Apollinaris of Laodicea (d. 382) started out as a well-known opponent of Arianism. As time went on, his arguments for Christ’s full divinity fell into its own set of errors on at least three points. [Read more…] about Apollinaris of Laodicea: Why His Teaching on Christ was Condemned
Christology
Review of Union with the Resurrected Christ by GK Beale
GK Beale wrote Union with the Resurrected Christ as a sequel to his A New Testament Biblical Theology (NTBT). The sequel focuses on union with the resurrected Christ and how those united to the resurrected Christ receive his benefits. As Beale also makes clear, the resurrection and ascension of Jesus begin the fulfillment of the eschatological new-creational kingdom (1). [Read more…] about Review of Union with the Resurrected Christ by GK Beale
Jesus Became a Baby Because He Loves You
Why did the King of Glory become a baby? We can answer by saying “for his glory”! And we would be right to say so, but what does that even mean?
To start with, the word glory can sometimes describe doing good works. When a good deed is manifested in the world, we call it glorious. This is why all of God’s works are glorious, especially his creation of humans (Isa 42:7). The good works God does point back to the good Creator of all.
God also created humans for glory and honour. David says, God “crowned [humans] with glory and honor” (Ps 8:5). Paul even tells us to pursue glory and honour (Rom 2:7). While sin for a little while decrowned us of our glory, Jesus became human to bring “many sons to glory” (Heb 2:10, 14).
In summary, God created us for his glory, he crowned us with glory that we for a little while lost by sin, and Jesus restored that glory to us when he came into the world. Glory seems like a good answer for why Jesus was born, but I would say it is not a full answer.
A more complete answer includes the biblical truth that Jesus became a baby because he loves you. And this work of love is glorious. [Read more…] about Jesus Became a Baby Because He Loves You
Episode 23: Steve Wellum on Christ and the Cross
In this episode, Steve Wellum and Wyatt Graham talk about Christ and the cross. I hope you enjoy the conversation.
Make sure to subscribe to the podcast on Spotify and/or Apple Podcasts. Also, see the host page at Anchor and the Youtube page. And bookmark this page to see every episode. [Read more…] about Episode 23: Steve Wellum on Christ and the Cross
Hebrews 3:1–6 Is Surprisingly Hard to Understand
Hebrews 3:1–6 is one of the most difficult passages that I have studied. Having worked to understand the passage (at least partially), I would love to share what I learned. Normally, online writing does not lend itself to the commentary genre.
In this case, it might work because Hebrews 3:1–6 almost cries out for comment due to its dense, deep, and difficult nature. [Read more…] about Hebrews 3:1–6 Is Surprisingly Hard to Understand
The Literal Sense Is the Christological Sense
In the NT, Hebrews is the only book that demonstrates a dedicated exposition of Scripture (the OT). Paul exegetes in letters; Acts records snippets; only Hebrews gives us a fulsome example.
Significantly, then, Hebrews should at the very least provide us with an elementary hermeneutical perspective and reservoir of exegetical techniques to both grasp the Scriptures and to use them for moral and spiritual edification.
Here is one such example that I find significant, though many could be given.
[Read more…] about The Literal Sense Is the Christological Sense