Andy Naselli

Thoughts on Theology

The Problem of the New Testament’s Use of the Old Testament

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That’s the title of a 45-page essay I coauthored with Doug Moo:

Moo, Douglas J., and Andrew David Naselli. “The Problem of the New Testament’s Use of the Old Testament.” Pages 702–46 in The Enduring Authority of the Christian Scriptures. Edited by D. A. Carson. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2016.

Two years ago I shared the background to that chapter and the book in which it appears.

Now I may share a PDF of the chapter.

The Riot and the Dance: A New Nature Documentary That Honors the Creator

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My family loves watching high-quality nature documentaries like BBC’s Planet Earth. I call them theological documentaries—even when the people who make them don‘t share my biblical convictions that God is the sovereign creator and that humans have a God-given role to rule over the nature that these films showcase.

What would it be like to watch a high-quality nature documentary that honors the Creator? Watch The Riot and the Dance—Part 1: Earth.

After I read Doug Wilson’s take on this new film, I wanted to see it.

My kids enjoyed it so much that they begged Jenni and me to watch it twice in one weekend.

Here’s an 80-second trailer for the 80-minute film:

[Read more…] about The Riot and the Dance: A New Nature Documentary That Honors the Creator

My Seminary Is Now Offering an M.A. in Exegesis and Theology for Women and Men

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My seminary has focused exclusively on training pastors with our four-year M.Div. program.

Now Bethlehem College & Seminary is adding a two-year M.A. program for both women and men.

My colleague Rick Shenk recently announced,

Over the past several years, we have received numerous inquiries from friends who love the vision, theology, and faculty of Bethlehem College & Seminary but could not enroll in our flagship M.Div. program that focuses on training men for vocational eldership. Associate pastors and non-staff elders, women’s ministry leaders, missionaries, and others who desire formal theological education have asked, “What about us?”

I am so excited that we are now offering an M.A. in Exegesis and Theology for women and men! I love this!

This is another way that Bethlehem College & Seminary is spreading a passion for the supremacy of God for the joy of all peoples through Jesus Christ.

More info here.

Authorized: The Use and Misuse of the King James Bible

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This book releases today:

Mark L. Ward Jr. Authorized: The Use and Misuse of the King James Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham, 2018. [Available from Amazon and Logos Bible Software.]

My endorsement:

Ward combines good writing and common sense to explain why English speakers today should both appreciate the KJV and benefit from excellent modern translations.

Other endorsements come from historic fundamentalists (Mark Minnick, Kevin Bauder), conservative evangelicals (Don Carson, Tom Schreiner, John Frame, Mark Strauss), and from an influential linguist (John McWhorter).

John McWhorter is one of Mark Ward’s heroes, so it was an honor for Ward when McWhorter interviewed him on his podcast for Slate.

Mark and I were in the PhD program together at Bob Jones University (I was there 2002–2006), and we’ve stayed in contact ever since. Most recently we roomed together at the annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society in Providence, Rhode Island, last November. I think I’ve read everything he has written on his website as he has released it. He’s a sharp thinker and witty writer.

Here’s a 2-min.-40-second book trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7jAH3O5AUA

Update on February 18, 2019: Mark Ward turned his book into an entertaining 45-minute documentary. My family enjoyed watching it together last night. Who knew Mark could be so witty and slapstick on camera?

Update on October 12, 2022: Mark Ward’s documentary has been behind a paywall until today. It’s now free on YouTube.

Top Posts in 2017

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Here are 17 top posts from 2017:

  1. How to Understand and Apply the New Testament: Twelve Steps from Exegesis to Theology
  2. John Piper’s Tribute to Don Carson
  3. Eureka! Discovering Gold in God’s Word
  4. 20 Resources on the Protestant Reformation
  5. Andy and Jason Drive It Home
  6. Controversy of the Ages: Why Christians Should Not Divide Over the Age of the Earth
  7. No Quick Fix: Where Higher Life Theology Came From, What It Is, and Why It’s Harmful
  8. Carson: 10 Subtle Ways to Abandon the Authority of Scripture in Our Lives
  9. Why Christian Women Marry Losers
  10. Doug Wilson’s New Novel: Flags Out Front
  11. Advice for Students Considering a PhD
  12. 3 Helpful Books on Productivity: Essentialism, Deep Work, and Reset
  13. The Collected Works of John Piper
  14. Is Every Promise “Yes”? Jason DeRouchie on Old Testament Promises and the Christian
  15. My Favorite Two Sentences in the Bible (Romans 11:36) on Canvas
  16. Do Not Love the World: Breaking the Evil Enchantment of Worldliness
  17. Updates to My Article on How I Set Up My Desks for Sitting and Walking

Related:

Departing in Peace: Biblical Decision-Making at the End of Life

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This is the most practical book I know of on the ethics of end-of-life decision-making:

Bill Davis. Departing in Peace: Biblical Decision-Making at the End of Life. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2017.

You can read a 48-page sample PDF here.

Four excerpts:

  1. Declining treatment is not a form of suicide. (p. 51)
  2. Letting die is not the same as killing. (p. 59)
  3. We are not biblically required to start or continue to use medical treatment that is excessively burdensome. We may choose to start or continue its use when we believe that doing so is part of faithful stewardship of our resources, but we are not obligated to bear excessive medical burdens in order to stay alive. (p. 78)
  4. God’s Word does not require us to force food or water on our loved ones by mechanical means if the burdens of those means greatly exceed the benefits involved. (p. 105)

Why Christian Women Marry Losers

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That’s what this new book is about:

Reju, Deepak. She’s Got the Wrong Guy: Why Smart Women Settle. Greensboro, NC: New Growth, 2017.

Deepak Reju (MDiv, PhD) is the pastor of biblical counseling and families for Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC (Mark Dever is senior pastor), and president for the board of directors of the Biblical Counseling Coalition. [Read more…] about Why Christian Women Marry Losers

Surviving and Thriving in Seminary: An Academic and Spiritual Handbook

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This new book is full of good advice from two young guys who recently completed doctoral degrees and are now full-time professors:

Danny Zacharias and Benjamin K. Forrest. Surviving and Thriving in Seminary: An Academic and Spiritual Handbook. Bellingham, WA: Lexham, 2017.

Also available from Logos Bible Software.

25 excerpts: [Read more…] about Surviving and Thriving in Seminary: An Academic and Spiritual Handbook