Is the NIV a good translation?
The NIV is a very good translation. It is, however, a "dynamic equivalent" translation. That is, they translate "thought for thought" rather than "word for word." That makes it more "readable" than…
Neil Anderson
I am somewhat familiar with Neil Anderson. A number of years ago I taught an adult Bible study that used Victory over the Darkness as one of its texts. I had a sufficient number of difficulties with…
Calvinism vs. Arminianism: A Worthwhile Debate
As far as Calvinism and Arminianism are concerned, I do think the issue is an important one. However, for the most part, I also think it is an in-house debate. That is, I believe that most Calvinists…
Slain In The Spirit
Well, the fact that your pastor won't discuss the merits of the teaching ought to tell you something significant. Not that Benny Hinn or his theological compatriots are wrong about everything, but…
Literal Interpretation
Preliminary Issues First, I'm afraid I will have to mix my answers with theology in order that my responses to specific examples will make sense. You clearly approach the Bible from a particular set…
Teaching Covenant
With the youngest kids, I just stick to a family metaphor: The relationship between parents and their children is a good parallel to God's covenant relationship with his people. Parents love their…
Marrying Unbelievers
The main call of ministers is to perform covenant marriages, that is, marriages between those who are part of the visible church. It is not to perform a service for the civil government. The Bible…
Covenants, Vows, Promises and a False Gospel?
I'm sorry to hear about your situation. It sounds like you are wrestling several issues. I'll try to address two of them specifically. The Gospel The first issue is the question of what the gospel…
Ambiguous Scripture
On Interpretation There are several reasons that Scripture is misinterpreted, and not all of them have to do with how it was written. In some senses, God purposed for some Scripture to be…
Calvinist Hermeneutics
I suppose the answer depends on how you define "literal" and "figurative." I would say "literal," with the explanation that Calvinists often define the "literal" meaning as the "originally intended"…
Is Strong's Concordance a good Bible dictionary?
Yes, Strong's concordance is an excellent dictionary of sorts. It is good to know the meaning of words when studying anything. However, we also must remember that the Bible is more than just words…
Narrative Theology
"Narrative theology" is a fairly broad term, encompassing a variety of specific approaches to theology, interpretation and application. Most generally, it is that approach to theology that finds…
Redemptive-Historical Preaching
As a student of Edmund Clowney and Meredith Kline, I have long been impressed with the importance of a redemptive-historical understanding of Scripture. Geerhardus Vos's books are the best source for…
Theology Professor
There are, of course, many paths to teaching, especially in systematic theology. ST as a discipline really doesn't exist at secular universities and colleges. At Yale, there were courses called…
Climbing the Corporate Ladder
The dangerous potential for a dulled love for Christ exists in every job. In fact, it might even be worse in the ministry. Richard Pratt has a saying, "If you make your living by your faith, you…
Meaning and Application
The meaning/application argument is developed pretty fully in Doctrine of the Knowledge of God. Here's a summary: To "apply" the Bible, in general terms, is to use the Bible to answer our questions…
Called to Ministry?
Thanks for writing. Calling is a very difficult question in my mind. We protestants believe in sola Scriptura, but Scripture does not tell each individual what he is called to be or do. So there are…
Ordination Disparity
Yes, this is a discouraging business. Central Florida Presbytery is a delight-- best one I've ever been in. We spend the mornings in worship, teaching, and prayer. Business in the afternoon is short.…
If I Could Change Seminary Education
If I were king and could wave my magical scepter, I would radically change the basic agenda of seminary. After 22 years of teaching in a seminary, I slowly began to realize something. We were not…
Christ Died For You
Well, the answer is yes and no, depending on the audience and/or depending on the antecedent of "our." If "our" means "those of me and my company" or "those of us believers," then it carries no…
Systematic Theology Divisions?
The answer to this question is very dependent upon one's background. Commonly we see: (1) the Doctrine of the Word of God, (2) the Doctrine of God, (3) the Doctrine of Man, (4) the Doctrine of the…
Robert Rules the Church
Generally, constitutions and by-laws include documents that are useful to the normal function of the church (statements of faith, forms of government, rules of discipline, orders of worship, secular…
Why Study Theology?
Any interpretation of the Bible, any understanding of it at all, is theology. We can't even approach the Bible to read it without carrying with us certain theological assumptions (at the very least…