by Kenny Burchard | Jan 20, 2016 | Eschatology, The Kingdom of God, Theological Studies
Imagine, if you can, an ancient walled city. It is beautiful and expansive, surrounded on every side by lofty walls with gates to the north, south, east, and west. Imagine watchmen atop the walls, and sentries at the main gates with their entourage of guards to let...
by Kenny Burchard | Jan 15, 2016 | Eschatology, Theological Studies
I drive my son to school every morning and we have some great conversations on the way (in addition to listening to his favorite music, which is 80s music. YES!). This morning he wanted to talk about the idea of an end-times rapture. He said… Dad, yesterday I...
by Luke Geraty | Apr 23, 2015 | Baptism, Charismatic Theology, Christology, Ecclesiology, Eschatology, Eucharist, Pneumatology, Sacramentalism, Theological Studies
My early Christian experience was largely in church traditions that were about as far from any form of sacramentalism that one could get. Our family attended churches within the Evangelical and Charismatic movements, none of which ever used the word “sacrament.”...
by Luke Geraty | Jan 27, 2015 | Ecclesiology, Eschatology, Pneumatology, Theological Studies
Of contemporary Protestant theologians, Jürgen Moltmann stands among giants as he is considered one of the most influential and widely read systematicians of his time.[1] Though Moltmann was Professor of Theology at Tübingen from 1967 to 1994, he spent a number of his...
by Tim Geddert | Jan 1, 2015 | Eschatology, Theological Studies
In my first post in this three-part series I shared my way of reading Mark 13, explaining why I have long believed that it is a call to discernment, perseverance, faithfulness and witness, and is not an invitation to look for signs of the end-times and to calculate...
by Tim Geddert | Dec 17, 2014 | Eschatology, Theological Studies
Mark 13 is often called the “Little Apocalypse” and in many English translations it is given the title “Signs of the End Times.” But there are good reasons to doubt the claim that Mark 13 contains “Signs of the End Times.” The chapter begins with Jesus’ disciples...
by Luke Geraty | May 20, 2014 | Charismatic Theology, Eschatology, The Kingdom of God
Here are a couple great explanations of the Kingdom of God and its accompanying theology: “The [kingdom of God] is the abstract or dynamic idea of reign, rule, or dominion…” – George Eldon Ladd “… the kingdom of God is the central theological motif that gives...
by Luke Geraty | Apr 22, 2014 | Biblical Theology, Eschatology, Systematic Theology, The Kingdom of God, Theological Studies
Craig Blaising writes: “The theology of Luke-Acts teaches that when Jesus ascended into heaven, he was enthroned with kingdom authority.64 Paul teaches that Jesus is presently seated at the right hand of God with all things in subjection under his feet (Eph....
by Kenny Burchard | Mar 14, 2014 | Eschatology
In 1969, Larry Norman wrote his song, “I wish we’d all been ready” based on the popularized rapture schema of pre-trib (and mid trib) premillennial eschatology. The chorus says… There’s no time To change your mind The son has come And...
by Luke Geraty | Aug 7, 2013 | Eschatology, New Testament
Related to Matt. 24:33-34, John MacArthur writes the following statement: “… there is the total absense of New Testament instruction to the church as to how it should endure and conduct itself during the Tribulation.” (Matthew 24-28, TMNTC, 65). Yes,...
by Luke Geraty | May 25, 2013 | Apologetics, Biblical Theology, Christology, Ecclesiology, Eschatology, The Kingdom of God, Theological Studies
I’m often asked by pastors which books by Wright they should read and I used to always refer them to the Christian Origins and the Question of God series because, quite frankly, you can’t be into NT studies without having interacted with his works in that...
by Luke Geraty | Mar 13, 2013 | Charismatic Theology, Cultural Engagement, Eschatology, Politics
I’m going to leave out names on this one. Not because I’m afraid to address public people who do things in the public square publicly, but because my point isn’t to “call out” anyone. The people I’m thinking about are most certainly...
by Luke Geraty | Nov 7, 2012 | Eschatology, Politics
When I think of political elections and some of the messages that some Christians project, I think “doom and gloom.” It seems that for some, we’re always right on the precipice of the Apocalypse with each election. This is often tied to the...
by Luke Geraty | Sep 6, 2012 | Eschatology, Hermeneutics
This morning I was reading through a chapter of The Return of Jesus in Early Christianity and came upon one of the most ridiculous statements I have read in awhile. I know, I know… I need to read more. But just read how ridiculous this statement is: “The...
by Luke Geraty | Aug 17, 2012 | Christology, Eschatology
In preparation for this coming Sunday’s message on the four parables of the Olivet Discourse, I read a fantastic statement by Michael Wilkins: “The way one thinks about the Lord’s return will eventually influence what one says and how one acts. Perhaps the...
by Luke Geraty | Aug 13, 2012 | Apologetics, Biblical Theology, Conflict Resolution, Cultural Engagement, Eschatology, Hermeneutics, Israel, The Kingdom of God
This is going to be a little bit longer post than usual. Stick with me and I think it’ll make sense in the end. Well, I certainly hope so. I’ve been teaching on the subject of eschatology for the past couple of weeks in the church I serve. It’s been...
by Luke Geraty | Aug 9, 2012 | Eschatology, Messianic Judaism
The apostle Paul makes a remarkable statement in Romans 11:26: “Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this...
by Luke Geraty | May 3, 2012 | Ecclesiology, Eschatology, Pneumatology, The Vineyard Movement
In J.I. Packer’s Keep in Step with the Spirit, the Spirit is said to have a specific function in the life of the church. As I’ve been teaching on the Spirit’s work and role in the church, I’m struck by how important and equally amazing it is to...
by Luke Geraty | Mar 17, 2012 | Eschatology, Reviews
Having already read the other books in the “40 Questions” series, I knew that it was written primarily for non-scholars. Yet all of the books in this series have consistently reflected a scholarly grasp on the subjects addressed. Schnabel’s work is...
by Luke Geraty | Mar 12, 2012 | Eschatology, Hermeneutics, New Testament
If you are going to attempt interpreting Scripture properly, you need to consider the type of genre you are considering. Most interpretive mistakes take place because people simply are unaware of certain guidelines involved with interpreting the Bible. So how do we...
