A word to my fellow-teachers: It's time to correct essays and exams. It tops the "Favorite Things to Do" list for very few people. I tell my students, "Don't slide your paper in the bottom of the pile, because I'll probably have an attitude by the time I work my way down to it." I'm... Continue Reading →
The Forgotten Sign of the End Times: icy relations among God’s people
The signs of the End Times, you say? Sure, I can list a few! Earthquakes, wars, famines, pestilence! Persecution, false Messiahs, false prophets! Indeed, and they are right there in the Olivet Discourse (Matt 24-25).[1] What’s more, beyond the actual teaching of the New Testament, there exists an entire industry of people working double shifts,... Continue Reading →
2 Thessalonians, Shogren translation for ZECNT
Here is my own translation of 2 Thessalonians from the original Greek, which I produced over a long period of time as part of my Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on 1-2 Thessalonians. The book may be purchased from Amazon and Logos. It is also available in Spanish from Andamio, Amazon, and eventually from Logos. Zondervan had... Continue Reading →
1 Thessalonians, my own translation for Zondervan
I invite you to read my own “expanded” translation of 1 Thessalonians from the original Greek, part of my Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on 1-2 Thessalonians. It may be purchased from Zondervan, Amazon and Logos. They all also offer the Spanish edition. While the commentary is based on the Greek text, we also place a great... Continue Reading →
Frenemies of Christ
Have you met the guy who says: Yes, I’m a follower of Jesus, but I’m not a “churcher.” I have fellowship with my Christian friends, we pray together, we talk over coffee, we discuss the Bible, we have a commitment to hold each other accountable. These guys are my “church.” And they are more serious... Continue Reading →
What Would a Mother Do? [Studies in Thessalonians]
(please feel free to use this for a sermon on Mother’s Day, adding in stories of mothers you know) Let’s take a stroll past the Mother’s Day card rack: For Mother For Mother, Sentimental For Mother, Loving For Mother, Humorous (that category is potentially hazardous) For Mother, Respectful (these seem to be very carefully worded)... Continue Reading →
Studies in Thessalonians series
These posts are based on my commentary on 1-2 Thessalonians, available from Zondervan Publishing. 1 Corinthians and Thessalonians: My New Commentaries now available! The review of my commentary in the international Review of Biblical Literature: http://www.bookreviews.org/pdf/8733_9615.pdf What books have I used to write a commentary on 1-2 Thessalonians? [Studies in 1 Thessalonians] What Would a Mother... Continue Reading →
Persecution is NOT good for what ails the church (Part Two)
Spiritual growth comes through Spirit-power and direction, applied from the inside out as God rewrites our heart, soul and mind to conform to his righteousness. Revivals of history have come as the result of prayer and the Spirit’s power; most are absent of any persecution as a proximate cause: the Reformation, Great Awakening, the Wesleyan... Continue Reading →
False teaching – a corrosive, toxic, contaminant
This is how false teaching arrives: A man with a white lab coat and rubber mallet in his pocket protector arrives in order to “heal you.” And just think, you didn’t even know you were sick! Still, after hmms and haws, he pull a bottle of medicine from a pocket, holds your nose and chucks... Continue Reading →
1 Corinthians commentary, available from Logos!
Announcement! The English version of my 1 Corinthians commentary is now available from Logos.com; it is fully integrated with the Logos system. Only $19.95. Or you can download a pdf version for free from this blog! (https://openoureyeslord.com/2012/05/21/free-commentary-on-1-corinthians-2/) What does agape mean? What are the spiritual gifts? Should women wear veils to church? Or remain absolutely... Continue Reading →