There are bad reasons to turn to other writers beside the Bible. And there are good ones… The best writers intensify our taste for the Bible, and especially for God himself.

Taste and See is a devotional work designed to guide its readers in meditative, Scripture-based reflection on living a Godward life. John Piper walks readers through various aspects of biblical reality and contemporary life, encouraging believers to think deeply and spiritually about the world around them.

So far, I have found this book to be enlightening and challenging. It is enlightening in the way that it makes me think about specific circumstances and situations through the lens of Scripture in ways I haven’t before. It also challenged me to spend more time thinking about the everyday details of my life in light of theological truths.

This is the first time I requested a review copy be sent in a digital format, and I think that worked well for Taste and See.1 I was able to download it on one of my eBook devices and took some time in the evenings to read a reflection or two before bed. And, when I was out running errands or had a few moments to kill, I was able to open it on the Kindle app on my phone to quickly skim a chapter (each chapter is only a few pages long).

If you are looking for a new devotional work to work through, or if you are struggling to connect everyday events to the truths of Scripture, I highly recommend Taste and See to you. It is an excellent choice for learning how to regularly meditate on the truths of God and how they apply to your life.

Thank you to Crossway for sending me this book to review. If you would like to check out my other reviews, click the button below.

My Reviews

Soli Deo Gloria,

Caleb Friske

The following is my review of this practical work on the life and work of the preacher.

Written by Mike Bullmore, a former pastor who currently spends his time training the next generation of pastors, The Heart of Preaching is a very practical book that covers almost every aspect of the life and work of the preacher, particularly with a focus on the centrality of the gospel. I found it to be incredibly helpful and a good reminder of a great many things.

The Heart of Preaching opens with an introductory chapter exploring the functional centrality of the gospel. It discusses how the gospel is the foundation for faithful preaching.

The rest of the book is divided into three parts. Part one focuses on the preacher himself. It discusses some of the greatest heart challenges in preaching, the preacher’s character, and how to stay faithful and persevere in ministry. Part two addresses the work of preaching, defining expositional preaching and diving into weekly sermon preparation, sermonic argument, application, how to preach Christ, and a few matters of delivery. Part three zooms out to look at the preaching life, providing helpful direction in the areas of long-range sermon planning and training up the next generation. Mike Bullmore concludes that section with seven things he has learned about preaching and then offers a brief exposition of John 21.

I appreciated the breadth of content the author covered in this book. It doesn’t spend much time in any one area (so there are certainly books that go a little deeper into the life of the preacher, application, sermon delivery, etc.), but it provides practical advice in each chapter and offers a helpful overview of the work of preaching. I also appreciated how the author outlined each chapter. The author provided a helpful roadmap at the start of each, proceeded through that chapter’s topic in an orderly fashion, and wrapped up with a helpful conclusion. This made the book easy to read and, I’m sure, will make it a helpful reference for years to come.

If you are a pastor or training for preaching ministry, I highly recommend this book to you. It is an incredibly practical work that provides some important foundational information for those who are just starting and good reminders or suggestions for those who have been in the ministry for a while. It also provides a helpful framework for keeping the gospel central in your life and ministry.

Thank you for reading my review, and thank you to Crossway for sending this book to me. If you found this post helpful, be sure to share it with someone else.

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Soli Deo Gloria,

Caleb Friske

This edition of the New Testament contains the Greek text produced at Tyndale House, Cambridge. The Tyndale House Greek New Testament is a fairly new edition of the Greek text. It was released on November 15, 2017, is based on the latest scholarship, and is rooted in some of the oldest and most reliable Greek manuscripts. A year after its initial publication, a reader’s edition was released. Then, in November 2023, Crossway published a reader’s edition with some additional unique features: The Greek New Testament, Guided Annotating Edition.

This New Testament came out when I was in my last semester of Greek in seminary. In fact, I picked up the ebook edition and used it quite a bit that year. So, when the time came to choose my review copy for this month, I leapt at the opportunity to select this one.

Last week, I used this New Testament to study in the book of 1 Thessalonians. Some other men in our church and I are currently preaching through that book (check out this link for that series), and I wanted to test out how this annotating edition would fit into my sermon preparation process. The pictures below are of some of the unique features that I found helpful as I studied.

Unique Features

At the start of each book, there is some introductory material. First, there is a list of significant vocabulary. This highlights some important words as you prepare to study the Greek text.

Next, a reading guide is provided. This section contains some helpful observations to keep in mind as you read through the text. The introduction for 1 Thessalonians notes the repeated eschatological statements throughout the book, as well as the first-person plural language used. After the reading guide, the introduction concludes by comparing the Tyndale House text to the Nestle-Aland edition (another standard edition of the Greek New Testament).

The Greek New Testament, Guided Annotating Edition is a reader’s edition of Greek, meaning it includes the definitions of infrequently used words at the bottom of each page. I appreciate reader’s editions, so I’m a fan of this feature. The margins are also larger than a normal Greek New Testament, so there’s plenty of space for notes. I’m not entirely sure about this, but it seems as though the line spacing is also larger than in normal editions, meaning there is more space around the words themselves for taking notes.

Overall, this is a very helpful and unique edition of the Greek New Testament.

Who is this for?

There are a few types of individuals who I believe would find The Greek New Testament, Guided Annotating Edition helpful:

1. Seminary Students: If you are a student in seminary, you will likely find this New Testament to be quite helpful. This is especially true if you have taken Greek or will soon. Additionally, it would be a great tool for classes that focus on particular New Testament books.

2. Pastors: If you are a pastor (and hopefully you have received or sought out training in the biblical languages), this edition of the Greek would be a helpful tool for you as you preach through the New Testament.

3. Students of the Greek language: Perhaps you are not a seminary student or a pastor, but you have studied Greek and are looking for a new resource to add to your library. This edition would provide a unique Greek text that can benefit you as you read and study.

I pray that this review was helpful to you. If you enjoyed it, click the button below to share it with others.

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Soli Deo Gloria,

Caleb Friske

What is this?

This is the second edition of Tim Chester’s book You Can Change, which was originally released in 2010. This edition is a refined and expanded version of the original. Chester removed parts that he no longer found helpful and expanded certain aspects of each chapter, all while maintaining the original ten-chapter structure. Alongside this second edition, a ten-week devotional has also been published by InterVarsity Press: You Can Change (Devotional): 10 Weeks of God’s Transforming Power.

You Can Change explores sanctification, the lifelong process of removing sin and growing in Christlikeness. It is incredibly practical and walks believers through their own “change project.” The reader is guided along as they identify what they want to change (ch. 1), why they want to change (ch. 2), and how they are going to change (ch. 3). It raises questions such as: when do you struggle (ch. 4), what truths do you need to turn to (ch. 5), and what desires do you need to turn from (ch. 6). It then encourages people to think through what stops them from changing (ch. 7), how they will reinforce their faith and repentance (ch. 8), how they can support one another through change (ch. 9), and whether you are truly ready for a lifetime of daily change (ch. 10).

The content of the book itself is practical, helpful, and accessible. Additionally, each chapter ends with two reflection questions and various questions or “homework assignments” for the “change project” you are working on. You Can Change helps believers identify and address the struggles in their lives.

On a personal note, I found this book to be very refreshing. In undergrad, my minor was biblical counseling, and I went on to get a master’s degree in biblical counseling as well. I have read many counseling books that address various aspects of sanctification. While I greatly appreciate and benefit from those resources, they can be demanding at times. Many of the books I have read on Christian growth require a certain level of familiarity with certain key ideas or terminology. That’s not a bad thing in the slightest, but it is very refreshing to read a book like You Can Change that is so practical and down to earth.

Who is this for?

• Those who need help: First and foremost, this is a book for those who need help—for those who want to change. Tim Chester wrote this book out of his own struggle to change. He experienced the work that God can do in growing believers, and he wanted to help others experience that as well. If you are struggling and need change, this book is for you.

• Those who help others: This is also a helpful resource for those who seek to help others change. Whether you are a pastor, counselor, or mature believer, You Can Change can be a helpful resource for you to work through with another believer.

Thank you to Crossway for sending this book my way. If you are interested in reading my other reviews, click the link below.

Reviews

Soli Deo Gloria,

Caleb Friske

As I mentioned, this book is part of Crossway’s Preaching the Word series. I was already familiar with this series when I read through 1 Corinthians: The Word of the Cross for a recent class. This commentary series isn’t what you would think of as a typical commentary set. Many commentaries go verse-by-verse and seek to address each and every question about the text. These are what you might refer to as exegetical commentaries. They tend to be very academic and, at times, a bit dry. The Minor Prophets: Seek the Lord and Live is an expository commentary. Now, it is a faithful book written by faithful men who seek to explain the text, but the main point of an expository commentary like this is to not just explain, but to help its audience apply the text in their lives. Think about it this way: if an exegetical commentary is 80% explanation and 20% practical application, an expository commentary may be 60% practical application and 40% explanation. It’s all a question of emphasis.

Since The Minor Prophets is an expository commentary, it is extremely practical and approachable. Reading through this volume is like reading through a set of sermons, because it is. These written sermons explain the text, connect it to the larger context of Scripture (especially Christ’s work on the cross), and provide applications and implications for the Christian life. It does so throughout the minor prophets: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.

So, who is this book for? There are a few groups that I believe could benefit from this book and series as a whole:

• First and foremost, this is a book written by pastors for pastors. The Preaching the Word series helps those preaching the Word explain and apply the text. It demonstrates faithful exegesis and application. One helpful feature is the way the book is outlined, as it breaks the text into manageable chunks for a sermon series. Additionally, there is an index of illustrations that one might find helpful. So, if you will be preaching through the Minor Prophets soon, make sure to check out this book.

• This book will also be helpful for students of the Word, especially those who already have a good theological library. If you already have a trusted set of exegetical commentaries, I would highly recommend looking into the Preaching the Word series.

• Finally, this book is excellent for anyone wanting to learn more about the Bible. While exegetical commentaries are kind of the best when it comes to diving deep into Scripture, they can be challenging to read and navigate. The Minor Prophets and the Preaching the Word series are a great way to start getting into deeper personal study of God’s Word. Essentially, you would be reading sermons, just like the ones you hear on Sunday. So, if you want to take another step in your knowledge of Scripture, give the Preaching the Word series a try.

I pray this review has been a blessing to you. If you are interested in this volume from Crossway, click the link to be taken to their website: The Minor Prophets: Seek the Lord and Live.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Caleb Friske

A lot of this has come down to the busyness of life (I posted about a few of the things I became involved in toward the end of 2025 here). My wife and I are also expecting a baby soon (yay), for those of you who don’t know. His due date is next week, so we’re hoping he shows up soon (he’s taking his sweet time, of course).

So since some of my other posts have been delayed, I wanted to send out something I wrote for one of my seminary courses. This semester, I get to learn about the history of Christianity. At the beginning of this course, I wrote up a little something about God’s hand of providence as seen throughout church history.

Enjoy!

God’s Providence

I always enjoy studying in the early church era. It is neat to see how the church began and spread. I am inspired by early believers’ faith and courage, even in the face of persecution. I also find it interesting to see how many culturally acceptable sins are similar between our culture and that of the early church (there’s nothing new under the sun, after all). Above all, I am amazed at how God orchestrated things “in the fullness of time” to promote the growth and spread of the church.

You see God’s sovereign hand throughout history. This is especially clear in Scripture’s historical accounts. I have been taking Exposition of Historical Books this semester, and God’s providence is abundantly clear. Even in Judges/Ruth (which is my book project), you see God guiding events and people according to his sovereign will.

This gracious providence is clear throughout the history of Christianity as well. I think it is most evident in the beginning of Christianity. The textbook brought up how the Septuagint helped contribute to Christianity’s spread. The common language was Greek, so having a copy of the Old Testament in a language that most could understand shows God’s hand in history.

The political unity of Rome also helped. Since most of the known world was governed by one nation, believers didn’t need to worry about travelling through conflict zones as they took the gospel to the ends of the earth. The shared laws, road system, and postal system also contributed to the spread. Again, God’s hand is manifest.

The course note’s analysis of the economic conditions of the time was quite enlightening. As God ordained it, most people were quite poor during Christ’s life and the early days of the church. During the faith’s initial spread, this doubtless contributed to many becoming curious and being drawn to Christianity.

During the beginning of Christianity, moral depravity and religious syncretism were widespread. So, while many conditions were favorable to Christianity, there were forces that stood against it. Christianity stood out as a light in those dark times. Additionally, when opposing forces brought persecution, believers were driven to new places, taking the gospel with them. So, even when situations were specifically “against” Christianity and the gospel, God worked through them to actually benefit the spread of the good news.

Our God is amazing. Throughout history we see his gracious providence guiding events and people. I look forward to learning more about how he worked through the history of Christianity.

Grace & Peace,

Caleb Friske

So, what do I like about O Sacred Head, Now Wounded? Well, as with virtually anything Crossway publishes, this book is absolutely gorgeous. It comes in a helpful slipcase that protects the book itself and looks great on display. The cover is cloth over board (which Crossway does really well) and features a symbol of the cross and crown of thorns (reminding us of the point of the Lenten season). The text is laid out well, and I love what they did with the inside cover.

Beyond just the looks, O Sacred Head Now Wounded contains some incredibly helpful content. Jonathan Gibson begins this work with an introduction to the book itself as well as the Lenten season as a whole. He reminds us of the biblical importance of remembering Jesus and how recognizing a time like Lent can help us accomplish that. He then provides an overview of the format for the daily worship that follows.

The second part of the book contains the 48 days of liturgy. Each day, the reader is guided through a meditation from church history, a call to worship, a psalm or hymn of adoration, a reading of the law, a prayer of confession, an assurance of pardon, a historic creed, a song of praise, a select catechism question, a prayer of illumination, Scripture reading, prayers of reflection and intercession, the Lord’s Prayer, and a closing benediction and doxology. This guide for daily worship provides plenty of biblical material to meditate and reflect on (which is the whole point of the Lenten season, after all).

The book closes with some appendices. There is a list of tunes for the hymns and psalms contained throughout the daily worship. There is also a Bible reading plan that contains 48 days of reading. Finally, an index is included that discusses the authors, hymns, and liturgies contained throughout this book.

Is there anything I don’t like about O Sacred Head, Now Wounded? Not really. There are a few things that I would like to mention here, however.

• First, the daily worship sections are quite long. The first 42 days range from 7 to 8 pages long, while the readings for Holy Week itself can be 10 pages. This isn’t a problem with the book. After all, Lent is all about giving up certain things so that we can devote greater time and attention to spiritual development as we celebrate the resurrection of our Savior. However, it is something to keep in mind when picking up this volume. If you are not used to having daily worship time, it might be best to start small. Perhaps choose certain parts of each day to do and work up to incorporating all the readings (this may be especially important to do if you have smaller children and want to use these readings for family worship).

• Second, I find it interesting that Crossway included three ribbons on O Sacred Head, Now Wounded. Again, this isn’t a problem or criticism; I just find it interesting. Unless you want to keep one ribbon where the format is explained, one on the current day, and the final ribbon in one of the appendices, you really only need one ribbon. Maybe the point was to have a ribbon for each of those sections. Regardless, this is still a beautiful book, and the ribbons contribute to both the aesthetics and function of this volume.

I pray this review was a blessing to you. If you would like to order a copy of O Sacred Head, Now Wounded: A Liturgy for Daily Worship from Pascha to Pentecost, make sure to check out Crossway’s website.

Crossway

While this copy arrived a bit too late for me to use it for the whole season of Lent, I am planning to do the daily worship sections for Holy Week. Subscribe to hear more about that later on.

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Soli Deo Gloria,

Caleb Friske

1 Corinthians 16

Most of 1 Corinthians is spent dealing with the various issues in the church. After having spent so much time hearing about all the problems, the final chapter of this letter comes as a breath of fresh air. In it, Paul gets personal and provides some final instructions, his plans for future travel, and a closing greeting.

• First, he reminds the Corinthians to keep up with the collection for the saints (1 Cor. 16:1–4). The saints in Jerusalem were suffering, so Paul encouraged the believers to set aside some money when they gathered each week so that he could collect it when he was able to visit them.

• Next, he expressed his desire to visit Corinth, if the Lord would allow (1 Cor. 16:5–9). He also instructed them to treat Timothy kindly when he visited, most likely carrying this very letter (1 Cor. 16:10–11).

• Paul gives the Corinthians some final instructions (1 Cor. 16:12–18). He wants them to stand firm in the faith, act in love, and be subject to those who lead them.

• Finally, Paul offered greetings to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 16:19–24). He included some other churches and believers in this as well.

Highlights

There’s so much that could be covered in this section, so I’ll try to stay focused on the big takeaways for me.

• Going all the way back to the beginning, I am again struck by some of the similarities between our culture and the culture of Corinth. It seems like a lot of nasty, awful stuff has been revealed in the last several months. Even in areas where the evil is different, it still has the root of sin.

• I am also reminded of how Paul consistently goes back to the gospel for solutions. Rather than trying to come up with novel ideas of how to solve issues, he returns to the cross. In our sin-filled world, that’s what people need.

• Division in the church is a serious issue. There were a lot of problems to address, yet Paul decided to open with that one. The gospel ought to unite believers, so it is horrible when division occurs, especially when it is over minor things.

• Regardless of what state we are in (particularly in regard to marriage and singleness in this context), we ought to strive for contentment. We may not be in a situation that we like. Maybe we wish life was just better. While it is appropriate to lament at times, we also need to honor and live in light of God’s sovereignty.

• God alone knows all and guides our every step. When we find ourselves in difficult or undesirable circumstances, we should take that opportunity to learn to trust in and cling to him all the more.

• Our church celebrates the Lord’s Supper every week. I have found this rhythm to be such a blessing. There are times, however, when it can be easy to fall into a rut.

• Paul’s discussion of the Lord’s Supper in 1 Corinthians is such an excellent reminder of its importance and how we must take it seriously. When we celebrate it, we honor the Lord’s death until he comes.

• Life is hard. I think we’re all feeling that right now. But this world is not the end. Jesus died and was buried, but he also rose again. And our Lord is the firstfruits of those to come. One day, those who have died in Christ will rise, and we will be with him forever.

• This world is not our home, so be steadfast, brothers and sisters.

I pray this post and series has been a blessing to you. If it has, please share this post with a friend.

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Until next time.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Caleb Friske

Back in November, I wrote about the season of Advent. That season covers the four Sundays leading up to Christmas and seeks to prepare our minds and hearts for celebrating the birth of our Savior.

In December, I wrote about Epiphany. Epiphany takes place after the 12 days of Christmas (yes, the 12 days take place after December 25, not before) and focuses on Christ's manifestation to the world, and especially to the Gentiles.

These are precious times of celebration of the arrival of our Savior. Advent and Epiphany are events that can help keep us focused on Christ’s life and ministry.

The season of Lent can play a similar role. The tradition of Lent was established fairly early on in the life of the church. During the second century, it was a fast that lasted three days in anticipation of Easter. By the fourth century, it was established as a forty-day fast in honor of Christ’s temptation in the wilderness.

Over the centuries, the fasting aspect has become more relaxed (although some still fast during this time). Instead, many set aside certain things in order to dedicate more time and energy to spiritual exercises and devotion. This may involve certain types of food, coffee, video games, and/or television.

Personally, I will be setting aside solo video gaming during this time. In recent years, I have really come to enjoy certain video games (lately I have been hooked on Elite Dangerous and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle). While I enjoy it and it helps me relax, gaming can certainly take up too much time in my life. So, during Lent, I’ve stored all my gaming devices away and deleted gaming apps from my phone. Instead of spending time on video games, I will seek to dedicate this season to increased spiritual reflection and devotion.

During Advent and Epiphany, I had set reading plans, but that won’t be the case this year for Lent. Instead, I will add more time to my Bible reading and dedicate a set time for prayer. My prayer is that this increased reflection and meditation will prepare my heart to celebrate Easter and the resurrection of our Savior.

For those of you who will be celebrating Lent but want a more specific guide for this season, I recommend Journey to the Cross: A 40-Day Lenten Devotional. My wife and I used this book by Paul David Tripp last year during the Lenten season and found it to be quite helpful. Another good resource to check out is O Sacred Head, Now Wounded: A Liturgy for Daily Worship from Pascha to Pentecost. I actually have a review copy of this book on the way from Crossway, so subscribe to receive my upcoming review.

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Whether or not you celebrate Lent, I hope that you will take time leading up to Easter to reflect and meditate deeply on the gracious work of our Savior.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Caleb Friske

To say that the Corinthians had some issues would be an understatement. Paul's letters to them are quite famous for how many problems he has to address. I'm sure you've seen the memes on social media about the letters to the Corinthians (I've included one below for the LOLs).

As we’ve seen throughout the book, Paul routinely goes back to the gospel to find answers to these problems. In verses 1–11 of this chapter, he outlines the gospel. Here is the good news he presented to the Corinthians:

• Christ died for our sins (in accordance with the Scriptures)

• He was buried

• He was raised on the third day (in accordance with the Scriptures)

• He appeared to over five hundred eye-witnesses who confirmed the resurrection

This gospel message, this good news of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, all confirmed by eyewitnesses, is what Paul preached to the Corinthians. This message of grace and salvation ought to have been the motivating foundation for everything the Corinthians believed and did. So, Paul applies the gospel to a tenth and final problem in his letter to the Corinthians.

Problem

What is the problem in this passage? In verse 12, Paul writes:

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? (1 Cor. 15:12, ESV)

The Corinthians had heard the gospel. Paul had preached it to them himself. And yet, even though they knew Christ was raised from the dead, some of them denied that the dead would one day be raised.

Now, this isn’t some prophecy about a future zombie apocalypse (in case you were worried about/hoping for that). Rather, it points to the future judgment of both the living and the dead (see 2 Timothy 4:1). Those who are dead will be raised for judgment, but at least some of the Corinthians didn’t believe that.

Perhaps this was another instance of the culture seeping into their Christianity. Corinth was located on the Greek peninsula, and many Greeks believed that the soul was immortal but the body wasn’t. So, a resurrection of the dead didn’t make sense in this cultural framework (see Acts 17:32).

Paul goes on to explain just how bad things would be if there was no resurrection of the dead (1 Cor. 15:13–19). You see, if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ hasn’t been raised. If Christ hasn’t been raised, then our faith is worthless. We’d even be found guilty of misrepresenting God (a very bad place to be for sure). If we only have hope from Christ in this life, then we should be pitied. So, denying the resurrection of the dead is a big deal.

Solution

What’s the solution to this problem? Well, it starts with the gospel. We already discussed verses 1–11, but Paul gives more gospel truths throughout this section.

Paul reminded the Corinthians that Christ was raised from the dead, and he is the first of many (1 Cor. 15:20–28). Death came into the world by Adam’s sin. But life has come to many by Christ. Christ’s sacrifice brought a way out of sin and death. Although sin and death are not fully defeated now, one day they will be.

God raised Christ from the dead, and he will raise believers in a similar way (1 Cor. 15:35–49). It seems like one of the Corinthians’ objections to the resurrection of the dead came down to being confused about what the resurrection of the dead will be like. Paul answers this objection by contrasting the natural and the spiritual. He says that the natural body is from the first man, Adam. This is the perishable, weak, natural form we are all familiar with. But the spiritual is like the last Adam, Christ. That is the imperishable, glorious, powerful model that the resurrection body will be like.

The final part of the solution is to remember that Christ has won the victory for us (1 Cor. 15:50–57). Believers don’t need to worry about what might happen in the future. We know what is going to happen because God has told us. We know that the perishable will be made imperishable. We know that the mortal will become immortal. We have the victory, so rejoice!

Application

How do we apply these truths today? Paul provides some specific application in verse 58:

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1 Cor. 15:58, ESV)

Since we know the end of the story, we can better live faithfully day by day. Because of Christ’s resurrection, we can be steadfast. Because of the resurrection of the dead, we can be immovable. Because the Lord will reward our labor, we can continually grow in our service to and for him.

I pray this post has been a blessing to you. This is the second to last post in my series through 1 Corinthians. Lord willing, I will have it posted the last week of February. Next week, we will take a look at the season commonly referred to as Lent as we prepare to celebrate Easter.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Caleb Friske

Last month, I received a copy of The Fountain of Life: Contemplating the Aseity of God from Crossway in exchange for an honest review. This short book is the first volume in the Contemplating God series and discusses God’s divine aseity: his self-existence.

This series represents a partnership between Crossway and Credo Magazine. Its goal is to provide short reflections on classical theology that anyone can appreciate. In particular, it seeks to help us as believers meditate more deeply on our God.

But what is God’s aseity? It is a theological term that comes from the Latin a, meaning “from,” and se, meaning “self.” Thus, aseity refers to God’s eternal life, in particular God’s eternal life being from himself.

You see, we are creatures. We depend on things outside ourselves for our life. We cannot survive within a vacuum. We have a beginning and we have an end. However, God is the Creator. He has no need for anyone or anything else. We need God, but God does not need us.

This aspect of God, his aseity, his self-existence, is what The Fountain of Life is dedicated to. The author Samuel G. Parkison excellently traces the Bible’s teachings on God’s aseity, addressing passages such as Genesis 1, Exodus 3, and John 1. There is so much to say about God’s self-existence, and this volume provides a short yet deep introduction to this incredible aspect of God.

No matter how much we know about God or his word, we are always in need of more awe and wonder. This book invites us to marvel at our amazing God. It draws us in deeper to our contemplation of him. It encourages us to engage with his supernaturality and stand in amazement. With all that in mind, I wholeheartedly recommend The Fountain of Life: Contemplating the Aseity of God to you.

If you appreciated this post, make sure to check out my other published reviews:

Reviews

Soli Deo Gloria,

Caleb Friske

Today, we’re going to cover 1 Corinthians 12–14. This section addresses the second to last major issue in the book of 1 Corinthians. Here, Paul talks about spiritual gifts.

There’s a lot we could talk about in these three chapters. Not only is it a very long section, it is also highly debated. Plenty of faithful Christians come to different conclusions about spiritual gifts, both about the concept as a whole and certain gifts listed in the Bible.

As much as I would like to go through these chapters and address every single little thing, we will be focusing on the main ideas of this passage. As usual, we will discuss what the problem was in Corinth. We will then look at Paul’s gospel solution that he provides. Finally, we will consider application we can make as believers today.

So, without further ado, let’s dive into 1 Corinthians 12–14.

Problem

If you remember back to the beginning of this letter, Paul had praised the Corinthians for their gifts (1 Cor. 1:7). The Corinthians were gifted believers, so what was the problem? Why did Paul take this much time to make sure they were informed about spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:1)?

As you read these chapters, it becomes clear that the Corinthians had some mixed-up priorities and improper practices in relation to spiritual gifts. In chapter 12, Paul talks about how the church is like one body with many members. There are a variety of spiritual gifts, but one God who provides them and one body they are given for. Based on his teaching here, it seems as though the Corinthians were prioritizing certain gifts over others. Perhaps the individuals were exalting their own gifts while making light of the gifts of others. As Paul writes, it was like an eye looking at a hand and saying, “I have no need of you.” Rather than appreciating every gift that God has given for the benefit of the body, the Corinthians were focusing on certain gifts at the expense of the rest.

Chapter 13 is the famous love chapter in the Bible. If you've ever been to a Christian wedding, you've most likely heard this passage quoted. Now, as beautiful as that is, the immediate context of this chapter is about the love that believers are supposed to demonstrate to others in the church, especially in their use of spiritual gifts. Paul's discussion of love in this section indicates, once again, that the Corinthians had some messed-up priorities. Rather than growing in maturity and the fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:16–26), the Corinthians were focusing too much on their individual gifts instead of trying to use them in love. They may have been gifted, but all of their gifts were nothing without love.

Finally, chapter 14 talks about the proper use of spiritual gifts. In particular, Paul writes about how the gifts are supposed to be used for the benefit of others. The Corinthians were prioritizing certain gifts, but they were ignoring ones that provided more edification (building up). Apparently, they also had some very unorganized worship services. Instead of gathering together to learn and grow, the Corinthians were confusing those who were there. Rather than seeking to build others up, the Corinthians were trying to build themselves up.

Solution

What was the solution to this problem? First, the Corinthians needed to get their priorities straight. They had been prioritizing certain spiritual gifts, yet they had forgotten what was most important: love. This is the “more excellent way” that Paul mentioned at the end of chapter 12. It is the virtue that he discusses in chapter 13. Love forms the basis of his application in chapter 14. As he writes in chapter 13:

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

(1 Corinthians 13:1–3, ESV)

As I mentioned earlier, love is a fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:16–26). The Corinthians, in their pursuit of the best gifts (at least according to them), had forgotten about this important virtue. Rather than loving God and loving their neighbor, as Jesus commands his followers to do, they were loving themselves. The solution: pursue love.

Second, they were to apply love to their desire and use of spiritual gifts. Paul writes that they were to “earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy” (1 Cor. 14:1, ESV). This was in contrast with their ongoing use of tongues. It seems as though they were using that gift without interpreters, thus only the speaker was benefiting. So, Paul told them to desire the gift of prophecy instead, so that everyone could benefit.

Their application of love was to affect the way they worshipped together as well. Whenever they gathered together, everyone had a hymn, lesson, revelation, tongue, or interpretation. But Paul let them know that all this was to be done in a way that built others up. So, instead of everyone sharing at the same time, they were to let maybe two or three speak in turn so that all could learn. In love, they were to prioritize the needs of others so that all might benefit and grow.

Application

As we turn to application, I think it’s appropriate to note that there are a lot of different opinions about spiritual gifts. There are some who think that they no longer exist (which doesn’t really match with the teaching of the New Testament). Others argue that all of the gifts listed and demonstrated in the New Testament are still around and should be desired and pursued. Still others believe that the “ordinary” gifts are still in use while the more “extraordinary” ones have died off. This is a debate that deserves far more space and time, so we will not discuss it here. That being said, the principles that Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 12–14 can and should be applied to your view and use of spiritual gifts, regardless of where you fall on the spectrum of belief about them.

First, value the variety of gifts that the Spirit has given to the church and be content with the one(s) he has given to you. The grass is always greener on the other side, and so it is with spiritual gifts. It is easy to ignore our own gifting and become jealous of the gifts of others. On the other hand, it is incredibly easy to look at our own gifts and think that we are so much better than those around us. In this passage, Paul tells us that we should be content with what we have been given and value the gifts of others. Believers are equipped with different gifts for the benefit of all. Just like a body has different parts with different functions, so too does the church. And just as a body needs all its various parts to function in unison, so too does the church. So appreciate the gifts of others and be content with what you have been given.

Second, cultivate love. Spiritual gifts are important, but they are no replacement for Christian growth and maturity. Even the most desired spiritual gifts are nothing without love. So, grow in love and use your spiritual gifts with love.

Finally, prioritize building others up with spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts are for the benefit of others, so believers should desire gifts that build others up. The Corinthians’ error was to desire and pursue gifts that just puffed them up. Instead, we should desire gifts that help those around us. And, when we use our gifts, we must make sure that we use them in an orderly way. God is a God of peace, not confusion. So, whenever believers gather together, we should keep things orderly so that many will benefit.

The church is a unified body of diverse members, so cultivate love and build others up.

I pray this post was beneficial to you. As you consider spiritual gifts, remember to love and build up others in your local church.

Lord willing, next week we will be examining 1 Corinthians 15 and the resurrection of the dead.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Caleb Friske

Here’s a roadmap for what I’ll be posting on Shepherd’s Path this year.

Throughout this year, I plan to continue writing weekly posts. Most often, these will be series that cover different topics, themes, or books. Here’s what I have planned so far for this year.

• 1 Corinthians: Back in September, I started a series going through the book of 1 Corinthians issue-by-issue. We are ten posts in, but there’s still more to go! The rest of this month, I will be wrapping up this series by addressing spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12–14), bodily resurrection (1 Corinthians 15), and some concluding matters (1 Corinthians 16).

• Deacons: Beginning in February, I will start a study on deacons. Throughout that month, we will take a look at the various passages that discuss the office and function of deacons. Then, we will draw out some principles and applications based on what we learn.

• Joshua: Around the beginning of March, I will be publishing a series that I have wanted to put out for a while. Last year, I took a class on biblical theology in the Old Testament. One of my projects involved writing an introductory blog post and outlining a series about a select book of the Old Testament. I selected Joshua for that project and was so blessed by that study. Later this year, we will dive into the book of Joshua and learn about its key themes.

• The Purpose of Spiritual Gifts: Another class I am taking is on Christology and Pneumatology: the study of Christ and the Holy Spirit. Currently, I am researching the purpose of spiritual gifts. Around the month of May, I plan to take my research on that topic and turn it into a series of posts. Make sure to stay tuned if you’re interested in that one!

• Obadiah: The final series I have planned for this year is on the book of Obadiah. This minor prophet isn’t very well known (I hadn’t really done much reading in it until recently). However, it is a beautiful book that teaches us a lot about God and how he works.

In addition to these, I have a few other things planned for this year.

• Crossway Reviews: Last year, I was able to join the Crossway Review Program. This program has been such a blessing to me, and I look forward to being a part of it as long as they’ll have me. So far, I have reviewed mostly academic reference works. Throughout this year, I plan to request a wider range of works that will hopefully be beneficial to a broader audience.

• Notes: For the past month, I have been posting daily on Notes. While I don’t plan to continue that practice all year long, I will periodically put up reflections from what I’m reading and learning. This may include teasers for upcoming posts, quotes from books I’m reading, or thoughts/questions for my audience. Make sure to follow me on the Substack app for regular updates there.

My planned weekly posts will carry me through about half of this year. If you have any particular types of posts you would like to see for the rest of this year, I created a poll so you can vote for it! This will only be up for about a week, so vote quickly! If one of the options below doesn't catch your eye, be sure to leave your request down in the comments (and feel free to specify which book/topic you would like to learn about there as well).

Soli Deo Gloria,

Caleb Friske

Biblical Theology: A Canonical, Thematic, and Ethical Approach is "a clear, careful textbook to help Bible students interpret Scripture." This work helps its readers grow in their understanding of biblical theology, that is, the theology of the Bible. It seeks to provide a method that will help students of Scripture exegete the text, make connections, find practical application, and make systematic conclusions all while remaining true to the authorial intent and authority of God's Word. This method is provided in the introduction, then Biblical Theology goes book-by-book through the Old and New Testament. A conclusion ties it all together, noting key, unifying themes found throughout Scripture.

The primary section I've interacted with so far was the introduction. This is a 1,016-page book, so I haven't had time to read the whole thing (yet). The introduction provided a helpful overview of the content of the book, the general method, and some foundational discussions. Here are some of the things I appreciated from the introduction:

• Biblical Theology addressed the definition of biblical theology right out of the gate. Quite simply, the authors defined it as the theology of the Bible. Biblical theology isn’t a specific denomination, church, or individual’s theology, but the theology of the biblical authors themselves. It seeks to answer the question: What does the Bible say?

• The authors helpfully put biblical theology as a discipline in its place alongside other aspects of the study of Scripture. They portrayed it as a relay race. The first runner represents introductory matters: the study of a book’s author, recipient, etc. The second runner is exegesis: the studying and interpretation of a particular text. The third runner portrays biblical theology along with historical theology: what does the Bible say and how has the church interpreted it? The final runner is systematic theology alongside practical theology: what then is true and how should we live in light of that truth? Overall, this process is incredibly helpful and helps ground our doctrine and practice in the text itself.

• Speaking of systematic theology, the introduction spends a good bit of time comparing it to biblical theology. This is quite helpful, as most of us are more familiar with systematics. Biblical Theology points out that both have their place, with biblical theology making theological connections and systematic theology making theological constructs. Biblical theology states while systematic theology systematizes.

• The authors address multiple ways of engaging in biblical theology. This was quite helpful, as there are several ways to go about it, and each approach has its own strengths and weaknesses. I already have my preferred approach, so it was a helpful reminder that different ways of doing biblical theology are still faithful and beneficial.

• Finally, I appreciate that the authors sought to address and remain faithful to both the unity and diversity of Scripture. This is one of those truths that we must hold in tension: the Bible is both one unified and consistent whole while also being a diverse collection of books written by different people for different purposes. This is a massive discussion that I don't have time for in this review, but it was great to see it addressed in the introduction (comment on this post if you'd like to see a future post about this discussion… or grab a copy of Biblical Theology!).

So, who is this book for?

• As much as I would love all of my readers to grab a copy and benefit from this work, it is most certainly an academic text. It is intended for students and theologians, so there are a lot of deep discussions, and it assumes a certain familiarity with academic works. I absolutely love books like this, but if you aren’t like me and don’t read systematic or biblical theologies for the fun of it, this might not be for you. If you are a current or former seminary student engaging in biblical theology, I wholeheartedly recommend this book to you.

• This book is also for pastors. While biblical theology may not seem like the most efficient use of your time, I assure you it is. The book itself makes good arguments for how practical this discipline is. Additionally, the detailed outline and indexes help you find specific books, passages, and topics that are addressed. As you prepare to preach through a book or topic, it is incredibly beneficial to have a resource like this to help point out the main themes and emphases of what you will be studying and teaching.

• If you are a mature student of the Bible and theology, this book may be for you as well. Maybe you’ve never been to seminary, but you’ve studied theology, read plenty of books, and sought to learn as much as you can from your church and pastors. If you want to go deeper in your understanding of theology and the Bible, this might be a good book for you to pick up.

If you aren't sure about picking up a copy of Biblical Theology but would still like to learn more about biblical theology, check out my recent review of Biblical Theology: How the Church Faithfully Teaches the Gospel (also published by Crossway). That book takes a slightly different approach to biblical theology than the one we are currently discussing, but it is a short, practical, entry-level work in this field. I also have some additional recommendations towards the end of that post, so make sure to check it out at the link below.

I hope you enjoyed my review. Make sure to check out Crossway if you are interested in picking up a copy of Biblical Theology. My thanks to them for sending me a review copy and my thanks to you for making it through my review.

Over the next several weeks, I plan to use this resource to help write a series on Joshua that I have planned to come out later this year. If you are interested in my plans for 2026, make sure to subscribe, as I will be posting something about that next week.

Subscribe now

Soli Deo Gloria,

Caleb Friske

Have you ever heard the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas?" More than likely, you have. It's a fun Christmas song, to be sure, but there's more to the twelve days than that.1

The twelve days of Christmas mark the time after Advent. They include December 25th through January 5th and lead up to the Feast of the Epiphany, which takes place on January 6th. This is a time of feasting and celebration of the birth of Christ.

The word “epiphany” comes from the Greek word epiphaneia, meaning “manifestation” or “appearing.” The Feast of Epiphany is thus a celebration of Christ’s manifestation. In certain circles, this feast commemorates three things:

1. the visit and adoration of the Magi (Matthew 2:1–12);

2. Christ’s baptism, where the voice from heaven proclaims him to be the Son of God (Matthew 3:13–17);

3. and Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding at Cana, where he transformed the water into wine (John 2:1–12).2

There are two things that I appreciate about this time of reflection: First, it focuses on the glory of Christ. There is a lot of the Christmas season that is miraculous. Angels foretold the birth of Christ. Christ's conception was of the Holy Spirit. Angels appeared to shepherds. The events celebrated during Epiphany are also evidently miraculous and glorious — in some ways, perhaps more so. Wise men traveled far from the east, guided by a star, to worship a child. A voice spoke from heaven at Christ's baptism as the Spirit descended on him. Jesus did the impossible as he performed his first miracle. There is just something glorious about all these events.

Second, there is a focus on Christ’s appearing to others. The visit of the Magi marks the first time Christ was worshiped by Gentiles. Christ’s baptism marked the beginning of his public ministry. The transformation of water to wine was his first miracle. While Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ, Epiphany helps remind us of the life he lived.

I hope this post has given you something to reflect and meditate on during this season. During Epiphany, I will once again be posting reflections on Notes. My readings will be from God is in the Manger, by Dietrich Bonhoeffer (passages included below).

Soli Deo Gloria,

Caleb Friske

Readings for the Twelve Days of Christmas and Epiphany from God is in the Manger, by Dietrich Bonhoeffer:

• 1 Peter 1:6–9 (December 25)

• Matthew 1:18–25

• Philippians 2:5–11

• Psalm 100

• Mark 4:35–41

• Ephesians 1:8b–12

• Romans 8:28–30

• 2 Corinthians 5:16–17

• Matthew 6:31–34

• Psalm 119:11–18

• Ecclesiastes 3:1–8

• Isaiah 50:4

• Matthew 2:9–12 (January 6)

As we look forward to tomorrow’s festivities, I wanted to put together some highlights from this advent season. Below are some passages and reflections that stood out to me.

Christmas celebrates the coming of our Savior. But a Savior from what? Genesis 3 reminds us of both our need for a Savior as well as God's gracious promise in spite of sin's arrival.

There was another miraculous birth around the coming of Christ. To prepare the way for his Son, God sent John the Baptist. This man would go on to turn the hearts of many back to God.

Christ's birth was no normal birth. As the Word of God, he brought light to those in darkness. He is Emmanuel: God with us.

Angels told shepherds about the birth of Jesus. They rushed to see and then proceeded to tell others. The good news of Christ’s birth is worth both consideration and proclamation.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Caleb Friske

This is the eighth of ten issues we are examining in the book of 1 Corinthians. In this passage, Paul needs to address certain abuses of the Lord’s Supper, which was instituted by Christ himself in Matthew 26:26-29. He seeks to teach the believers how they should treat this important memorial to Christ’s death.

Problem

What is the exact problem Paul seeks to address here? First of all, it’s important to recognize the severity of this issue. In verses 29–30, Paul writes:

For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. (ESV)

This issue is so serious that some have become sick or died as a result of their sin. Not every sin is punished with physical sickness or death (as demonstrated in John 9), but some sin is (as seen in Acts 5:1–11).

So what was the problem exactly? Whenever the believers gathered together, it was not for better, but for worse (v. 17). One of the reasons for this was division:

For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. (1 Cor. 11:18, ESV)

This division appears to be between social classes. Once again, the social hierarchy and arrogant division of the Corinthians’ culture had worked its way into the church. Rather than being united as the body of Christ, the believers were dividing from one another.

This division revealed itself especially in the Lord’s Supper:

When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. (1 Cor. 11:20, ESV)

The Lord’s Supper was instituted so that believers could corporately remember the death of the Savior (vv. 24–25). However, when the Corinthians gathered together, it became a feast where the “haves” ate and drank lavishly while the “have-nots” went home hungry (vv. 21–22). Rather than serving as a time to celebrate the Savior’s sacrifice for believers, the Lord’s Supper was being used to celebrate earthly wealth.

Solution

In order to correct this abuse, Paul began by explaining the institution and purpose of the Lord’s Supper (vv. 23–26). On the night he was betrayed, Jesus took bread and broke it. This symbolized his body, broken for believers. He also took the cup, representing his blood shed for the new covenant. These were to be utilized to remember Christ’s death. As often as the Lord’s Supper was celebrated, it would proclaim the Lord’s death until his return.

Thus, Paul exhorts the Corinthians to examine themselves before participating in the Lord’s Supper (vv. 27–32). Because of its importance, unworthy participation in the Lord’s Supper effectively makes one guilty of the body and blood of Christ. While some had been judged because of their unworthy participation (vv. 29–30), those who evaluated themselves truly would not be judged. Rather than being condemned, believers are disciplined by God as his children (see Hebrews 12:5–11).

Finally, Paul provides some specific application for the Corinthians’ problem (vv. 33–34). Instead of selfishly using the Lord’s Supper for their own benefit, the believers were to share with one another. Christ sacrificially laid down his life for us. The least we can do is sacrificially share what we have with our neighbors.

Application

As believers, we still celebrate the Lord’s Supper. We are called to gather with other believers, and one of the most important things we do corporately is remember our Savior’s sacrifice. This passage calls us to remember the importance of this ordinance. The Lord’s Supper isn’t just something we check off our Christian to-do list every so often. It is a vital part of our ongoing life as believers and churches.

So, in application, take it seriously. Whenever your church celebrates the Lord’s Supper, take time beforehand to evaluate your life. If there is sin, especially relational sin with someone in your church, take care of it beforehand. Take time during the observance to celebrate Christ’s sacrifice for you. Take time afterward to share with others about Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, and second coming. Take the Lord’s Supper seriously!

I pray that this post has helped you better understand and appreciate the Lord’s Supper. Whenever your church next celebrates this vital ordinance, make sure to take it seriously as you recognize and proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Caleb Friske

Before I get into the specific ministries I came across in this chapter, I want to note some common themes throughout. Many of the ministries in this chapter involve the indwelling of the Spirit in the believer. This indwelling leads to various aspects of the enabling work of the Spirit as well as his role in the adoption of believers as children of God. These ministries bring with them certain blessings, one of which is the intercession of the Spirit—a ministry that pops up a few times.

Here are the specific ministries of the Holy Spirit I came across in Romans 8:

• Paul began this chapter with the statement that there is no condemnation for those in Christ. This truth is rooted in the fact that the Spirit sets us free from the law of sin and death (v. 2). The Spirit applies the benefits of Christ’s death to the believer and enables believers to conform to God’s will (vv. 3–4). The application of salvation and enabling of faithfulness is part of the Spirit’s work in freeing the believer from sin and death.

• How does this ministry of freeing believers from sin and death work itself out practically? In part, this is done through the Spirit’s enabling of believers to set their minds on spiritual things instead of the things of the flesh (vv. 5–8). Those of the flesh will set their minds on the things of the flesh. The Spirit enables believers to set their minds on spiritual things, and thus enables believers to live lives pleasing to God (vv. 7–8).

• Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. So, where does that leave believers? Due to the indwelling of the Spirit, believers are no longer in the flesh but in the Spirit (vv. 9–11). This indwelling brings new life, both in the present as well as in the future. Believers have new life due to the indwelling work of the Spirit.

• While there is future life to look forward to, believers must still live faithfully here on earth. The Spirit thus enables believers to live in the Spirit rather than in the flesh (vv. 12–14). The Spirit works to put to death the practices of the body, leading believers to live as children of God.

• But how could we be called the children of God? Once again, it is through the indwelling ministry of the Spirit, specifically as he serves as the means of our adoption by God the Father (vv. 15–16). Believers do not have a spirit of slavery. Instead, we have received the Holy Spirit, who actively testifies that we are children of God.

• Adoption as children of God is one blessing we receive from the work of the Spirit. But the blessings we currently experience are only the first fruits of even more that the Father will give us (v. 23). Currently, we still live on earth, where the whole of creation groans and suffers, eagerly awaiting the “re-creation” that is yet to come. One day, believers will fully receive the benefits of their adoption as children: the redemption of their bodies.

• While we eagerly await these blessings, the Spirit works as an intercessor for us (vv. 26–27). We do not always know how to pray. So, as we reach out to our heavenly Father, the Spirit intercedes for us. He helps us in our weakness, interceding for us according to God’s will. As we pray, the Spirit assists us.

These ministries of the Spirit demonstrate God’s love for us. We are unable to save ourselves, so God adopts us through his Spirit. The Spirit indwells us and enables us to live lives that are pleasing to God. He intercedes for us in prayer. He brings new life to the believer, both now and in the future. The work of the Spirit in our lives is extensive and full of blessings.

This post is based on some research I did for my current class: Systematic Theology 2. It has been a joy to study the doctrines of Christ and the Holy Spirit.

If you have any feedback, questions, or comments, make sure to leave them below. If you’re curious about a specific aspect of the doctrines I’m studying, don’t be afraid to send your questions my way!

Soli Deo Gloria,

Caleb Friske

A few months ago, we were discussing the doctrine of election in equipping hour at our church. During our discussion, Hebrews 6:4–6 was brought up, and it was said that the people the author was talking about were not saved. Of course, I wanted to take a deep dive into this passage and figure out what it meant. So, after some in-depth study, here is my opinion on the identity of those mentioned in Hebrews 6:4–6.

There are three main interpretations of this passage:

1. The Warning View: these verses describe genuine believers who are being warned about the serious consequences of apostasy.

2. The Hypothetical View: the passage presents an impossible scenario to illustrate the severity of apostasy.

3. The Professors Not Possessors View: the people described had experienced many spiritual benefits but were never truly regenerate.1

Verses 4–5 seem to paint a picture of a genuine believer. They have been enlightened,2 to some degree; tasted or experienced the heavenly gift, the good word of God, and the power of the coming age; and have, in some way, become partakers of the Holy Spirit. Clearly these are believers, right? Surely they are saved.

Well, the author introduces another key participle in verse 6. These are people who have committed apostasy.3 They have fallen away from a former state. Here, the author completes the statement begun in verse 4: "It is impossible… to renew them again to repentance." This is true because of the severity of the crime. They have benefited from Christ's death while stomping on His grave. They reap some of the rewards only to turn around and crucify Him again and shame Him publicly by falling away from the faith.

So, who are these people and why is it impossible to renew them to repentance? The answer, in some ways, can be found in verses 7–8 in the form of an explanatory analogy. Here, the author presents two plots of earth. Both receive the same rain. They are both blessed by their circumstances, yet one produces useful fruit while the other only useless fruit. The one blesses others while the other is bound for burning.

So, who are they? They are the pretenders of Matthew 7:21–23. They are the weeds of Matthew 13:24–30. They are “those who went out from us because they were not of us” (1 John 2:19). They are members of the visible church who never bothered to become members of the invisible church. They are members or attenders of a local body who only produce works of the flesh. They receive spiritual blessing only from the outside-in (as opposed to the biblical model of inside-out change) because of those around them. They are enlightened because they have heard the gospel and God’s word time and time again, yet, like the second soil in the parable of Matthew 13:1–9, it has failed to take root due to the hardness of their hearts.

Thus, this warning is leveled at Christians, but not believers. It is not a warning to genuine Christians but to nominal Christians. The warning is this: repent before it is too late.

While this passage is certainly one of warning, there is some encouragement. This encouragement is to genuine believers who are members of a healthy church. How could an unbeliever possibly experience spiritual benefits if they are not truly saved? Well, if they are surrounded by genuine believers who are walking as they should in a body that is functioning in the way it ought, it brings a little taste of heaven to the lips of all those who have the privilege to witness such a thing.

Below, you will find my personal translation of this passage.

Heavenly Blessing and Deliberate Apostasy

• For it is impossible,

  • (concerning) those who have been enlightened,

  • and have tasted the heavenly gift,

  • and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit,

  • and have tasted the good word of God and the power of the coming age,

  • and have committed apostasy,

• to renew them again to repentance,

  • since they have crucified again for themselves the Son of God

  • and publicly disgraced him.

Explanatory Analogy

• For the ground

  • which has drank the rain which often falls on it

  • and is bringing forth useful vegetation for others,

    • for whose sake it is also cultivated,

• receives a blessing from God.

• But,

  • if it produces thorns and thistles,

• it is worthless and near cursing,

  • whose end is for burning.

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Soli Deo Gloria,

Caleb Friske

Biblical Theology is part of the 9Marks: Building Healthy Churches series. The aim of this series is to address key doctrines and practices that build up churches. This volume focuses on the discipline of biblical theology.

Roark and Cline wrote this book with the goal of helping churches guard against false gospels. They argue that biblical theology is a helpful safeguard against the danger of drifting into these false gospels. Biblical theology is defined as “reading the Bible in light of its main message, culminating in Jesus Christ.” The authors provide a framework to understand the storyline of the Bible and then discuss principles for prioritizing the main message.

There is much I appreciated about this volume. However, there are certain areas where I differed. So, in the following review, I will explain what I liked and then move on to areas of disagreement. Then, I will seek to provide some recommendations.

What I Appreciated

• First of all, as with all of the books in the 9Marks: Building Healthy Churches series, Biblical Theology is concise and practical. The meat of this book is just over 100 pages. Yet, within this short volume, we find deep theology, foundational principles, and practical application.

• The authors examine real-world examples of false gospels and false churches. They reveal how a lack of biblical theology can lead to these issues and how a proper use of it can resolve them. This aspect is part of what makes Biblical Theology so practical.

• The first chapter is worth the price of the book alone. In it, the authors discuss the need for biblical theology. As a big fan of biblical theology, I absolutely loved it. The authors do a fantastic job of arguing for the importance and practicality of this practice.

• Chapters 3 and 4 address an important question: what is the Bible’s big story? These chapters examine the overall teachings of Scripture and demonstrate how it all points to Christ. The authors did an excellent job demonstrating the key sections of Scripture and how they communicate a unified message.

Where I Differ

Biblical Theology, as previously stated, is a concise and practical book. Its aim is to be beneficial for everyone, so it doesn’t address the range of methods in the field of biblical theology. Thus, it ends up being somewhat narrow in scope and depth.

So, here are some areas where I differ:

• Definitionally, Biblical Theology focuses on biblical theology as the practice of identifying a single theme as the main theme of Scripture and demonstrating how all of Scripture connects to that theme. It seeks to connect the Bible through one big story. While I appreciate this emphasis, it is only part of the field of biblical theology. In one class I took, we defined biblical theology as “the study of God’s written revelation that seeks to discover God’s message with special attention to its progressive nature, contribution to the storyline of the Bible, and application to the New Testament believer.” Biblical theology is not less than identifying the overall storyline of Scripture, but it is much more than that.

• We don’t have space to address this adequately here, but a major discussion in the field of biblical theology is whether or not there is one central theme of the Bible. Generally, I believe that it may be more helpful to focus on primary themes and their sub-themes. You could then unite the primary themes into a broad single theme. It’s important to find a balance in this area, as an emphasis on a single broad theme could lead to a de-emphasis of the diversity of Scripture, while a focus on primary or sub-themes could damage our view of the unity of the Bible.

Recommendations

• First of all, I want to say that I do recommend picking up this book. As I noted earlier, there are a lot of things to appreciate and benefit from. However, I want to recommend a few additional resources if you are interested in the field of biblical theology.

• If you have ever used Google to search for answers to theological questions, you are most likely familiar with GotQuestions.org. They have an article that addresses the question: What is biblical theology?. If you are interested in a basic overview of biblical theology, this is a good place to start.

• Another helpful resource (that also happens to be produced by 9Marks) is Biblical Theology in the Life of the Church: A Guide for Ministry. This book is mostly directed at pastors and church leaders, but there’s helpful information in it for everyone.

• I would also like to direct you to Crossway’s series Short Studies in Biblical Theology. These books demonstrate the practice of biblical theology by selecting specific themes and tracing them throughout Scripture. They are models of subject studies in biblical theology. If you are interested in these types of studies, I encourage you to browse the link above and choose a volume that interests you.

I hope this review was beneficial for you. If you would like to discuss biblical theology more, I’d love to interact with you in the comments.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Caleb Friske