Zephaniah’s Context: If King Josiah was the Martin Luther of the Old Testament, then Zephaniah was his John Huss. Josiah is remembered for his sweeping religious reforms that resulted in one of the most significant revivals in biblical history (cf. 2 Kings 23-24). It is plausible that Zephaniah’s denunciation of apostate practices was a contributing... Continue Reading →
On December 23, 1991, a fire destroyed the Corsicana, Texas, home Mr. Cameron Todd Willingham shared with his wife and three daughters.[i] Willingham, who was (allegedly) asleep when the fire started, survived. However, his three daughters perished. At his trial, prosecutors claimed he had intentionally set fire to his home in order to kill his... Continue Reading →
I'll spare you a trip through the pseudo-mystical phase wherein the preacher "gets alone" with God and through "divine revelation" receives his next sermon! It is frustrating to hear pastors say, "God gave me this message," or "God laid this message on my heart." Typically, that means (loosely translated), "I am just winging it" and/or... Continue Reading →
Over the past three years, I've been asked a variety of questions about law school and how it relates to pastoral ministry. Most of these questions, however, revolve around two issues. First, people want to know HOW someone can be both a lawyer and a pastor. For many people, this is a moral question. That... Continue Reading →
WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT? As the cycle of rebellion, oppression, and deliverance continues, a new deliverer is introduced: Gideon, the farmer. The Midianites and Amalekites raids of Israelite farmlands caused Gideon to hide in a winepress to beat out his wheat, which certainly makes him look like a coward. However, when the angel of the... Continue Reading →
Micah’s Context: Micah's preaching (prophetic ministry) overlapped with the reign of three kings, covering a period of roughly fifty-five years (1:1). As a contemporary of the prophets Hosea and Amos, Micah witnessed a nation that was simultaneously at its zenith economically and spiraling into spiritual darkness. However, the people were oblivious to their spiritual depravity... Continue Reading →
Micah and His Personal Priest: When every man creates his own religion. (Judges 17:1-18:31)WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT? Micah, whose name ironically means, “Who is like Yahweh,” ignores the religious precepts revealed by God and attempts to establish his own cultic system. First, he had idols built with money that had been dedicated to the LORD.... Continue Reading →
WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT? Samuel’s place in redemptive history is often overlooked; he is both a transformative and transitional figure. His life and ministry serve as a high point in the history of Israel. Under his leadership, a revival of true worship is ignited (7:3-6), and Israel was freed from Philistine oppression (7:12-14). Samuel was... Continue Reading →
What’s it all about? If the Galatians turn from God’s grace to legalism (i.e., trying to approach God through strict observance of the Law) or moralism (i.e., trying to approach God through good works), then Paul’s ministry among them would have been a waste of time. The Galatians had professed faith in Jesus Christ as... Continue Reading →
