Category Archives: Theology

Surprised by Hope: The Downpayment and Inheritance

And so we were talking about Surprised by Hope in class on Sunday and someone brought up the idea that the Holy Spirit is a “deposit.” For example — (2 Cor 1:21-22) Now it is God who makes both us … Continue reading

Posted in Heaven, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Surprised by Hope: The Downpayment and Inheritance

Which Gospel? Introduction, Part 4

Sexually pure gospel Watch enough 24-hour news shows and pretty soon you’ll see some evangelist interviewed. The subject will be sex — abortion, divorce, homosexuality, abstinence. It’s as though the only thing Jesus taught us was to keep our pants … Continue reading

Posted in Gospel, What Is the?, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Which Gospel? Introduction, Part 4

Which Gospel? Introduction, Part 3

We need to consider a few more gospels, at least briefly. The gospel of salvation As I mentioned a couple of posts ago, sometimes we so focus on the getting saved that we have little understanding of being saved. Which … Continue reading

Posted in Gospel, What Is the?, Uncategorized | Tagged | 8 Comments

Which Gospel? Introduction, Part 2

The prophetic gospel In his book A Peculiar People: The Church As Culture in a Post-Christian Society, Rodney Clapp talks about our living in a post-Constantinian world where Christianity is no longer the chaplain to the powers that be. We … Continue reading

Posted in Gospel, What Is the?, Uncategorized | Tagged | 5 Comments

Surprised by Hope: A Musical Interlude

Stumbled across this on UTube while looking for a commentary on Isa 65:17 —

Posted in Heaven, Uncategorized | Tagged | 5 Comments

Surprised by Hope: The Identity of the New Jerusalem in Rev 21

Last Sunday, while teaching my class on Surprised by Hope, a student suggested that the new Jerusalem in Rev 21 is the church, reasoning that the church is elsewhere referred to as Jesus’ bride. Jon made the same point in … Continue reading

Posted in Heaven, Uncategorized | Tagged | 4 Comments

Surprised by Hope: Bishop Wright on the Colbert Report

Bishop Wright being interviewed on the Colbert Report — giving as good as he gets. Not many theologians get to be interviewed in such a forum, and fewer still come out as well.

Posted in Heaven, Uncategorized | Tagged | 4 Comments

Which Gospel? Introduction, Part 1

This series is based on a great article in Preaching Today. The author, Skye Jethani, addresses the turmoil in the modern evangelical church over how the gospel should be preached. In most conservative, American Protestant churches the gospel has been … Continue reading

Posted in Gospel, What Is the?, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Surprised by Hope: Will We Go to Heaven When We Die?

In Rev 21-22, we are not pictured as going to heaven. Rather, God’s dwelling is relocated from heaven to the new earth. The new heaven and new earth Do other authors say the same thing? (2 Pet 3:10-13) But the … Continue reading

Posted in Heaven, Uncategorized | Tagged | 11 Comments

Surprised by Hope: Paradise

Paradise Strong’s Dictionary says “paradise” derives from the Hebrew pardec, meaning an orchard or forest. It’s a reference back to Eden. This is strongly suggested by– (Rev. 2:7b) To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from … Continue reading

Posted in Heaven, Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments Off on Surprised by Hope: Paradise