Farewell to the Rapture (N.T. Wright)

This is a classic piece by N.T. Wright re-examining the meaning of some biblical texts in their Jewish context that have been hijacked by other interpretive schemes over the years. From Bible Review, August 2001, reprinted at NTWrightPage. Little did Paul know how his colorful metaphors for Jesus’ second coming would be misunderstood two millennia later….

THE BIBLE: Signposts to Christ

In this series of posts we’re exploring the different ways the Bible confronts the reader and the appropriate response to each. #8 – READING THE BIBLE AS SIGNPOSTS TO CHRIST & THE GOSPEL I used to read the Bible as a long, strange book of OT stories (e.g., David & Goliath, Noah and the Flood,…

THE BIBLE: Confrontation & Summons

  In this series of posts we’re exploring the different ways the Bible confronts the reader and the appropriate response to each. #7 – READING THE BIBLE AS CONFRONTATION & SUMMONS There is a brand of preaching and Bible reading in vogue today that fosters a “positive thinking” or Reader’s Digest approach to God’s Word….

The Danger of Bible Apps

I am a huge fan of the YouVersion Bible app for your smart phone. I use mine daily and tell everyone I know to download it. That said, there is a danger and major weakness to using such Bible apps.  It tends to foster an individualistic, me-centered devotional approach. All those helpful, well-meaning personal Bible…

THE BIBLE: God’s (Crazy) Family Album

In this series of posts we’re exploring the different ways the Bible confronts the reader and the appropriate response to each. #6 – READING THE BIBLE AS OUR FAMILY ALBUM Ever look back at your parents’ year books and laugh and gag at how ridiculous they appear? Ever read the embarrassing notes your friends scribbled…

THE BIBLE: Guidebook for Life

In this series of posts we’re exploring the different ways the Bible confronts the reader and the appropriate response to each. #5 – THE BIBLE AS GOD’S PRACTICAL GUIDEBOOK FOR LIFE The most popular approach to Scripture in modern-day America is to search it for practical principles for daily living. The Bible is God’s “Handbook…

THE BIBLE: God’s Grand Story

In this series of posts we’re exploring the different ways the Bible confronts the reader and the appropriate response to each. #4 – THE BIBLE AS GOD’S GRAND STORY The Bible is God’s Grand Story of his dealings within history — the grand metanarrative of creation, fall, redemption and restoration. We are all characters within…

THE BIBLE: Revelation of God’s Majesty

In this series of posts we’re exploring the different ways the Bible confronts the reader and the appropriate response to each. #3 – THE BIBLE AS REVELATION OF GOD’S MAJESTY Christians often take the mind-blowing fact of God’s self-revelation for granted. Our faith stands or falls on the foundational belief that God has stooped to…