Last week I had the privilege (along with Tim Challies) of live-blogging the Ligonier Ministries National Conference, which included an outstanding message from Pastor C.J. Mahaney on I Cor. 15:17:"And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins." In recognition of Easter weekend, Chris Larson posted the video (note that Pastor Mahaney is preaching in a suit). … [Read more...] about Christ is Risen! C.J. Mahaney on I Cor 15:17
Theology
Did Christ Die For Us Or For God?
I've noticed that some of the Christian songs on the death of Christ seem to relate (supposed) human specialness to Christ's sacrificial death -- as if Christ died because we were so special. And from a human perspective, it is not hard to see why. If I were to give my life for someone, you would naturally suppose that this other person must be pretty special (at least to me). After all: "For one will scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die." - Rom. 5:7But Paul contrasts this mindset with God's. "But God shows his love for us in … [Read more...] about Did Christ Die For Us Or For God?
Graeme Goldsworthy at Southern Seminary
Graeme Goldsworthy is one of the sharpest scholars today on the topic of biblical theology. Donald Hagner defines biblical theology this way: "Biblical theology is that discipline which sets forth the message of the books of the Bible in their historical setting. Biblical theology is primarily a descriptive discipline. It is not initially concerned with the final meaning of the teachings of the Bible or their relevance for today. This is the task of systematic theology. Biblical theology has the task of expounding the theology found in the Bible in its own historical setting, and its own … [Read more...] about Graeme Goldsworthy at Southern Seminary
Did Jesus Spend Saturday in Hell?
The Apostles Creed begins: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He arose again from the dead.Many of us were raised with the notion that Jesus went to hell on Friday after dying on the cross. For a day and a half, he preached in hell before his resurrection on Sunday. The Scriptural support given for this view primarily comes from a few passages … [Read more...] about Did Jesus Spend Saturday in Hell?
Jim Hamilton – J.B. Gay Lecture at Southern Seminary
On March 13, Dr. Jim Hamilton (Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Houston Park Place Campus) delivered the 2008 J.B. Gay lecture at Southern Seminary. The title was The Typology of David’s Rise to Power: Messianic Patterns in the Book of Samuel. The audio and the manuscript are both available. Previous J.B. Gay lectures by Gordon Wenham, D.A. Carson, and Ben Witherington are also available. (HT: Brent Parker) … [Read more...] about Jim Hamilton – J.B. Gay Lecture at Southern Seminary
Penal Substitution and Union with Christ
Steve Jeffrey, Michael Ovey, and Andrew Sach write: "Union with Christ explains how the innocent could be justly punished - he is judged for others' sins, which, by virtue of their union with him, become his. Conversely, it explains also how the guilty can be justly acquitted - believers are one with the innocent Lord Jesus Christ, and so his life of perfect righteousness is rightly imputed to us. The apostle Paul captures both sides of the exchange in a single verse: 'God made him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God' (II Cor 5:21; italics … [Read more...] about Penal Substitution and Union with Christ