Studying the Word is a Matter of Perseverance

I’ve been studying and teaching through the book of Hebrews and interacting with chapter six which holds a difficult passage (Hebrews 6:4-6) for many reasons. I think the hardest part of this text on apostasy is that we all have loved ones and friends who seem to fit the category this passage describes. It’s painful to think about dear ones who grew up in church and are now running the opposite direction, and so we sometimes shrink back from texts like these.

Strangers and Aliens in 1 Peter (more thoughts)

In his first epistle, Peter is writing to a number of Christians he identifies as “strangers” (1:1) and “aliens” (2:11). There are several theories of what being a “stranger and alien” entails but, as I stated in a previous post, I hold on to the traditional rendering that being a stranger and alien means that Christians are different in a culture that is hostile to God. But, exactly how are we different?

Christ and Culture in 1 Peter

“What to do with Rome? What to do about Rome? What to make of Rome? For Peter, of course, “Rome” really was the issue.” Rome was the issue because Rome had become the new Babylon (1 Peter 5:13). Rome was the issue because Rome (and Babylon) “was a cipher for a world power hostile to God” (Green, 1 Peter, 1).

Do You Remember Your Conversion?

The personal testimony has gained considerable significance in American Christianity. So much so that some people insist that you remember the precise date and timing of your conversion. But is this biblical?

Brian’s Year in Pictures: 2007

I do not consider myself a photographer by profession or even by hobby, but I do enjoy carrying around a digital camera to capture life’s events. Here are a few of my greatest memories from 2007:

What is Missional Church?

Every church is missional, right? Wrong!! “Missional” has become the newest Christian buzzword so that every church wants to be or claims to be missional, but few really are. If you want an education on missional church, take some time to watch this video from Michael Frost (author of The Shaping of Things to Come: Innovation and Mission for the 21st Century and Exiles: Living Missionally in a Post-Christian Culture).

HT: Disruptive Grace.

Strangers and Aliens in 1 Peter

Peter calls his recipients “strangers and aliens.” But what does this mean? Does it mean, as the old hymn says, that this world is not our home and we are just passing through? I don’t think so. Rather, I’m intrigued by a new suggestion on what these terms actually mean.

What I Do At Seminary

GRTS is now making the seminary students put some of their papers on a website that is accessible to the public. They are doing this just as my time there winds down, so I don’t have much at the site, but I thought if anyone in my church is interested (or anyone else, for that matter) you can read a couple of my research papers. I don’t have grades on them yet, so you can guess what the grade will be!! Links are below the fold:

Challenging Christmas Traditions

Ever since I sat in Dr. Bob Rapa’s New Testament Survey class at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary (ca. 1999), I’ve wanted to preach a particular sermon on Christmas. It is a sermon that destroys a common Christmas tradition, but may make the Christmas story even grander.

1 Peter Series

Martin Luther called 1 Peter “one of the noblest books in the New Testament” that contained everything necessary for a Christian to know. Unfortunately, 1 Peter remains a fairly neglected book. But we hope to change that in our corner of the world! On December 30, 2007 we will commence an 11-week sermon series on 1 Peter. Additionally, our sermon series should pour over onto this blog weekly as we interact with this fantastic book.