Andy Naselli

Thoughts on Theology

A New Systematic Theology by an Eccentric Genius

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I’ve never met Gerald Bray, but based on many stories I’ve heard about him from friends, he’s an eccentric genius. Some have told me that he’s the most brilliant person they know.

Bray is an Anglican theologian who knows something like two dozen languages. The bachelor has one of those English accents that, to many Americans, makes him automatically sound intelligent—though it’s acquired because he is Canadian by birth. And I’ve heard that native Russians can’t tell that he has a foreign accent when he speaks Russian!

His latest book is about as eccentric as he is:

Gerald Bray. God Is Love: A Biblical and Systematic Theology. Wheaton: Crossway, 2012. 768 pp. [Read more…] about A New Systematic Theology by an Eccentric Genius

Do You Think I Wouldn’t Obey My Own Rules?

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In C. S. Lewis’s The Voyage of the Dawn Treader , Lucy reads a spell to make hidden things visible.

To her surprise, Aslan appears in the doorway:

“Oh, Aslan,” said she, “it was kind of you to come.”

“I have been here all the time,” said he, “but you have just made me visible.”

“Aslan!” said Lucy almost a little reproachfully. “Don’t make fun of me. As if anything I could do would make you visible!” [Read more…] about Do You Think I Wouldn’t Obey My Own Rules?

The Best Part about Knowing the Biblical Languages

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Scott J. Hafemann, “Is it genuinely important to use the biblical languages in preaching, especially since there are many excellent commentaries and pastors will never attain the expertise of scholars?” Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 3:2 (1999): 86–89 (formatting added):

One hour with the text is worth ten in secondary literature. . . .

But I have saved the best for last. Knowing the biblical languages enables us to do something very few commentaries ever do: trace the flow of the argument of the text. [Read more…] about The Best Part about Knowing the Biblical Languages

Don’t Be a Loner

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Paul writes Timothy in 2 Tim 2:22,

Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (NIV)

But keep away from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faithfulness, love, and peace, in company with others who call on the Lord from a pure heart. (NET)

Ray Van Neste observes in the ESV Study Bible,

The pursuit of right is not to be done alone but along with other believers. Connection with the community of faith is essential for both progress in sanctification and perseverance in the faith.

Similarly, the NET Bible note observes,

In company with others who call on the Lord from a pure heart alludes to the value of the community of believers for the development of Christian virtues.

Related:

  1. Accountability
  2. Pitfalls and Benefits of Small Group Bible Study