As we continue our study through the Gospel of Mark, we find ourselves face-to-face with one of the strangest stories in all of the New Testament. It is certainly one of the oddest miracles in the ministry of Jesus and the most baffling event in the Gospel of ... Read More »

Contemporary homiletic theory is often driven by immediate prag­matic ends: change lives, draw a crowd, attract seekers, or affect an immediate response. These ambitions in sum are not morally disabled. The problem is that in the expediency to accomplish sele... Read More »

A preacher’s dream text, the Sermon on the Mount, practically preaches itself. This sublime sermon bursts with object lessons,[1]Standing on the hills just northeast of the Sea of Galilee-the traditional location of the Sermon on the Mount-it is easy to ... Read More »

At least once a year, students who have been reading for another class Dallas Willard’s influential spiritual formation primer, The Divine Conspiracy, come to me asking if I agree with his perspective on the beatitudes. If they have already had me for ou... Read More »

Introduction “Describe the universe and give two examples.” I remember this tongue-in-cheek exam question my high school physics teacher tossed before our class with a smile on his face. Of course, answering the question is impossible. One may atte... Read More »

Name and Location The prophet Micah lived in a turbulent time for the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah. His name is a shortened variation of the name Micaiah, which means “who is like Yahweh.”[1]Also found in Judges 17-18; 1Kings 22. The name p... Read More »

Introduction As a Christian I am interested in seeing our Scriptures handled properly. As a professor whose specialty is the study of the prophetic materials, I am keenly aware that the prophetic corpus presents some of the most rewarding and difficult texts w... Read More »

First [of all] what are we to do? You are to preach, not run a moving picture show. I glory in the power of the printed pages. But, brethren, the one thing to which God called men is to preach and teach. That is your mission. Hundreds may lecture; but the grea... Read More »

Even a cursory reading of 1 Corinthians alerts the observant reader to the fact that certain (groups of) Corinthian Christians distorted and abused some gifts, which they might have held in higher regard than others because they were deemed more spectacular. R... Read More »

As President of Southwestern I am frequently asked by church members to recommend persons to their search committee to serve in the role of pastor.   On the other hand, I am also frequently sought out by graduating students and alumni, who would like for me ... Read More »

Introduction The universal history of Genesis 1-11 portrays God’s relationship to the world and to humankind with broad and bold theological strokes that transverse a landscape rich in literary detail and historical texture.[1]I refer to these chapters a... Read More »

Introduction In Genesis 2:4-11:32, human beings appear at their best and worst. The creation account thrusts the reader back in time and allows a glimpse of Eden in all of its splendor and perfection. However, in an instant, this flawless world collapsed, and ... Read More »