Faith | Books | Culture
TGC Canada has launched a weekly podcast, which will aim to encourage Canadians in Gospel-centered ways (and anyone who listens). In TGC Canada’s inaugural episode, pastors John Mahaffey and Paul Martin discuss why we need a Gospel Coalition in Canada. Click below to listen:
Intertextuality has become something of a buzz word in Christian academic literature. But the term probably will or perhaps has begun to influence church leaders through commentaries and through the popular(ish) writings of Richard Hays.
As many in Biblical Studies describe it, an intertextual connection refers to how a later biblical text cites an earlier biblical text. For Example, Hebrews 1:5 cites Psalm 2:7: “You are my Son, / today I have begotten you.” Hebrews 1:5’s citation is an intertext because Hebrews 1:5 cites the Old Testament (Psalm 2:7), which was written before Hebrews. The way that I have explained intertextuality here relies on the notion that a later author has intentionally cited an earlier author for a specific purpose.
The problem is that intertextuality means something entirely different than how Biblical Studies uses it. The problem is not merely an issue of misusing of the term intertextuality. The misuse inserts a serious confusion into the practice of understanding how later biblical passages cite earlier biblical passages. Consider the following four problems. [Read more…] about Intertextuality And Its Problems
Books At a Glance recently published by review of Jonathan Edwards And the Psalms. In my review I conclude:
“Any serious student of Jonathan Edwards must read this study. Barshinger has rehabilitated Edwards’ reputation as a Biblical exegete. The Bible, not philosophy or theology, constitutes his focus. Barshinger illustrates this well by detailing Edwards’ engagement with the Psalms. Additionally, Edwards’ theology will interest pastors who too would like to interpret the Psalms within an historical-redemptive framework. I heartily recommend this work for those with the drive to read a dense, academic, and yet fruitful work on Jonathan Edwards and the Psalms.”
For the full review, click here.
Psalm 118 is one of the most important psalms for our understanding of the messiah, and it is one of the most cited Old Testament passages in the New Testament. Yet few people, I would imagine, know what Psalm 118 says or understand what it communicates about the messiah. It is a forgotten yet integral passage for Christian theology. Everyone knows the song: “Hosanna, Hosanna on the highest” or knows of Jesus as the cornerstone. But few know the source of these words or the theology behind these phrases, sourced in Psalm 118. As a small step to Psalm 118’s rehabilitation, I offer an overview of Psalm 118’s use in Mark’s Gospel.
Hyukjung Kwon identifies four instances where Mark references Psalm 118: Mark 8:31-33, Mark 11:1-11, Mark 12:1-12, and Mark 14:26 (2007: 119). When Mark quotes Psalm 118, he cites one of the many Greek translations that were available to him. I use the term LXX to refer to these old Greek translations of the Bible.* [Read more…] about Psalm 118 in Mark
The history of Christianity has favoured paedobaptism—that act of baptizing an infant who belongs to a Christian family. This doesn’t mean the earliest church always baptized their infants. During the fourth and fifth centuries, Christians would often wait to be baptized until later in life as fire insurance. Even Gregory of Nazianzus, known to the eastern church as “The Theologian” and framer of the language of the dual nature of Christ, was baptized late into his life. I would also suggest that the Didache a assumes credobaptist position—the act of baptizing someone on the confession of faith. In any case, the history of Christianity does not define dogma, though it definitely helps shapes it. The Bible alone is the final authority on such matters.
And I would argue that a prophecy of Jeremiah drives home the conclusion that the church should only baptize those who confess faith, which would not include infants. [Read more…] about Why I Wouldn’t Baptize Babies
A Song, a mizmor of David:
My heart stands firm, O God.
I will sing and will play music, indeed, to my glory!
Awake, o harp and lyre.
I will awaken the dawn!
I will praise you among the nations, Yahweh,
and I will make music among the peoples.
For your faithfulness is great—it goes above the heavens!
And your truthfulness goes above the sky!
Rise above the heavens, God,
and let your glory rise above all the earth!
So that your beloved ones will be saved;
Grant salvation by your right hand and answer me! [Read more…] about Psalm 108
