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The book of Revelation has traditionally been interpreted as a theological critique of Roman imperial cult, particularly through its symbolic opposition to emperor worship. Many theological readings tend to portray the imperial cult as a centralized, top-down ideology imposed by the central government of the Roman Empire, often overlooking its complex historical origins and localized … Read more
John presentes a complex and multi-faceted pneumatology in which God’s Spirit is understood through two primary lenses: living water and Paraclete. Accordingly, this paper will analyze such language and themes through a literary-historical lens. Jewish tradition and theology, especially the OT prophets, provide the historical and theological backdrop for John’s pneumatology and eschatology. Further, the … Read more
Asylum has gained significant attention in recent biblical law studies, particularly regarding its relevance to the ongoing migrant crisis. However, interpretations of the biblical practice of asylum vary, particularly regarding the origin of the cities of refuge in Numbers 35 and Deuteronomy 19. Three main perspectives can be identified. Some scholars argue that the cities … Read more
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many churches struggled to take the Lord’s Supper together, especially when members were viewing the service via live stream video. Christian leaders debated whether a “virtual” Lord’s Supper was possible, and, if so, how it should be administered. The situation resulted in some Christians not partaking in this important ordinance for … Read more
Viewing feminism and egalitarianism as a diminishing God’s design, complementarians have written extensively seeking to describe distinctions of womanhood: notably, Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood edited by Wayne Grudem and John Piper, Let Me Be a Woman by Elisabeth Elliot, Womanly Dominion by Mark Chanski, Creative Counterpart by Linda Dillow, Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney, … Read more
In Matthew 16:13, Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” In response, the disciples tell Jesus, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets” (Matt 16:14). Why would the Jews identify Jesus with Jeremiah, the weeping prophet of the exile?(1) … Read more
Creeds define doctrines of primary importance. Many churches adopt creeds to encourage unity but still encounter divisions over secondary doctrinal issues. Despite the frequency of conflicts over secondary issues in the local church, pastoral ministry textbooks and training tend to neglect instruction on shepherding a congregation through disagreement on secondary issues. This paper will demonstrate … Read more
At least since the publication of Jeremias’s discussion of ἅδης and γέεννα (Jeremias, TDNT, Vol. 1), the discussion of these two words has tended to revolve around distinguishing between them at a semantic level. Do they refer to different conceptions of eschatological punishment (Chaim Milikowshi, “Which Gehenna,” NTS 34 [1988]: 238-249)? Do they refer to … Read more
Since the 1950s, German scholars began to draw attention to the prolific use of עצה/יעץ in the Book of Isaiah (e.g. Fichtner, Wildberger, von Rad). By the 1970s, the concept of Yhwh’s plan/counsel was said to constitute “a primary datum of Isaianic preaching” (Whedbee). While in this early period the impetus of research fell on … Read more
Do biblical texts carry a fuller meaning than that which was originally intended by their human authors? Most scholars who affirm the divine authorship of Scripture say yes. But what this fuller sense entails is a matter of intense debate and confusion. In this paper I will evaluate two recent evangelical proposals that seek to … Read more