One of the most controversial documents in the New Testament among modern scholarship today, 1 Timothy has been under close scrutiny from a literary and content perspective. From claims that the historic Paul did not author the letter, to the most pointed views that 1 Timothy is a misogynistic affront to women, there is no lack of excitement surrounding this ancient document. Incorporating the most recent advancements in New Testament scholarship, Jeon examines the letter from the perspective of its first-century audience. With meticulous precision, Jeon explains the rhetorical use of chiasms in the letter as the deliberate structuring device for its oral performance in the first century. Even more, Jeon shows how the use of chiasms in 1 Timothy impact its audience, shaping and informing their comprehension of the content and their intended response by the author. In refreshing fashion, Jeon’s analysis invites and enables a modern audience in the twenty-first century to inch closer to hearing the performance of 1 Timothy and experiencing the author’s presence from nearly two thousand years ago. “”In the third volume of this commentary, Jeon concludes a detailed analysis of the grammar, structure, and theology of 1 Timothy 5-6. Like its previous volumes, the careful reading by way of performative structure will benefit scholars of this remarkable letter and preachers alike.”” –Timothy Milinovich, Associate Professor of Theology, Dominican University, River Forest, Illinois Paul S. Jeon (PhD, Catholic University of America) is visiting professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary (DC), an ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church in America, and lead pastor of NewCity Church. He is also the author of several books.
1 Timothy is one of the more controversial documents in the New Testament. For years, critical scholars have rejected Pauline authorship, highlighted the apparent misogynistic quality of the text, and argued against any coherence in the letter. Jeon takes a fresh look at the letter, incorporating many recent advancements in NT scholarship. In detail he demonstrates the macro- and micro- chiastic arrangement of the entire letter and explains how the presumed first-century audience would have heard and responded to an oral performance of the letter. In doing so, Jeon offers a fresh challenge to more popular ways of (mis)understanding the letter and points a way forward for appropriating the letter both in academia and in the church.
1 Timothy is one of the more controversial documents in the New Testament. For years, critical scholars have rejected Pauline authorship, highlighted the apparent misogynistic quality of the text, and argued against any coherence in the letter. Jeon takes a fresh look at the letter, incorporating many recent advancements in NT scholarship. In detail he demonstrates the macro- and micro- chiastic arrangement of the entire letter and explains how the presumed first-century audience would have heard and responded to an oral performance of the letter. In doing so, Jeon offers a fresh challenge to more popular ways of (mis)understanding the letter and points a way forward for appropriating the letter both in academia and in the church.
Being Presbyterian involves multiple layers of identity and connection. As Christians, Presbyterians are “catholic,” sharing the common heritage of ancient Christianity with all believers, of all times, in all places. Presbyterians are Protestant by conviction sharing the rich spiritual heritage of the sixteenth century and the unique contributions of the Reformed Tradition. Historically, Presbyterians are also part of the evangelical movement, embracing the legacy of the eighteenth-century revivals (awakenings) in America and Britain. Each of these historic layers is equally important to Presbyterian identity and this book will seek to underscore that reality.
Many prominent Christians insist that the church must yield to contemporary evolutionary theory and therefore modify traditional biblical ideas about the creation of life. They argue that God used—albeit in an undetectable way—evolutionary mechanisms to produce all forms of life. Featuring two dozen highly credentialed scientists, philosophers, and theologians from Europe and North America, this volume contests this proposal, documenting evidential, logical, and theological problems with theistic evolution—making it the most comprehensive critique of theistic evolution yet produced.
Vern Poythress, one of today’s leading Reformed theologians, has made many vital contributions to evangelical scholarship―particularly a vision to glorify Christ as Lord over all areas of human life in order to redeem all realms of human thought.
In honor of his many years of faithful thinking and writing, twenty evangelical scholars have come together to produce a set of essays on topics of importance throughout his ministry: biblical exegesis, the doctrine of the Trinity, worldview, history, and ethics.
Although the doctrine of eternal generation has been affirmed by theologians of nearly every ecclesiastical tradition since the fourth century, it has fallen on hard times among evangelical theologians since the nineteenth century. The doctrine has been a structural element in two larger doctrinal complexes: Christology and the Trinity. The neglect of the doctrine of eternal generation represents a great loss for constructive evangelical Trinitarian theology.
Retrieving the doctrine of eternal generation for contemporary evangelical theology calls for a multifaceted approach. Retrieving Eternal Generation addresses (1) the hermeneutical logic and biblical bases of the doctrine of eternal generation; (2) key historical figures and moments in the development of the doctrine of eternal generation; and (3) the broad dogmatic significance of the doctrine of eternal generation for theology. The book addresses both the common modern objections to the doctrine of eternal generation and presents the productive import of the doctrine for twenty-first century evangelical theology. Contributors include Michael Allen, Lewis Ayres, D. A. Carson, Oliver Crisp, and more.
The holy has been defined existentially and sociologically, and churches too often allow their expectations regarding holiness to be prompted by existential aspirations or the social mores of the Christian community. Perhaps it is not surprising that many view holiness as accidental or expendable, even as a legalistic and conformist posture opposed to the freedom of the gospel. But sanctification is one of the gifts of the gospel of Jesus Christ, so we must think about the way in which he makes his redeemed holy as a grace.
Sanctification, the latest volume in the New Studies in Dogmatics series, patiently defines holiness in theological terms by tending to its connections with core Christian doctrines such as the character of God, the nature of creation, and the covenantal shape of life with God. It then considers the ways in which the gospel of Jesus not only prompt us to holy action but provides holiness as one of its blessings. Finally, it attends to the ways in which the gift of sanctification relates to various human instruments and means, so that we can appreciate its connection to human nature, creaturely responsibility, and the pedagogy of exemplars and of law. Sanctification offers a Christ-centered account of sanctification by viewing the doctrine within its wider canonical and creedal context, hoping to bring its distinctly Christian definition and thoroughly gracious character into greater relief.
New Studies in Dogmatics seeks to retrieve the riches of Christian doctrine for the sake of contemporary theological renewal. Following in the tradition of G. C. Berkouwer’s Studies in Dogmatics, this series will provide thoughtful, concise, and readable treatments of major theological topics, expressing the biblical, creedal, and confessional shape of Christian doctrine for a contemporary evangelical audience. The editors and contributors share a common conviction that the way forward in constructive systematic theology lies in building upon the foundations laid in the church’s historic understanding of the Word of God as professed in its creeds, councils, and confessions, and by its most trusted teachers.
The book of Ecclesiastes, part of the wisdom literature of the Bible, can be a perplexing maze to interpret and teach. Full of apparent contradictions and much-debated Hebrew, the theme focuses on the gritty realities of life ‘under the sun’. Richard Belcher approaches this book with the depth and care it needs, presenting solid guidance on the intricacies of interpretation – alongside continual comments on the practicalities of preaching.
The Westminster Assembly is celebrated for its doctrinal standards and debates on church polity. But how often is the assembly noted for its extraordinary intervention in the pulpit ministry of the Church of England? In God’s Ambassadors, Chad Van Dixhoorn recounts the Puritan quest for a reformation in preachers and preaching and how the Westminster Assembly fit into that movement. He examines the assembly’s reform efforts, tracing debates and exploring key documents about preaching in a way that both highlights disagreements within the assembly’s ranks and showcases their collective plan for the church going forward.
Moreover, Van Dixhoorn reveals the rationale behind the assembly’s writings and reforms, both in terms of biblical exegesis and practical theology. Unlike any other book, God’s Ambassadors draws attention to the lengths to which the Westminster Assembly would go in promoting godly preachers and improved preaching.
Do I Love God? The Question That Must Be Answered is written for the purpose of helping believers in Christ, as well as those curious about God, evaluate their relationship with God. The most important priority and assurance in life is knowing God! Because God is a trinity of persons–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit–who have loved one another in full and perfect relationship from eternity and is thus relational, we who are made in his image can actually know him personally and walk in loving relationship with him. God is not impersonal; he is love. Loving God is why we are created. Using the three domains of the heart–know, feel, do–the reader is encouraged to take a personal look into what he believes about Christ, how he loves others and how he seeks purity of life. Assurance of a relationship with God is gained through proper doctrinal belief, passionate spirituality, and godly obedience. These three tests of assurance are evidence that one loves God. God is a God of grace. Do I Love God? will help the reader explore the depth of God’s grace and his love!
Throughout the Bible, God has related to his people through covenants. It is through these covenant relationships, which collectively serve as the foundation for God’s promise to bring redemption to his people, that we can understand the advancement of his kingdom. This book walks through six covenants from Genesis to Revelation, helping us grasp the overarching narrative of Scripture and see the salvation God has planned for us since the beginning of time―bolstering our faith in God and giving us hope for the future.
Part of the Short Studies in Biblical Theology series.
Drawing on decades of counseling experience, Jim Newheiser explores forty crucial questions relating to the complexities of marriage, divorce, and remarriage—unpacking the answers given in God’s Word. This useful reference work for pastors, counselors, and personal study can also be read straight through for a scriptural overview of the topic or assigned in small sections to counselees.
Is God worthy of worship only because He blesses us? How should we respond to God when suffering comes into our lives? At the heart of the book of Job is a question about the character of God – and about how we should respond to Him. In this most recent title of the extensive Focus on the Bible series, Richard Belcher expertly deals with the difficult themes of this practical book, showing how it is still acutely applicable to the lives of believers.
J.C. Ryle’s Holiness has imparted a standing challenge to Christians for 130 years. In this new, slimmed-down series of excerpts from Ryle’s masterwork, we aim to present his original message to a whole new generation. Holiness, Ryle argued, was not simply a matter of believing and feeling, but of doing.
If you’re learning Hebrew, why not enjoy it?
Sadly, most students of biblical Hebrew quit their studies at the most crucial moment the transition from language basics to biblical exegesis. But you can flourish early on and progress further if you learn from the outset to read and explain biblical texts effectively.
In this comprehensive introductory textbook, Professor William Fullilove covers the basics of biblical Hebrew morphology and syntax while developing skills in the beginner that are typically reserved for more advanced students. Hebrew study becomes rapidly rewarding as you start to appreciate nuances of God’s Word that you would not be able to see in translation; understand how to appropriately use the best tools and secondary resources to aid in exegesis; and learn how to use your Hebrew knowledge to enrich your own understanding, research, and teaching.
Your studies are valuable. Stay engaged as you learn how to handle God’s Word with depth, confidence, and robust exegesis.
Grammar, Reading, and Exegetical Exercises in Each Chapter