Past Studies

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A quick disclaimer: If I wanted all the posts in this space to form a systematic theology with no contradictions, I would have to drastically edit the majority of my past studies, and simply delete more than a few. But I would rather make this space an open conversation, a dialog. Not to slip into a post-modern relativity where the truth ultimately can’t be seen through the haze and distortion of our own perspectives, but neither to be content with a positivism where we all assume proudly that we’re just seeing things exactly as they are, without coloring and (yes, at times) skewing them.

There is real truth to be had, and it really can be seen clearly, but we do all have particular perspectives and vantage points, influenced by our own cultures, worldviews, brokenness, etc. What this means is that we desperately need each other in our search for truth. Especially in the disciplines of theology and history, we need an open, honest, humble community, a people willing to give tentative answers to questions, to talk about them publicly and inspect them critically, and then perhaps to revise them in light of the evidence that comes back through that  whole process.

In light of that epistemological goal, therefore, I offer these short studies in the interest of continued dialog. May the Spirit who raised Christ from the dead lead us into all truth, and may we become more like Christ in the process.

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Understanding Romans:

The good news of God’s commitment to humanity: overview

God’s righteousness unveiled: Romans 1-4

Adam, Exodus and life in Christ: Romans 5-8

The law according to Jesus and Paul

Who is the subject of Romans 7? (Part 1)

Who is the subject of Romans 7? (Part 2)

Israel and the Faithfulness of God: Romans 9-11

Romans 9-11: An Alternative Ending

Understanding Revelation:

Understanding Revelation: the false safety of literalism

Understanding Revelation: Metaphor vs. Symbol

The 144,000 Servants of God: a case study in apocalyptic symbolism

The Fall of Babylon: Comparing Revelation 16:17-21 with Revelation 17-18

Victory Through Suffering: thoughts on the two witnesses and the message of Revelation 11:3-13

Chiliasm and the Early Church

Questions from Revelation 20: the “first resurrection” and the “thousand years”

Questions from Revelation 20: the binding of the dragon

Questions from Revelation 20: the problem with premillennialism

The Historical Case For Amillennialism

Israel and the New Testament:

Trying to find that Biblical middle ground between Zionism and Supercessionism

The Spiritual Jew: An Exegetical Dialog on Romans 2

Covenant, Cross and Resurrection: a hermeneutical proposition

The New Testament’s (Re)interpretation of the Old Testament: a reaffirmation

The Son of Man, Israel, and Jesus the Messiah

“Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” – An investigation of Acts 1 (introduction)

“Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel” – An investigation of Acts 1 (part 1)

“Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel” – An investigation of Acts 1 (part 2)

Beyond the Concordance: Israel and the Church in the New Testament

Defining Our Terms: What Is the Calling of Israel?

The Unconditional Covenant: A Misuse of Language

Problems with Premillennialism?:

Part 1 – Introduction and investigation of 1 Cor 15:22-28

Part 2 – Investigation of 1 Cor 15:50-57

Part 3 – Investigation of Rom 8:18-23

Part 4 – Investigation of 2 Pet 3:8-13

Part 5 – Investigation of Matt 24:31-46

Part 6 – Investigation of 2 Thess 1:5-10

Part 7 – Investigation of John 5:28-29 and conclusion

An Alternative Premillennial Understanding of Daniel’s 70 Weeks:

Part 1 – Introduction

Part 2 – Exegetical Problems With the Dispensational Understanding of v. 27

Part 3 – Investigation of the Prophecy

Part 4 – Timing Issues and the Prophecies Fulfillment

Part 5 – Conclusion

Justification By Faithfulness:

Part 1 – Introduction

Part 2 – Back to the Beginning

Part 3 – Jesus the Jewish Interpreter (Part 1)

Part 4 – Jesus the Jewish Interpreter (Part 2)

Part 5 – Paul the Interpreter of Jesus (Part 1)

Part 6 – Paul the Interpreter of Jesus (Part 2)

Why the Doctrine of imputed righteousness is unbiblical:

Part 1 – Introduction

Part 2 – 1 Corinthians 1:30 & Philippians 3:9

Part 3 – Romans 3:21-26

Part 4 – 2 Corinthians 5:21

Part 5 – Romans 5:12-19

Part 6 – Pastoral consequences

Eschatological Hope:

The ministry of reconciliation

Why eschatology is important for every believer in every generation

Emotions of God:

Love and hate in the heart of God

God’s unfailing love and our misplaced security