Note: In November 2012 I published a commentary of 1-2 Thessalonians for Zondervan (click HERE). The advice given below is applicable to all preaching and writing projects. I used to do business at a local office building. On the wall was an engraved map of the New World from the 1600s. It was a real... Continue Reading →
How to Teach your Church to Pray: Don’t tell them, show them!
The Twelve learned to pray by asking, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples” (Luke 11:1 NIV). For that they received the Lord’s Prayer, which functions as Jesus intended, whether used as a model or prayed verbatim. In general the North American church fails to teach its people to pray. For... Continue Reading →
The “Day of the Lord” in Paul’s Letters: what does it say about Jesus? [Studies in Thessalonians]
In 1 Thess 5:2 Paul speaks of the Day of the Lord, concerning which no-one knows the time. Later in 2 Thess 2:2 he speaks of the Day of the Lord and then says that it cannot be at hand since the great Apostasy and the Man of Lawlessness have not yet appeared. Let us... Continue Reading →
The Critical Text and the Textus Receptus in 2 Thessalonians [Studies in Thessalonians]
Most Christian scholars use what is called the Critical Edition of the Greek New Testament, and almost all modern versions are based upon it. There are several camps that prefer other editions, the Textus receptus or the Majority Text. Some do so because of a belief that it better represents the original; I think they... Continue Reading →
Preach about hell…but think it through first!
By Gary Shogren, Seminario ESEPA, San José, Costa Rica I have no sympathy with those who eliminate the hard teachings of the Bible. A Christian has made a prior commitment to follow Jesus and to speak and act as Jesus would. I have little sympathy with those who affirm right and left that they stand true... Continue Reading →
God’s Will and Paul’s Missionary Plans, or, How did Paul know where he was supposed to go?
Let us say then that a Christian believes that God is calling him or her to the mission field. One of the most pressing questions, always, is: I know I’m going...but where do I go? How can I be sure when the whole needy world lies before me? The church does not have the privilege... Continue Reading →