And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, [Jesus] explained to them what
was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.…
Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.
They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us
on the road andthe Scriptures to us?” …
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.…
Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.
They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us
on the road andthe Scriptures to us?” …
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
~ Luke 24.27, 31-32, 45 NIV
Expository preaching is the communication of a biblical concept, derived from and transmitted through a historical, grammatical, and literary study of a passage in its context, which the Holy Spirit first applies to the personality and experience of the preacher, then through him to his hearers.” ~ Haddon W. Robinson, Biblical Preaching: The Development and Delivery of Expository Messages, 20
I once heard a preacher addressing an assembly of 6th-12th graders refer to the meals his mother prepared for him from birth until he left home to illustrate the benefit of hearing so many Bible lessons over our lifetimes. He noted that, while he could remember only a few specific meals out of the thousands she prepared, all of them were important for his growth.
Although not the only way to study the Bible, exposition of the Scriptures is helpful for nurturing comparable long-term spiritual growth. As we work consecutively through a Bible book or section of text, deriving our direction from exegesis of the ideas presented in each text, we are led to think about and be convicted by truths we might not otherwise consider. And as we explore more of the biblical documents over time, the benefits accumulate to increase our growth in grace and knowledge (cf. 2 Peter 3:18).
Because the expositions presented here are essays, their format and length are necessarily different from oral presentations. But, also because they are written, they can potentially have a cumulative effect that differs from oral proclamations in the accumulation of separate studies over time and in the fact that they can be revisited and studied again.
My hope for Opening the Scriptures is that over time these smaller portions will become a helpful collection of background studies and explanations that will lead to better understanding and practice of the Bible's teachings.
Look for new issues twice a month from January through October and once a month in November & December. Each single-article issue will take about 5-8 minutes to read (based on average reading time).
Although not the only way to study the Bible, exposition of the Scriptures is helpful for nurturing comparable long-term spiritual growth. As we work consecutively through a Bible book or section of text, deriving our direction from exegesis of the ideas presented in each text, we are led to think about and be convicted by truths we might not otherwise consider. And as we explore more of the biblical documents over time, the benefits accumulate to increase our growth in grace and knowledge (cf. 2 Peter 3:18).
Because the expositions presented here are essays, their format and length are necessarily different from oral presentations. But, also because they are written, they can potentially have a cumulative effect that differs from oral proclamations in the accumulation of separate studies over time and in the fact that they can be revisited and studied again.
My hope for Opening the Scriptures is that over time these smaller portions will become a helpful collection of background studies and explanations that will lead to better understanding and practice of the Bible's teachings.
Look for new issues twice a month from January through October and once a month in November & December. Each single-article issue will take about 5-8 minutes to read (based on average reading time).
Issue 1/1 - May 16, 2023 - James: Urgent and Uncompromising - While serving as the pulpit preacher for a church in Memphis, Tennessee, I was invited to teach a short class series on the letter of James at an event in Nashville. Since my wife had grown up in the area, we arranged to have dinner with the family of a woman she had known all her life. When our hostess learned my subject, she said, “Oh, I just love the book of James!” Carlynn’s emphatic reply surprised her: “I don’t!” . . . (click title above to continue)
Issue 1/2 - May 30, 2023 - Background: Deciding for God (1), The Theology of James - According to John Neuhaus, H. Richard Niebuhr once gave a “withering analysis of the gospel of liberal Christianity. He said it depicts a god that without wrath ‘brought men without sin, into a kingdom without judgment, through the ministrations of a Christ without a Cross’” (Neuhaus 2011, 115).… (click title above to continue)
Issue 1/3 - June 13, 2023 - Background: Deciding for God (2), The Theology of James - Why did James write his letter? Unlike Paul’s declaration in Romans 1.16-17, there is no statement we can identify as a thesis. At first blush, we get the sense that the letter is simply a collected series of meditations (or homilies) on various subjects in response to his readers’ life experiences and behavior.… (click title above to continue)
Issue 1/4 - June 27, 2023 - Who Was James? - The letter we are studying begins simply: “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (Jas 1.1). The lack of elaboration suggests that whoever James was, he was well known to his readers and confident in his standing. We may compare his self-identification with Jude who used James’s name in his greeting in an apparent effort to authenticate his authority (Jude 1).… (click title above to continue)
Issue 1/5 - July 11, 2023 - A Humble Servant - In an article on why so many young people are leaving the Christian faith, Drew Dyck included the explanation given by one young man to justify his departure to Wicca. "Ultimately why I left is that the Christian God demands that you submit to his will. In Wicca, it’s just the other way around. Your will is paramount. We believe in gods and goddesses, but the deities we choose to serve are based on our wills." In a world of double-speak and excuses, his candor is refreshing. And his assessment of what “the Christian God demands” is correct. Christian faith does call for submission to God’s will. Jesus said as much … (click title above to continue)
Issue 1/6 - July 25, 2023 - The Structure of James - I enjoy and follow some of our nation’s major sports, but typically watch very little, if any, of the pre-game shows for their championship events. Because I keep up with them as their seasons progress, I don’t feel the need to watch the extended programming to gain the perspective the productions purport to give; my sustained interest equips me with the essential context I need to knowledgably watch the big games.… (click title above to continue)
Issue 1/7 - August 8, 2023 - Background: Thematic Cohesiveness in James 1 - As previously noted, at first glance, James 1.2-27 appears to be a random collection of short reflections on multiple topics. But when we read the chapter more closely, we notice repetitions that indicate the different sections are connected.… (click title above to continue)
Issue 1/8 - August 22, 2023 - Is He Serious!? - On October 2, 2006, Charles Roberts took over the one-room Amish schoolhouse in West Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania. After releasing the teacher, other adults, and male students, he took hostage ten females from ages six to thirteen. Shortly after the police arrived, Roberts shot the girls, killing five of them, and then took his own life. After the preliminary reports on the horror of the event, many turned their attention to the reaction of the Amish community.… (click title above to continue)
Issue 1/9 - September 12, 2023 - The Basis of Steadfastness - As we think about how James connects steadfast faith to perfection and completeness (1.2-4), we wonder what it should look like. Is it something we can exhibit from the beginning of our Christian walk, or does it develop over time? Is there room in steadfastness for failures? For hard questions? For occasionally wondering what God is doing in our lives and why? Are we still being steadfast when, despite our fierce determination to do right, we keep struggling with the same sins? It would help to have an example of steadfast faith, wouldn’t it? … (click title above to continue)
Issue 1/2 - May 30, 2023 - Background: Deciding for God (1), The Theology of James - According to John Neuhaus, H. Richard Niebuhr once gave a “withering analysis of the gospel of liberal Christianity. He said it depicts a god that without wrath ‘brought men without sin, into a kingdom without judgment, through the ministrations of a Christ without a Cross’” (Neuhaus 2011, 115).… (click title above to continue)
Issue 1/3 - June 13, 2023 - Background: Deciding for God (2), The Theology of James - Why did James write his letter? Unlike Paul’s declaration in Romans 1.16-17, there is no statement we can identify as a thesis. At first blush, we get the sense that the letter is simply a collected series of meditations (or homilies) on various subjects in response to his readers’ life experiences and behavior.… (click title above to continue)
Issue 1/4 - June 27, 2023 - Who Was James? - The letter we are studying begins simply: “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (Jas 1.1). The lack of elaboration suggests that whoever James was, he was well known to his readers and confident in his standing. We may compare his self-identification with Jude who used James’s name in his greeting in an apparent effort to authenticate his authority (Jude 1).… (click title above to continue)
Issue 1/5 - July 11, 2023 - A Humble Servant - In an article on why so many young people are leaving the Christian faith, Drew Dyck included the explanation given by one young man to justify his departure to Wicca. "Ultimately why I left is that the Christian God demands that you submit to his will. In Wicca, it’s just the other way around. Your will is paramount. We believe in gods and goddesses, but the deities we choose to serve are based on our wills." In a world of double-speak and excuses, his candor is refreshing. And his assessment of what “the Christian God demands” is correct. Christian faith does call for submission to God’s will. Jesus said as much … (click title above to continue)
Issue 1/6 - July 25, 2023 - The Structure of James - I enjoy and follow some of our nation’s major sports, but typically watch very little, if any, of the pre-game shows for their championship events. Because I keep up with them as their seasons progress, I don’t feel the need to watch the extended programming to gain the perspective the productions purport to give; my sustained interest equips me with the essential context I need to knowledgably watch the big games.… (click title above to continue)
Issue 1/7 - August 8, 2023 - Background: Thematic Cohesiveness in James 1 - As previously noted, at first glance, James 1.2-27 appears to be a random collection of short reflections on multiple topics. But when we read the chapter more closely, we notice repetitions that indicate the different sections are connected.… (click title above to continue)
Issue 1/8 - August 22, 2023 - Is He Serious!? - On October 2, 2006, Charles Roberts took over the one-room Amish schoolhouse in West Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania. After releasing the teacher, other adults, and male students, he took hostage ten females from ages six to thirteen. Shortly after the police arrived, Roberts shot the girls, killing five of them, and then took his own life. After the preliminary reports on the horror of the event, many turned their attention to the reaction of the Amish community.… (click title above to continue)
Issue 1/9 - September 12, 2023 - The Basis of Steadfastness - As we think about how James connects steadfast faith to perfection and completeness (1.2-4), we wonder what it should look like. Is it something we can exhibit from the beginning of our Christian walk, or does it develop over time? Is there room in steadfastness for failures? For hard questions? For occasionally wondering what God is doing in our lives and why? Are we still being steadfast when, despite our fierce determination to do right, we keep struggling with the same sins? It would help to have an example of steadfast faith, wouldn’t it? … (click title above to continue)