Review of The Pictorial Library of Bible Lands by Todd Bolen

May 28, 2012

The new and revised 18-volume Pictorial Library of Bible Lands by Todd Bolen is a landmark achievement. These volumes contain more than 17,500 high-resolution photos of the lands and islands, sites and landscapes, roads and ruins, digs and artifacts, cultures and climates of the Bible. The vantage points vary from aerial to close-up to panoramic. Lighting, weather, season, … More Review of The Pictorial Library of Bible Lands by Todd Bolen

Ph.D. Papers

May 23, 2012

I enjoyed three main courses this past school year in addition to doctoral colloquia and other projects. For those who may be interested, below are summaries of the three major papers I wrote for my Ph.D. seminars. TITLE: “Exegesis of Romans 1:18-25” COURSE: Exegesis of Romans with Dr. Tom Schreiner Thesis/Summary: “In Romans 1:18–25 Paul … More Ph.D. Papers

Controlling the Questions: Circular Scholarship and the Cul-de-Sac of Inquiry

March 22, 2012

If you want to be a scholar, you have to know your field. The seminal works, the major contributions, the game-changing periods, the ebb and flow of dialogue throughout the decades or centuries or millennia. You have to join the conversation. There’s one problem with this (well, more than one, but one I’m going to … More Controlling the Questions: Circular Scholarship and the Cul-de-Sac of Inquiry

Stop and Think: The Mind in Life and Ministry (Part 4)

February 29, 2012

The power of our thoughts cannot be overestimated. The mind is our headquarters, our war room, our Oval Office. Our mental processes drive our attitudes, guide our decisions, and shape our community. Here thoughts coalesce into worldviews, seeds of selfishness or service incubate and blossom into sin or righteousness, and plans are hatched whether for good or … More Stop and Think: The Mind in Life and Ministry (Part 4)

Stop and Think: The Mind in Life and Ministry (Part 3)

February 27, 2012

Our mind is mission control center. It fuels, drives, and directs us. The dynamics at play are legion, and are well-worth our careful reflection. In Part 1, I shared the need to tie up the loose ends of our minds (1 Peter 1:13) due to the worldview-creating power of our thoughts. Then in Part 2, … More Stop and Think: The Mind in Life and Ministry (Part 3)

Stop and Think: The Mind in Life and Ministry (Part 2)

February 24, 2012

Our thinking drives our priorities, our priorities dictate our actions, our actions form our habits, and our habits reflect our destiny. Therefore, knowing the dynamics of the mind is fundamental for living wisely. 1. The mind is a spiritual battlefield (Gen 4:6-7; Ps 77:1-9, 11-20; Gal 5:16-17; 1 Pet 5:6-7). Conflicting thoughts rage and war … More Stop and Think: The Mind in Life and Ministry (Part 2)

Stop and Think: The Mind in Life and Ministry (Part 1)

February 22, 2012

How much of your life is affected by your mind? How much do your thoughts affect your day? To what extent are your attitudes, your perspectives, your relationships, and your communication shaped by your thinking? In 1 Peter 1:13, Peter draws a powerful picture: “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope … More Stop and Think: The Mind in Life and Ministry (Part 1)

Praise You, Thank You, Sorry, Help Us: Teaching the Little Ones to Pray

February 20, 2012

Teaching big truths to little minds simplifies our thinking. Some day I’d like to reach the place where my thinking and teaching could fit Jonathan Pennington’s description of renowned New Testament scholar Richard Bauckham: “He’s on the other side of complexity.” Like any other parent, I’d tried and tried to get our kids (4, 4, 5, 6) to look people … More Praise You, Thank You, Sorry, Help Us: Teaching the Little Ones to Pray

A Wedding Poem

February 14, 2012

WEDDING INVITATION POEM Gunner & Cindi Gundersen Fall 2001 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ … More A Wedding Poem

Mentor: A Plea to Older Christians

February 13, 2012

Dear Christian, Please help. Please help the younger generation of Christian high schoolers, college students, recent graduates, singles, and young married’s. Please help us learn to walk with Christ, read the Bible, love one another, develop a prayer life, conquer temptation, make wise decisions, and move in the right direction. We need you. We need the ripeness of … More Mentor: A Plea to Older Christians

Taking One for the Team

February 10, 2012

In the five days since my New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots in dramatic fashion in Super Bowl LXVI, the drama hasn’t stopped — it’s just moved outside the lines: receiver Wes Welker’s distraught and courageous postgame interview after dropping the game-sealing pass in the fourth quarter; tight end Rob Gronkowski’s much-publicized afterparty dancing only hours after the … More Taking One for the Team