Genesis serves as a foundation for the doctrine of redemption. From the beginning, God shows himself to be relatable, purposeful, and active. He truly cares about His creation and desires to be present, rather than watching events from a distance. To come to an understanding of our own history of salvation, we must place God first, just as Genesis demonstr… Read more…
Leviticus and Numbers continue to tell the story of Israel’s failures and God’s relentless love in spite of them. Though these books deal with genuinely hard issues and seem to paint a harsh picture of God, they also emphasize the absolute holiness of God compared to sinful humanity. God wanted His people to be set apart from the rest of humanity in the … Read more…
The book of Psalms one of the best examples of theology from below, or human words directed to God. This human origin, however, should not deny the Psalms their place in biblical canon for a reason. The words of the psalms give us a vehicle for our emotions, whether we are faced with joy or pain. In the midst of our humanity we are met with words that open o… Read more…
We all come across moments in our lives where we are forced to let go of any semblance of control and place our trust in God. The book of Daniel traces the lives of four dedicated followers of God who continually choose to follow Him despite the culture they’re surrounded by. Their perseverance eventually results in great blessing, both for them and everyo… Read more…
Ezekiel is one of the stranger books of the Bible. This book contains content ranging from a litany of prophetic judgments to a vision of a valley floor of old bones being raised to life by God. It can be difficult to look at this variety and see how the book can be relevant. But Ezekiel also emphasizes personal responsibility in one’s walk with God. God … Read more…
These books are set after the Jews’ return from the Babylonian exile. Once again, the people of Israel have gone their own way and have neglected God’s will. These prophetic works explore the tensions that surround YHWH’s second temple and the trials that Israel faced in returning to God in order to be a blessing for the whole world.
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While these books are largely characterized by God’s judgment on a sinful, rebellious people, they are by no means without hope of redemption. Though Israel will encounter God’s judgment time and again through history, God promises to pour out His Spirit on all nations. The coming of the Messiah is strongly foreshadowed, offering readers hope for redempt… Read more…
Despite the brevity of Jonah, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah, these books contain forceful messages. Whether we’re in need of comfort when our lives are spinning out of control, stronger faith in the face of adversity, or clarity when it comes to understanding our relationship with God, these Minor Prophets speak to our fundamental human needs with a surpr… Read more…
Like the other prophets, Isaiah’s writings are full of judgment, hope, and encouragement. Israel is a nation that knows God’s truth but, rather than living it, is hardened to it. Though God’s interactions with His people seem beyond understanding, or even altogether missing, His identity as redeemer is emphasized above all else. Isaiah is sharply aware… Read more…
Despite the obvious differences between our modern culture and that of ancient Israel, there are some central, essentially human characteristics about us that have not changed. We have made advances in almost every imaginable field, but we still struggle with the brokenness that sin brings into our lives. We must rely as heavily as ever upon God’s promise… Read more…
It books is impossible to arrive at a correct understanding of Jeremiah and Lamentations without an awareness of the historical context and political climate of Judah in the times these books were written. They reveal the close tie between a people’s spiritual and political conditions. Following God ends in blessing, while forsaking Him leads to disaster, … Read more…
Paul wrote his letter to the church in Philippi during his imprisonment under Rome’s authority. He encourages its members not to worry and provides an inspiring example of finding joy in suffering for the sake of Christ. He exhorts them to make evangelization their first priority, and be unified in Christ. Frank Thielman (Ph.D., Duke University) uses this … Read more…
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