Weak Christian Women?

In 1 Peter 3:7, Peter says women are the "weaker vessel." Here's how the 2020 NASB translates it: "You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life...." There …

Christ’s Suffering, Our Suffering (Clowney)

 Peter knew well what it means that Jesus suffered.  Peter witnessed the sufferings of Christ and he knew that Jesus' suffering was redemptive.  You can read more about his teaching on suffering in his epistles, of course.  Peter also knew that our suffering as Christians is connected to Christ's suffering: "But rejoice inasmuch as you …

The Spirits in Prison? (Clowney)

 Sometimes when we get into the details of the exegesis, syntax, grammar, and interpretation of a passage we forget or miss the big picture.  I appreciate how Edmund Clowney discussed the "hard text" of 1 Peter 3:19-20 in such a way that he didn't forget the bigger picture of the surrounding context.  Here's what he …

Our Living Hope (Clowney)

Reading through Edmund Clowney's commentary on 1 Peter 1:3-5 this morning brought me to these excellent observations about Christian hope: Peter writes a letter of hope. The hope he proclaims is not what we call a ‘fond hope’. We cherish fond hopes because they are so fragile. We ‘hope against hope’ because we do not …

The Relationship between Systematic Theology and Practical Theology (Murray)

John Murray explained the relationship between systematic theology and practical theology so well in his charge to Edmund Clowney when Clowney was installed as professor of practical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary (1963). Here's what Murray said: Practical theology is principally systematic theology brought to practical expression and application. And this means the whole counsel …