This is from an older post from 2010. I’m too busy right now to write anything new 🙁 What is the basic Dispensational interpretation of Israel and the Church? Here is a quick answer: Once again I want to state that I think “Dispensationalist” is a lousy and inaccurate name for this type of theology. Firstly because dispensations are largely theologically mute. Secondly, because the real crux of the matter are the Biblical Covenants! I hope this response will be …
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I have been asked by a lot of people when the second part of my Biblical Theology, The Words of the Covenant will be out. Thank you to everyone who has enquired. Here is an update. The Words of the Covenant: New Testament Continuation is nearing completion, although there is still a lot of writing and editorial work to do. Presently it is 450 pages long, but more must be added to the Introduction and Appendices. Lord willing I will …
Review of Adam Lloyd Johnson, Divine Love Theory: How the Trinity is the Source and Foundation of Morality, Grand Rapids, Kregel, 2023, 256 pages, pbk. This book is something of a hybrid; a mix between a philosophy of religion text, an ethics text, a written debate, and a theology book. It’s author is a professor of Rhineland School of Theology in Germany, and also teaches at Midwestern Baptist Seminary. Divine Love Theory makes an important contribution to Christian ethics in …
I have written a lot recently on the warning passages in the Book of Hebrews. I took the time to explain that Hebrews is a carefully constructed and precise piece of literature. The author does not write like the Apostle Paul, who is apt to digress from his main themes (such is the occasional nature of his correspondence). The writer of Hebrews is very premeditated, and this fact must be taken into consideration when reading the letter. Not only that, …
Part Five No Continuing City: The Eschatology of Hebrews The opening verses of the book of Hebrews include the line ἐπ᾽ ἐσχάτων τῶν ἡμερῶν τούτων which literally translated is “at the end of these days” (Heb. 1:2). The phrase is translated by Lane and by Attridge as “in these final days.”[1] Lane has a note claiming it is “a common Septuagintal idiom.”[2] The phrase likely refers to the times after the ascension of Christ to the second advent.[3] I …
Part Four The New High Priest Jesus then is the High Priest who replaces the Aaronic-Levitical High Priest. This high-profile replacement of a cultic officiant was absolutely necessary, otherwise Christ’s mediatorial work could not have gone forward. It would not be in the character of God nor patterned after the divine economy with men for Christ to bullishly take up the Davidic throne in Jerusalem and by simple irresistible fiat make Himself the High Priest. But also, as Hebrews …
Part Three God’s Oath is an Anchor for the Soul In the middle of Hebrews 6 there is an important section where God’s covenant with Abraham is brought to the fore and the concept of covenant, and in particular the covenant oath, is brought out. For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself… For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an …
Part Two The Next Warnings This is where the author begins to introduce the High Priesthood of Christ. Since this takes us into closer proximity to the New covenant, I shall look at it separately. Our concern just now is the theme of “the world to come” (Heb. 2:5). This phrase pops up again in the middle of the famous warning in Hebrews 6 (i.e., Heb. 6:5), although the noun is different. Hebrews 5:12 – 6:8 is the next …
Part One “The World to Come” It is crucial to read Hebrews 2:5 very carefully. In it the writer states, “For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels.” The angels right now minister to the heirs of salvation” (Heb. 1:14 cf. 1:7). In “the world to come” (Heb. 2:5); of which the Son is the heir (Heb. 1:2), in seems as though the Son will be much more prominent, the coming …
This alternative reading of the Book of Hebrews comes about largely through a determined attempt (easier said than done) to read the work independently of the voice of Paul. Just as say Romans or Ephesians requires us to read it for what it is without drawing in assumptions from the Gospels, so Hebrews demands that we temporarily set the great apostle to one side as we take it up. Hebrews deserves to be read apart from Paul just as much …
