Singing in the Reign: The Psalms and the Liturgy of God’s Kingdom by Michael Barber (Review)

September 16, 2013

The Hebrew Scriptures are adorned and haunted by their crown jewel — the Psalter. The Psalms fathom the depths of evil, suffering, and betrayal, and scale the heights of devotion, deliverance, and steadfast love. Through the centuries, Jews and Christians have turned to the Psalter both as individuals and communities to lament, repent, question, declare, and … More Singing in the Reign: The Psalms and the Liturgy of God’s Kingdom by Michael Barber (Review)

The Jesus Storybook Bible Deluxe Edition (Review)

July 29, 2013

With four children ages 5-7, I care deeply about children’s Bibles. If the Bible is the sacred book we believe it is, then the selection of stories, their emphases and implications, the language and tone, the artwork — everything matters. The tagline of the popular Jesus Storybook Bible (ZonderKidz, 2009) reads: “Every story whispers his name.” In the introduction … More The Jesus Storybook Bible Deluxe Edition (Review)

Temptation Is Bigger Than You Think

July 4, 2013

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught his disciples to make this regular request: “lead us not into temptation” (Matthew 6:13a). Perhaps because “temptation” sounds so ominous, believers and non-believers alike typically view it as a noticeable, passing, one-time event. We certainly see these types of temptations in the Bible: Adam and Eve in the garden (Genesis 3:1-7), Jesus in … More Temptation Is Bigger Than You Think

The Psalter Reclaimed: Praying and Praising with the Psalms by Gordon Wenham (Review)

July 1, 2013

The Psalter Reclaimed: Praying and Praising with the Psalms (Crossway, 2013) is a collection of insightful essays by seasoned OT scholar Gordon Wenham. Wenham promotes using the Psalms in worship, reading the Psalms through canonical, messianic, and ethical lenses, and valuing the imprecatory psalms. Emphasizing a canonical approach throughout, Wenham seeks to interpret a particular psalm in light … More The Psalter Reclaimed: Praying and Praising with the Psalms by Gordon Wenham (Review)

A Neglected Grace: Family Worship in the Christian Home by Jason Helopoulos (Review)

June 27, 2013

“Family worship” is an archaic phrase—and an increasingly archaic practice. It sounds austere and intimidating, like an outdated tradition for über-conservative, tightly sheltered, hyper-Christian families who care more about spiritual solemnity than family warmth. Jason Helopoulos, assistant pastor at University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan, puts the lie to these misconceptions and seeks to … More A Neglected Grace: Family Worship in the Christian Home by Jason Helopoulos (Review)

Lessons on Teaching from Prof. Todd Bolen: A Brief Interview

June 19, 2013

Todd Bolen is a professor, mentor, and friend — the kind of teacher and advisor I want to be around and be like. In 2002 I took my only class with Todd — History of Ancient Israel — and then toured Israel with him in summer 2005. Both experiences fostered true education: my understanding and my … More Lessons on Teaching from Prof. Todd Bolen: A Brief Interview

Weakness Is the Way by J. I. Packer (Review)

June 17, 2013

James Innell Packer was born in Gloucester, England on July 22, 1926. Oxford, teaching, authorship, and a long life of Christian service would follow. Now at the back end of an influential life, J. I. Packer lives in Vancouver and serves as the Board of Governors’ Professor of Theology at Regent College. He is 86 years … More Weakness Is the Way by J. I. Packer (Review)

Jesus the Messiah: Tracing the Promises, Expectations, and Coming of Israel’s King (Review)

May 31, 2013

The Bible contains a rich tapestry of interwoven themes, intricate layers, and imaginative development. Reducing its grand story to a sterile set of platitudes or a disposable heap of shallowly constructed contradictions is naïve at best. As I go deeper into the unfolding themes of Scripture, I continue to marvel at its intricacy and sophistication. … More Jesus the Messiah: Tracing the Promises, Expectations, and Coming of Israel’s King (Review)

Interview with Dr. Douglas Huffman: Keeping Up with Your Greek

March 18, 2013

I recently reviewed Dr. Douglas Huffman’s very helpful Handy Guide to New Testament Greek. Dr. Huffman was kind enough to answer a few questions about biblical Greek and the value of keeping up with the biblical languages. How did you get into biblical Greek, and what made you enjoy it enough to continue studying and eventually teach it? I first took biblical … More Interview with Dr. Douglas Huffman: Keeping Up with Your Greek

Lessons on Teaching from Prof. Grant Horner: A Brief Interview

January 4, 2013

Professor Grant Horner is a rock-climbing, sailing English teacher at The Master’s College and author of Meaning at the Movies: Becoming a Discerning Viewer (Crossway, 2010). I took only gen ed courses with Horner in college, but they were always intellectually appetizing. Horner’s teaching was passionate, stirring, and tension-building, creating the need for wise and discerning resolutions. His … More Lessons on Teaching from Prof. Grant Horner: A Brief Interview

Wisdom for Would-be Authors: Interview with Crossway’s Senior Editor Dave DeWit

January 2, 2013

I have written a little, and would like to write more. Dave DeWit is Senior Editor at Crossway and has spent nearly three decades in the Christian publishing industry, mostly with Moody Publishers. I met Dave on a recent trip to Chicago, and after hearing some of his experience and perspective in person, I wanted to hear … More Wisdom for Would-be Authors: Interview with Crossway’s Senior Editor Dave DeWit

Lessons on Teaching from Dr. Abner Chou: A Brief Interview

December 31, 2012

Dr. Abner Chou serves as Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at The Master’s College in Southern California. He is the author of I Saw the Lord: A Biblical Theology of Vision (Wipf & Stock, forthcoming) and will contribute the Lamentations installment of the Evangelical Exegetical Commentary (Logos). I have known Abner for more than ten years now. … More Lessons on Teaching from Dr. Abner Chou: A Brief Interview

Teachers of the Future: Advice from Seminary Leader Dan Dumas

December 28, 2012

The landscape of higher education is undergoing a seismic shift. What’s the future of teachers after the shakedown? What will the teachers of the next generation need to look like and prioritize? Dan Dumas, Senior Vice President for Institutional Administration at Southern Seminary, recently shared four observations with a classroom of prospective teachers. Dumas has … More Teachers of the Future: Advice from Seminary Leader Dan Dumas

All I Want for Christmas: Simeon’s Hope

December 25, 2012

I’ve always thought the account of Simeon in Luke 2:21-35 was a very precious and moving story. I’ve read it and been stirred by it at all times of the year. But it’s particularly striking around Christmas. Simeon was an elderly man who had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he wouldn’t die until he had seen the promised Messiah, … More All I Want for Christmas: Simeon’s Hope

Lessons on Teaching from Dr. Rob Plummer: A Brief Interview

December 19, 2012

I recently took Theological French with Dr. Rob Plummer, Associate Professor of NT Interpretation at Southern Seminary and author of the popular 40 Questions about Interpreting the Bible. One-semester courses in research languages are not the main reason why anyone pursues theological education, yet even in this course I found Dr. Plummer engaging, clear, caring, … More Lessons on Teaching from Dr. Rob Plummer: A Brief Interview