PLEROMA

For Our Benefit (A Reformed No-No)

This phrase came up in a passage I quoted during this past Sunday's youth lesson — "for our sake". It was from 2 Cor 5:21 where Paul...

An Exegetical Analysis and Application of 1 Tim 2:8-15: Introductory Matters

This text has been a bone of contention for Christians, particularly over the last one hundred years. I was recently assigned this text...

The Cross and History: A Good Friday Reflection

If you read the Gospels you will notice something striking. They don't care too much about Jesus' boyhood years. Really, they care most...

In the Fullness of Time, God Sent Forth a Star

A verse that has never ceased to make me awe in wonder is Galatians 4:4, "In the fullness of time God sent forth his son, born of a...

Building a Bridge Between “Meaning” and “Application”

We often consider the meaning of a text and the application of a text to be distinct. Is that a biblical distinction?

Using the Pauline Letter Format to Inform How We Counsel Christians Struggling With Sin

Letter format might not seem like the most interesting thing to talk about. In fact, in many ways, the format of Paul's letters is...

From Being to Doing: An Appreciation of Herman Ridderbos' Contributions to Pauline Theology

Going to seminary has opened up a whole new world of theological scholarship for me. Now, these folks are not new to other people but...

Can That Faith Save?

Martin Luther wrestled with the book of James. He famously declared it (along with Hebrews) to be "an epistle of straw". Some have...

The Expository Preaching of Christ is the Word of God

In a previous post, I talked about how I have been personally impacted by expository preaching. Though I do have some experience in...

Community Is a Catalyst for Joy

If you stick around with me in this blog long enough, you'll read a lot of posts like this. Stuff about community. I'm sorry... but...

Why Sharing Sappy Sentimental Posts About Your Spouse Is (Probably) Okay

I recently came across a promotional video from Canon Press on Facebook which featured Rachel Jankovic sharing pithy statements of wisdom...

We Are Natural Followers (And That's a Good Thing)

It seems like people naturally look up to others. When I was a kid my superhero of choice was Spiderman. I'm not sure if it was the...

Paul's Message of Jesus in the Structure of the Gospels

In the 18th century there began a scholarly endeavor that, though it has greatly morphed over the decades, still persists today. This...

Insights on Gospel Community Ethic from the Euodia-Syntyche Dispute

What does Paul have to say about the life-together-ness of the local church?