversy over Belshazzar....has become one of the most complicated problems in the entire book. Walvoord quotes Bible critics James A. Montgomery as saying the story of Belshazzar is “unhistorical” and also H. H. Rowley arguing that calling Belshazzar a king “must still be pronounced a grave historical error.”[1]
The problem with the critics is that Belshazzar is not mentioned by the ancient writers such as Herodotus ( 484 – c. 425 BC). Herodotus was an ancient Greek historian who became known as “The Father of History.” When the “Father of History” does not mention Belshazzar, the critics as usual jump to the conclusion that Daniel has historical errors.
Read moreIndividual Soul Liberty
Thomas Helwys and John Smyth fled England and travelled to Amsterdam in 1609 for religious freedom from the oppression of the Church of England and King James I. They started the first Baptist church that year. In 1610, the two separated when Smyth join the Mennonites. In 1612, Helwys wrote the first declaration of religious freedom in English called the A Short Declaration of the Mystery of Iniquity. In 1613, Helwys moved back to London and started the first Baptist church on English soil. Helwys was arrested for his beliefs of individual soul liberty and died in prison in 1616 at the age of 40.
Read moreOur Sovereign God is also Our God of Wisdom (Daniel Two)
God is not only Sovereign but He is Wise. Many human dictators have been sovereign and powerful but not wise. Adolf Hitler, Osama Bin Laden, and present day president of China, Xi Jinping.
The Guardian in London reports, "China has released new morality guidelines for its citizens on everything from how parents should teach their children, to sorting their garbage, and the appropriate etiquette for raising the national flag." This is called a totalitarian regime, where the government or in this case Xi Jinping totally controls your life, even how you raise a flag in your front yard, and even more importantly what you believe.
The Chinese governments uses modern, hyper-modern surveillance, including facial recognition technologies, to enforce these rules and crush churches and underground believers. Citizens of China are now told that it is morally right to honor Xi Jinping, to believe in him, and to have faith in him, and it is morally wrong not to. These citizens are not allowed to believe in God.
Sovereignty and Godly Wisdom do not always go together in humans but they do perfectly come together in our great God. Here is how Daniel developed the theme of the sovereignty of God:
Read moreThe Aramaic of Daniel
Both the critical scholars and the conservative scholars have the same evidence on the authorship of Daniel, yet come to opposite conclusion. The obvious difference is their attitude toward Scripture. One has a high view of inspiration and inerrancy and the other has a low view. It is like the difference between Lee Strobel and Bart Ehrman. Lee Strobel began as an atheists who examined Scripture and became a Christian. Bart Ehrman began as a professing Christian who examined Scripture and became an atheist. They both had the same evidence but it was their attitude that was the determining factor. God’s Word is trustworthy and supernatural which the book of Daniel proves.
Read moreTwo Kinds of Narrative Preaching
1. Biblical narrative preaching that is based on the narratives of Scripture (See Factual Data Sheet for Narratives)
2. Non-biblical narrative preaching that is based on stories or narratives told by the preacher
Ralph L. Lewis and Gregg Lewis, in their book Inductive Preaching: Helping People Listen give two examples of inductive or what I am calling non-biblical narrative preaching. We will examine only the first example based on the petition in what the preacher identified as the Lord’s Prayer “Deliver us?” (page 168-182). This prayer is better described as the Model Prayer. The Lord’s Prayer in is John 17.
The sermon has roughly 30 stories from contemporary experiences, history, and nature. There are twelve passing references to Biblical examples. At one point, the preacher asked 19 questions back to back and in another section, 22 questions were asked back to back. What is glaringly absent from the sermon is any interpretation. No context is provided for the Model Prayer and no explanation of the Model Prayer nor of the petition “Deliver us.”
The main divisions of the inductive sermon are questions:
I. Anybody need deliverance?
II. Anybody being delivered in our day?
III. Anybody been delivered in the past?
IV. Anybody want to be delivered now?
The last main division is supposed to be the main point to which the sermon has inductively led. The last main division is supposed to be the solution. In the last main division, no solution is offered. Two passages are referred to and read (Psalm 34:4-19 and Romans 7:34) but no explanation is given.
The Biblical Narrative sermon is based on the story or narrative told by God in His Word. The Factual Data Sheet for Narratives emphasizes the context of the narrative and also shows how to interpret the content of the Biblical narrative. Biblical narratives are inductive in nature. At the beginning of the plot there is a crisis and at the end there is a Biblical solution. Biblical narrative are thoroughly biblical in content and in solutions.
An excellent resource for how to interpret and preach Biblical narratives is Steven D. Mathewson’s The Art of Preaching Old Testament Narrative. Mathewson provides five Biblical narrative sermons at the end of his book. One of the five is by Donald Sunukjian, the author of one of our textbooks.
Important Dates in reference to Daniel
God promised to bless obedience and judges disobedience in Dt. 28:1-24; 63-67; 30:1-5 (1450 B.C.).
The rest of the OT shows that God kept His promise
931 B.C. Division of the Kingdom because of Solomon’s disobedience
722 B.C. Assyrian defeat of the Northern Kingdom because of disobedience
605 B.C. First deportation. Babylonian defeat of the Southern Kingdom because of disobedience (Daniel taken captive). Jehoiakim “did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord” ( 2 Chron. 36:5). Nebuchadnezzar’s foreign policy was deportation. This demonstrates the sovereignty of God which is the theme of Daniel as noted in 2 Chronciles 36:21.
597 B. C. Second deportation. (Ezekiel taken captive). Jehoiachin (Jehoiakim’s son) “did that which was evil” (2 Chron. 36:9)
586 B. C. Third deportation. Zedekiah (Jehoiakim’s brother) “did that which was evil” (2 Chron. 36:12)
562 B. C. Death of Nebuchadnezzar
539 B. C. Death of Belshazzar
538 B.C. Zerubbabel returns and rebuilds the temple (Ezra 1-6). Under Cyrus king of Persia whose foreign policy was repatriation. This also demonstrates the sovereignty of God as noted in 2 Chronciles 36:22-23.
535-520 B.C. Worked ceased on the temple (Ezra 4:24) as a result of the preaching of Haggai and Zechariah (Ezra 5:1 and Haggai 1:1-4)
515 B.C. Temple finished (Ezra 6:15)
458 B.C. Ezra returns and reforms the people (Ezra 7-10)
445 B.C. Nehemiah comes and leads the people rebuilds the walls around God’s city (Nehemiah 1-6)