The Surprising God

This post exegetes the first chapter of 2 Thessalonians, which is the context of the RCL Epistles reading for 10/30/22. This exegesis draws on several sources, including  John Stott's commentary. "The Master's Touch" by Greg Olsen (used with permission of artist) Introduction The Christian view of the end times (the stretch of time between Jesus' first and second advents) is related to the Christian view of all history. For some non-Christians, history is a progression of moments with no meaning or final destination. For others, it is a cycle that repeats until perfection is achieved. But for Christians, history has a great meaning and a final destination, centered on Jesus Christ.  The gospel of Jesus tells us that the eternal Son of God, who existed before time, appeared in time in a specific era and locale where he suffered, was crucified, died and was buried. Then on the third day he rose again and, having sent his Spirit, has for two further millennia been l...

This post exegetes 2 Timothy 4:1-22, providing context for the RCL Epistles reading for 10/23/22. What is provided draws on several sources — John Stott's commentary in particular. "Paul in Prison" by Gustave Doré (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction In 2 Timothy, Paul is reflecting on about 30 years of labor as an apostle and evangelist. And now with his execution imminent, Paul has come to the end of his work of proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. As he writes in chapter 4, having fought a good fight, having finished his course, and having kept the faith, Paul awaits his ultimate reward, the crown of righteousness reserved for him in heaven. In reading Paul's words in this chapter, we are profoundly stirred. May God give us a similar commitment and passion for proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ in our day! Paul begins chapter 4 with a charge to his son in the faith, Timothy:   1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the li...

This post looks at chapter 1 of the book " On Being Human, Essays in Theological Anthropology " by incarnational, Trinitarian theologian  Ray S. Anderson . Introduction On Being Human compiles essays from Ray S. Anderson written originally for students of psychology and theology at Fuller University. Anderson's goal in writing was "to distinguish between human personality as a cluster of attributes manifested in behavior and the core of the human self as personal being created in the image of God" (vii). In pursuit of that goal, Anderson made the important distinction between personality (which pertains to phenomenology ) and personhood (which pertains to ontology ). He also sought to show the vital connection between the doctrines of the Trinity ( theology ) and humanity ( anthropology ) noting (as does Karl Barth) "that theology has become anthropology since God became man" (viii).  On Being Human has three parts: 1) The Form of the Human, 2) Being H...

This post exegetes 2 Timothy 2:1-15 (the larger context of  the RCL Epistles reading for Oct. 9, 2022). This post draws on multiple sources, including commentary from John Stott. "Jesus the Good Sower" (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction (2:1-2) Living as we do in a consumer-driven, comfort-crazed culture, we need to be reminded that following Jesus and sharing in his gospel ministry will often mean forgoing personal gain and enduring hardship. Such is Paul’s message in 2 Timothy 2, where the apostle challenges his sometimes timid protégé Timothy to be willing to suffer for the cause of Christ.  Paul begins his exhortation with these words: 1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. Paul is instructing Timothy to be strong in order to fulfill his calling to transmit the gospel on to others in a ...

This post exegetes 2 Timothy 1:1-18 (the context for the RCL Epistles reading for Oct. 2, 2022), drawing on multiple sources including commentary from John Stott. St. Paul the Apostle (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Paul wrote 2 Timothy to his friend and co-worker Timothy. Locked up in a Roman prison and nearing execution, Paul's concern is to pass along to Timothy a message of encouragement and exhortation.  We are reminded by Paul's words that there is a constant danger of the gospel being corrupted within every Christian church. Therefore, we all need to heed Paul’s charge to Timothy. Moreover, we must work together to equip and release a new generation of Timothys—young leaders who will carry the sacred deposit of the gospel into the next generation. Paul’s greeting (1:1-4) 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, 2 To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ ...

This post summarizes Chapter Six of  Space, Time and Resurrection  by T. F. Torrance. The post was written by  Torrance scholar  Tom Noble   for a meeting of the  Torrance Reading Group . For addtional chapter summaries, click on the chapter number:  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 , 5 , 7 , 8 . "Ascension of Christ" by Matejko (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Was Jesus' Ascension an actual, historical event, or was it a non-material, "spiritual" experience? Torrance argues that it was an objective, material  event in space and time . But what is the nature of that event? What follows is Tom Noble's summary of Torrance's thought, with questions and comments in italics. A primary point is that the Ascension, which has the same "baffling character" as the Resurrection, must be understood in correlation with the Incarnation ( anabasis / katabasis ). How is the event of the Ascension related to space and time? Lutheran reformers asserted that the...