It's impossible to overemphasize the significance of Rom 1:16-17. Porter is absolutely right when he claims that Rom 1:16-17 is the "theme for the entire letter" (Porter, Letter to the Romans, 57). I read and re-read Rom 1:17a this morning to realize that this is one of the most complete and satisfying descriptions (or even … Continue reading Romans 1:17a
The Regenerated Heart
Eugene H. Peterson's Under the Unpredictable Plant (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1992) is one of those books to which I keep returning to be challenged and yet encouraged. One of my favorite sections of the book is where he describes the novelist Chaim Potok's (1929–2002) lecture at Johns Hopkins in the 1980s. Potok's Jewish mother tried … Continue reading The Regenerated Heart
Boccaccini, Paul’s Three Paths (2020)
Gabriele Boccaccini is a University of Michigan professor teaching Second Temple Judaism and early rabbinic literature. He's also a renowned Enoch specialist. I've been reading his 2020 book Paul's Three Paths to Salvation (Eerdmans). I am planning to write a (very) critical book review soon and have it published somewhere. Today's post only concerns a … Continue reading Boccaccini, Paul’s Three Paths (2020)
Sproul, Can I Be Sure I’m Saved? (2010)
Robert Charles Sproul (1939–2017) was an American Reformed theologian and ordained pastor in the PCA. He founded Ligonier Ministries. This short book Can I Be Sure I'm Saved? (2010) is the seventh in the Crucial Questions series (1983–2019) which includes 31 books (e.g., 1. Who Is Jesus? [1983] . . . 31. How Does God’s … Continue reading Sproul, Can I Be Sure I’m Saved? (2010)
Littleness vs. Greatness of Faith
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