Journal of the GES – Spring 2019
The Confession of the Centurion in Luke 23:47
Kenneth W. Yates Editor I. INTRODUCTION In the Gospel of Luke, Luke tells us that when the centurion at the cross of Christ saw Jesus die, “he glorified God, saying, ‘Certainly this was a righteous man’” (Luke 23:47, NKJV). Both Matthew and Mark say that the centurion proclaimed that Jesus was “the Son of God”
Is the Concept of Repentance Found in John’s Gospel, and if so, What Difference Does It Make?
Robert N. Wilkin Executive Director Grace Evangelical Society Corinth, TX I. INTRODUCTION Over the past few years I have read articles and books by leading Evangelicals arguing that the concept of repentance is found in the Gospel of John. They have suggested it is a major error to conclude, as I and others have, that
A Review of Richard J. Foster’s Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth, Part 1
BRAD DOSKOCIL Chairman GES Board I. INTRODUCTION Richard J. Foster has written numerous books and is founder of Renovaré, a Christian non-profit organization dedicated to promoting spiritual formation through the use of spiritual disciplines. Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth1 was first published in 1978 with subsequent versions published in 1988, 1989, and
The Whirlpool’s Deadly Trap: Disenfranchising Jesus
Zane C. Hodges1 I. INTRODUCTION In his famous epic poem the Odyssey, Homer describes Odysseus’ danger-filled return from the Trojan War to his home in Ithaca. Among the legion of dangers he faced was the whirlpool called Charybdis. Odysseus was warned that his ship must pass between two great rocks no farther apart than a
“Abraham Rejoiced to See My Day and Saw It”: Jesus’ Take on Theophanies
Randy Rheaume1 Senior Pastor Stony Creek Church Utica, MI I. INTRODUCTION “Your father Abraham was overjoyed to see my day, and he saw it and was glad” (NET). Jesus’ intriguing words in John 8:56 have puzzled church fathers, scholars, and Bible readers of all kinds for centuries. Indeed, the crowd of Jesus’ original hearers was
Review of Craig L. Blomberg’s The Historical Reliability of John’s Gospel: Issues & Commentary
Edwin Ediger I. INTRODUCTION As Craig Blomberg notes, the content of John’s Gospel is distinctive, was likely written after the Synoptic Gospels, and has been used and misused through the centuries.1 Blomberg provides a helpful list of distinctives of John’s Gospel under five headings: 1) selection of material; 2) theological material, particularly the affirmation of
Colossians and Philemon
Colossians and Philemon. By G. K. Beale. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2019. 514 pp. Cloth, $54.99. This commentary is well laid out, making it easier to find the discussion of a particular verse. The publisher has put the start of a discussion of a new verse in the margin in bold font. So, the
A Victorian Dissenter: Robert Govett and the Doctrine of Millennial Reward
A Victorian Dissenter: Robert Govett and the Doctrine of Millennial Reward. By David E. Seip. Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications, 2018. 253 pp. Paper, $32.00. As the subtitle states, A Victorian Dissenter (AVD) is about Robert Govett (1813–1901), who lived in England during the Victorian Age. He was a dispensational dissenter against the Church of England.
Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God: The Scandalous Truth of the Very Good News
Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God: The Scandalous Truth of the Very Good News. By Brian Zahnd. Colorado Springs, CO: Waterbrook, 2017. 209 pp. Paper, $14.99. This book gives no indication of any theological education by Zahnd. A website search indicates that he is self-taught. Regardless of education, Zahnd is a very good
Seculosity: How Career, Parenting, Technology, Food, Politics, and Romance Became Our New Religion and What to Do About It
Seculosity: How Career, Parenting, Technology, Food, Politics, and Romance Became Our New Religion and What to Do About It. By David Zahl. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2019. 211 pp. Hardcover, $26.99. Every page of this book hit a nerve. David Zahl demonstrates how salvation by works has been rebranded and promoted by secular culture. To
The Created Cosmos: What the Bible Reveals About Astronomy
The Created Cosmos: What the Bible Reveals About Astronomy. By Danny R. Faulkner and Lee Anderson, Jr. Green Forest, AR: New Leaf Publishing, 2016. 352 pp. Hardcover, $19.99. As can be determined by the title, this book is heavy on apologetics. With degrees in physics and astronomy, Faulkner is a professor at the University of
Gospel Assurance & Warnings
Gospel Assurance & Warnings. By Paul Washer. Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2014. 252 pp. Paper, $20.00. Paul Washer has done lots of videos which are available online. He promotes a strong form of Lordship Salvation. This book has essentially the same title as a book I read years ago by Gerald Borchert (Assurance
Angels: What the Bible Really Says About God’s Heavenly Host
Angels: What the Bible Really Says About God’s Heavenly Host. By Michael S. Heiser. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2018. Hardcover, $19.99. In his book Angels, Michael Heiser says that there are many misunderstandings about angels due to Christian traditions and myths. He desires to speak about what the Bible says about angels. He does not