Is there — or better — should there be common ground for Christians working toward societal improvement as ‘elect exiles’ and ‘ambassadors?’ This paper will argue in the affirmative through three sections. First, the paper will survey some distinct insights for Christians rooted in the Adamic covenant/commission while gleaning from the ‘Tao’ of C. S. … Read more
Few passages puzzle Christian interpreters and preachers more than legal texts in the Old Testament. As Allen Ross noted, “One of the most difficult problems of biblical interpretation is knowing how to interpret and apply the law in the church. No one has it all figured out because the debates continue, as they have since … Read more
In Genesis 2:15, Scripture tells us that God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. This is a vital part of understanding that we were created by God to be people who work. The Fall of humanity had not occurred yet, and still God desired … Read more
In the introduction to his magisterial commentary on John’s letters, Robert Yarbrough devotes two paragraphs to what these letters contribute to our understanding of pastoral ministry. I have not found any similar attention to examining what we see of John as a pastor in his letters in other commentaries. However, John invites us to see … Read more
Psychiatrists and psychologists have studied the causes, context, and treatments of dissociative disorders. A theological viewpoint that considers the complete human nature, both material and immaterial, can offer a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges associated with dissociative issues. Therefore, the central thesis of this paper posits that dualistic wholism serves as an appropriate theological … Read more
The story of transgenderism has won over the culture, and it is beginning to win over the church. It is no longer acceptable to believe that human persons can only be defined as a binary gender of male and female. The idea that a gender binary as male and female is good is seen as … Read more
Recently I had a book published titled Introduction to Spirituality: Cultivating a Lifestyle of Faithfulness (Baker Academic, 2023). In this contribution to Baker Academic’s Foundations for Spirit-Filled Christianity series, I promoted a Pauline, fully trinitarian, theologically real, “I-Thou,” lifestyle spirituality. This is a Spirit-empowered, Christ-honoring, God-the-Father pleasing way of being in the world that produces … Read more
Who Told You That You Were Naked? A Reply to Hans Rookmaaker on Nudity in the Arts My dissertation research focuses on the work of the late Dutch art historian, Hans Rookmaaker (1922-1977). His efforts to free art and culture from the secularizing bonds of the Enlightenment have captivated my interest since I discovered his … Read more
Based on the biblical evidence, especially from the New Testament, this paper will argue that Christ’s coming, i.e. his incarnation, earthly ministry, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, has renewed many things including singleness. Through Christ’s mission, God created a new humanity (Eph 2), to whom are given a new covenant, new command, new identity, and new … Read more
This paper shares the author’s research on the biological extent to which the Holy Spirit supports individuals acting in their Imago Dei missional calling or, more simply stated, in our missional work, the Holy Spirit cares for our bodies. The premise is that the Holy Spirit uses and revitalizes an individual’s capabilities through engagement with … Read more