Articles

When I was learning how to type on a typewriter—yes, I am that old!—we would practice typing a particular sentence over and over again to increase speed and accuracy. Unlike

“Southwesterner.” The title, bestowed by the president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary upon every new student during their inaugural convocation since the days of Robert E. Naylor, our fifth president,

It is that time of year again! Roses, chocolates, cards, and tiny pink sugar hearts will be purchased by the gazillions in the upcoming days and given to our loved

As a Black Christian individual born in the 1980s, I observed that Black history was relegated to a single month. While I acknowledged the intention behind dedicating a month to

When I arrived at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS) in the fall of 1990, I anticipated learning about theology, Greek, and best practices for church leadership. What came as a

When I began my doctoral studies at Southwestern Seminary, I was after a degree. I came for the development of skills and the credentials that would be needed to teach

From time to time, I like to ask my fellow worship ministers: Why do people come to church? Why do your church members gather for worship each week? I get

Originally published January 10, 2020. Are the categories of transcendence and immanence important considerations for worship planning and design?  The answer is a resounding yes.  Not only are they important,

What are we really doing when we gather for corporate worship each week? For some today, the main purpose for which we gather is evangelism; every service is designed to

Luke beautifully weaves four hope-filled canticles (songs) into his first two chapters: Mary’s praise (Magnificat 1:46-55), Zechariah’s Prophecy (Benedictus 1:67-79), the Angels’ song (Gloria in Excelsis Deo 2:14), and Simeon’s

Why do we sing hymns in Christian worship? Is the singing of hymns optional? Is it something churches do simply because it is an enjoyable to affirm biblical truth that

Automatic doors, elevators, ramps, and even hearing loops have become common in public buildings in the United States. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has created and is still creating

The Destruction of the Canaanites: God, Genocide, and Biblical Interpretation. By Charlie Trimm. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2022, 127 pp., $14.99.  Trimm has provided a balanced and

By H. H. Hardy II and M. Daniel Carroll R. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2024, 512 pp., $44.99. The State of Old Testament Studies has taken its inspiration from the

In this commentary, Gary Burge takes the reader on a journey through Galatians and Ephesians with constant reference to the Old Testament. He brings into the conversation numerous Old Testament

In the previous issue published this calendar year we noted, “2025 is a most significant year of anniversaries for Christians more broadly, for Baptists generally, and for Southern Baptists in

By Miguel G. Echevarría. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2024, 240 pp., $17.49. Miguel Echevarría’s Engaging the New Testament offers a fresh approach to New Testament introductions. Rather than emphasizing traditional

The creedal achievement of Nicaea has been challenged by liberal scholars who deem the key term, homoousios, both unnecessary and contradictory.1 Challenges, alas, come not only from the left. Polls

Five years ago, my wife and I stepped out in faith to plant Living Water Church in Gladewater, Texas. Right around that same time I finished my DMin in Preaching

After more than 40 years in Jewish ministry, both in Israel and in the US, and having recently published a study of the messianic offices of Prophet, Priest, and King,1 I

In an era dominated by podcasts, TED Talks, and viral sermons, preaching often gets reduced to a set of techniques: How do I craft a killer outline? How do I keep

Session notes and recordings for the 2025 Effective Preaching Workshop are available here:

This is a prophetic book that does not actually contain a prophecy that God has given to be revealed to his people. It is instead a personal dialogue between Yahweh

Introduction    1:1 Superscription    1:2-5 reaffirmation/proclamation of divine love for Israel    1:6-2:9 denunciation of priestly laxity    2:10-16 mixed marriage and divorce    2:17-3:6 prophecy of God coming in judgment    3:7-12 indifference/distress traced