Adversaria Videos and Podcasts
Scripture, Theology, Liturgy, and Culture
How does the book of Proverbs fit in with the rest of the OT? It seems so general and universal, and hardly draws upon Israel’s particular covenant history. It rarely if at all appeals to special revelation from YHWH, the God of Israel, and discusses natural realities that are universally acknowledged. Is there much of a difference between Proverbs and the sort of wisdom literature that pagans would write?
Continue reading “How Does Proverbs Fit in with the Rest of the OT?”
The story of the widow and her two mites (Luke 21:1-4) is often used to commend sacrificial giving. However, the immediate context contains Jesus condemning the Scribes for “devouring widows’ houses” and promising to destroy the temple. Is the story primarily about sacrificial giving? Or, is this story about a corrupt religious system that was devouring widows rather than caring and providing for them? The Macedonians in 2 Corinthians 8 gave out of their poverty, but it was in response to the gospel and doesn’t seem to have been their pennies.
Continue reading “Is The Widow With The Two Mites A Positive Example Of Sacrificial Giving?”
Why does Peter say that the Lord “bought” false teachers in 2 Peter 2:1? How can Christ be said to have “purchased” or “bought” those who are unsaved?
Continue reading “How Can Peter Describe False Teachers as Having Been ‘Bought’ By Christ?”
Do you use any Bible software (e.g., Logos) to support your studies? Do you have any thoughts on how they might help or hinder our study and perception of the written word?
Continue reading “What Are The Benefits and Dangers of Bible Software?”
If marriage is a pre-political institution then none of the measures laid down by the state (e.g. registration, marriage certificates etc.) make a marriage legitimate in God’s eyes. In which case, what does constitute a legitimate marriage in God’s eyes? One answer I’ve been given, based on Genesis 1-2, is something along the lines of: a man and a woman who make promises to each other before God and some witnesses. What are you thoughts on this, and which passage(s) would you use to make your case?
Continue reading “What Is Meant By Calling Marriage A Natural Institution?”
What implications does the promise of new creation have for Christian ethics? Specifically does new creation undermine natural law ethics since we are now to orientate our lives, not towards what is revealed in nature, but towards the new creation established by God in Christ. What implications does this have for issues in which Christians often appeal to natural law arguments – marriage, sexuality, gender issues etc…?
How should we understand the description of bad behavior in the “Last Days” in 2 Timothy 3? For one, isn’t the list of sinfulness characteristic of a great many ages and time periods? And in fact, its frequently used as a contemporary warning by preachers: “look at how much things are like this now. Truly these are the Last Days!” Can we find hope in this text?
How do we properly understand what Hebrews 6 refers to as those who “fall away” and the impossibility of their redemption?
Continue reading “How Should We Understand the People Who Fall Away in Hebrews 6?”
Given that Paul is the most prominent evangelist / church planter in the Bible, why are exhortations to evangelize seemingly so rare in his work? In many parts of the evangelical church we seem to foreground the need for evangelism and background discussion of ethics, should we reverse this?
Continue reading “Why Doesn’t Paul Say More About Evangelism?”
I would like to ask a two-part question: (a) could you give a defense from the Scripture for figural preaching and typological reading; (b) how would you respond to the criticism of typological exegesis as a way seeking hidden meanings and connection that probably no one else has noticed, thus focused a lot on novelty?
Adversaria Videos and Podcasts 