Is Worry A Form Of Pride? An Exploration of 1 Peter 5:5–7
What are the signs and symptoms of pride? If you were to list the manifestations of pride, what traits would make the list? Until I carefully studied 1 Peter 5, I would not have associated worry with pride. It is easy to see the link between worry and unbelief, but how are worry and pride related?[1] The connection between the latter is not as intuitive as the former because worry tends to accompany a lack of confidence. Although...
Interpreting the Old Testament through the Lens of the New Testament: How Hebrews 3–4 Helps Us Understand Psalm 95
Hebrews 3:7–4:11 cannot be interpreted apart from an understanding of Psalm 95:7–11, but is it viable to interpret Psalm 95:7–11 through the lens of Hebrews 3–4? Some insist that the author of Hebrews is “guilty of forced exegesis” or “fanciful misapplication of Old Testament texts for Christian ears and eyes.”[1] Did the writer of Hebrews issue a “redefinition of God’s rest” from what was written in Psalm 95?[2] I argue that Hebrews...
Exposition and Exhortation: Pattern of Emphasizing Indicatives and Imperatives in Preaching in the Book of Hebrews
Preaching is central in God’s plan to save and transform lives (1 Cor. 1:21; 2 Tim. 4:2). All of God’s people should have great interest in preaching because it is one of the foremost means God has chosen to form them spiritually. In this article, I have two groups in mind. First, I am writing to preachers, the ones who have the privilege of preaching God’s Word to local churches. Second, I am writing to church members, the ones who...
Neglecting to Meet Together: The Vital Role of the Church in Perseverance
Recently, I was scrolling through social media when I noticed someone holding up a book I have read, benefited from, and even distributed to others. What struck me about this social media post was that it claimed the author of the book had quietly apostatized from Christianity. I was not aware of this downfall, and although the author has not made any public statements regarding his deconstruction or apostasy, I suspect it is true...
The Author of Hebrews and the Means of Motivation
The author of Hebrews has been referred to as “an expert in rhetoric and style,” a fitting description considering the many rhetorical devices employed throughout the book.[1] Although it is far beyond the scope of this essay to examine the author’s entire rhetorical approach thoroughly, it is helpful to explore some of the techniques he employed in the third warning passage (5:11–6:12). The focus on his rhetorical approach in the...
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