Are You What You Read?

No doubt you’ve heard the saying that, “You are what you eat.” It’s also true that “you are what you read.” You can get some insight into someone just by looking at the books they read. I confess that when I visit someone’s house and they happen to have bookshelves, I’m inclined to get nosy. But Rosaria Butterfield adds a further dimension to the equation: “You Are What – and How -You Read.” The following article by Butterfield appeared on The Gospel Coalition website. I thought she made some good points...keep reading

God's Unfinished Business (Israel)

How do some Christians see Zionism? In fact most don’t see any biblical warrant to recognize a Jewish state. Even where some Christians don’t have any particular animosity against modern secular Israel, they deny any biblical mandate for its existence...keep reading

Edward Irving and the Pre-Trib Rapture

No, Irving didn't invent the pretrib rapture. And, no, Darby didn't get the idea from Irving...

Some have argued that J. N. Darby got his idea for the pre-trib rapture from either Edward Irving or another Irvingite source. Such a view is not possible since Edward Irving and the Irvingites never held to a pre-trib rapture. The Irvingites did hold to a version of a two-stage second coming where the rapture occurs days before the second coming. The Irvingite view is far different than the pretribulational understanding of Darby and the Brethren...keep reading

Pretribulational Rapture in 17th & 18th Century England 

The Rapture Before Darby

Millennial Meltdown

I thought this was pretty good. From The Cripplegate:

I started this month with an experiment: listen to 12 sermons from Revelation 6, from 12 well-known pastors; half amillennialists, and half premillennialists.  I ended this month with a new (to me) argument for premillennialism. Let me explain:

Revelation is obviously the book of the New Testament where one’s millennial view substantially affects the interpretation of the book as a whole. Premillennialists and amillennialists disagree over chapters like 1 Corinthians 15, Acts 1, and Romans 11. But overall, millennial views allow for substantial agreement on things like 1 Corinthians 1-14, Acts 2-27, and Romans 1-10/12-16.

But when it comes to Revelation, all bets are off...keep reading

Thought I'd add a link to this: The First Resurrection in Revelation 20 

God's Wrath in the 4th & 5th Seals

BTW, I found the comments at the end of Johnson's article interesting. No, I'm not talking about the eschatological debate challenge issued to him by one reader. Michael Heiser was mentioned and Fred Butler (Hip and Thigh) rightly chimed in with a warning about Heiser's "wonky" view of Genesis. Someone responded:

Lots of people have a wonky view of something. Take this lecture out for a spin and see where it goes. I found it interesting...P.S., I didn't see much problem with his Genesis approach. Unless, of course, you have to have a 6,000 year old universe or something. Lots of people aren't married to that.

Someone else mentioned Keller and Ross in a positive frame. They have their own problems marrying their beliefs with the biblical text. But Heiser's views on Genesis run further away from the text than the age of the universe and earth, or the extent of Noah's flood. Do your homework. Kudos to Fred for speaking up.

"The Need for Christian Intellectual Engagement" Acts 17:22-31

Another good one from Abner Chou:

Unlocking the Mysteries of Genesis

Abner Chou discusses the Genesis creation account. Very good:

Also see his article and audio at AIG HERE

The Master's Seminary Journal Spring 2016

Download it HERE