In the opening chapters of Amos, the prophet (who was a shepherd), proclaims oracles against the nations. In those oracles, the charge against each nation is that they have been inhumane to their enemies and neighbors. They are charged with failing...
“I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” — John 1:31 When the disciples on the road to Emmaus sat down to eat with the risen Jesus, something happened. They had...
Everything God commands is for our good. But what about giving God our firstfruits? How is that for our good? Some argue that God never commands us to give to the church. That claim simply doesn’t hold up. The Old Testament is filled with commands...
In the Old Testament, God commanded his people to give back to him their “firstfruits.” This practice was more than an agricultural ritual—it was a spiritual discipline. By bringing the very first portion of their harvest to the Lord, the people...
A few people recently have asked me how to properly pronounce Jesus’ name. Sensing that there was something deeper behind the question, I inquired. In all instances, folks are hearing that “Jesus” is the wrong pronunciation of the...
Why is the Old Testament so important? Since the New Testament so plainly proclaims the good news of Jesus, and salvation comes through Jesus, then why not simply begin the Bible with the Gospels instead of the Old Testament? The Bible’s...
Jesus tells his disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matt. 16:2). What does this mean? Well, leaven is small. It’s hardly visible. While small and seemingly insignificant, it spreads to the entire lump. So, the...
I’ve long been a fan of N.T. Wright. I’ve read most of his work and listened to hundreds—if not thousands—of hours of his lectures. As with any scholar, I appreciate much of his work while also disagreeing with him on a number of points. But this is...
Each year, many Christians celebrate Christmas and Easter with great enthusiasm. But Pentecost? It often gets overlooked. Yet if we understand the biblical story in its fullness, we discover that Pentecost is one of the most theologically rich and...
One of the more common objections to Christianity—especially from agnostics and atheists—is the claim that people only believe what they are raised in. The argument goes like this: if you’re born in Saudi Arabia, you’ll likely be Muslim. If you grow...