Symbolic Language in Apocalyptic Texts – OT/NT (Dodd)

Although I don't agree with every angle and aspect of this book, I am enjoying it: According to the Scriptures by C. H. Dodd (published in 1952). In this book Dodd argues that the NT authors used the OT to prove the truths about Jesus and his kingdom. There's more to the discussion, to be…

Judgment According to Works?? (Vos)

The Bible teaches that sinful people cannot earn salvation or contribute to their salvation.  Justification and eternal life are free gifts of God received by faith alone in Christ alone (Rom 4:1-8, Gal. 2:15-16, Eph 2:8, etc.).  Or as the Heidelberg Catechism says, the good we do can't make us right or help make us…

How Paul Read and Interpreted Isaiah (Hays)

Richard Hays’ book, The Conversation of the Imagination, is a helpful resource for insight into how the apostle Paul viewed the Old Testament Scriptures. This book is a collection of essays that Hays wrote and published elsewhere; it’s nice to have it in one volume. There are ten chapters that cover topics like the role…

The Man of Lawlessness and the Rapture(?) in 2 Thess. 2:3 (Beale)

One of the more difficult NT passages that deals with eschatology is 2 Thessalonians 2:3-11. Of course Paul knew what he was talking about. The Christians in the Thessalonian church plant had heard Paul teach these things before so they knew what it meant (2:5). But we don't know exactly what Paul taught them when…

Waiting for Jesus’ Return (Calvin)

 The Christians from the church plant in Thessalonica didn't have perfectly orthodox views on eschatology (cf. 1 Thes. 4:13ff; 2 Thes. 2:1ff).  That's one reason Paul and his missionary team wrote them two letters soon after the church was planted.  But the Christians there in Thessalonica did get the basics of eschatology right.  When they…