Round the Sphere Again: Scripture

Studying It

1. Two from Don Carson: Themes to work out in Ephesians 1 and On the Pauline triad (For the Love of God).
2. From Kim Shay, a discussion of principles for interpreting epistles.
3. It’s a different sort of study, but important: An interview with Dan Wallace on the New Testament manuscripts (Justin Taylor).

Listing It
On the canon:

1. Two from Michael Kruger: One dealing with the misconception that nothing in early Christianity dictated that there would be a canon; and another on the question of whether tradition the only way to know which books are in the canon (Canon Fodder).
2. From Steve Hayes: Which comes first: a collection or a list? (Triablogue).

The Most Important Person in All of History

I say, “Jesus Christ is the most important person ever,” and everyone nods piously. Then we move on to the more important stuff that we really wanted to talk about, now that I’ve checked that box. 

Yet I assure you just as earnestly as I can—envision me leaning over into your “space,” my eyes fixed on yours—that I mean this in the most literal sense.

It doesn’t matter whether we’re talking metaphysically, spiritually, historically, ontologically, or any other “-ally” you care to list off. In any plane, on any level, Jesus comes first. He is top, bottom, beginning and end. He is alpha and omega (Rev. 22:13).

… Jesus is the cause of creation, the agent of creation, the focus of creation, the aim of creation, He is the king and sustainer and controller of creation. He is spectator and participant, author and conductor, lawgiver and judge. He is savior and condemner. The atoms that winked into existence did so at His word. The atoms that are you will stand before Him for final judgment. The atoms that were you, along with the spirit they house, will either spend eternity suffering His wrath or delighting in His love.

Does it get any more important than that?

From The World-Tilting Gospel by Dan Phillips, which I’ll be reviewing on Wednesday, as long as there aren’t too many interruptions in my home. In the meantime, I’m quoting a bit of it in anticipation.

A Catechism for Girls and Boys

Part III: Questions about Salvation

72. Q. How could the Son of God suffer?
       A. Christ, the Son of God, took flesh and blood, that he might obey and suffer as a man.

(Click through to read scriptural proof.)

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