Matthew 14–15 has a startling juxtaposition of the littleness and greatness of faith. It’s striking because it defies our expectations. When Jesus came to his disciples, walking on the water (Matt 14:22–36), Peter, for some unknown reason, asked Jesus to command him to come on the water. While successful with his first several steps, the … Continue reading Littleness vs. Greatness of Faith
Reflecting on Death
Our neighbor has a dog. Her name is N—I will only use the initial for privacy—and she is a beautiful golden retriever. Yet she’s so old that her death is imminent. As her time rapidly draws near, I see our neighbor’s hearts sink. They are doing everything that they can do to extend N’s stay … Continue reading Reflecting on Death
Bates, Gospel Allegiance (2019)
With all due respect, I find Bates's Gospel Allegiance misleading. His so-called King Jesus gospel movement is a serious challenge to today's church. Please read my book review if you're interested in knowing why I must warn you about his work (Click the bibliographic information below). Matthew W. Bates. Gospel Allegiance: What Faith in Jesus … Continue reading Bates, Gospel Allegiance (2019)
Burge, NT in Seven Sentences (2019)
I think I bought this book at the SBL National Meeting in San Diego (2019). The author Gary M. Burge (b. 1952) is NT professor who taught for twenty-five years at Wheaton (IL). He says that his goal is to help the reader obtain an “aerial view” of the New Testament (p. 2), which, I … Continue reading Burge, NT in Seven Sentences (2019)
We Fly Away (Psalm 90:10)
Two observations surprise me: that it has already been more than two years since COVID-19 began to devour the world (December 2019) and that almost half of 2022 is already gone. These, however, shouldn’t bowl me over because I know the Psalmist’s trenchant statement of the shortness of our lives, “for they [our days] quickly … Continue reading We Fly Away (Psalm 90:10)