Roger Severino

Category: Discipleship

WHY STUDY THEOLOGY?

Why do we need to study the theological foundations of the Christian faith? I can imagine protests coming from different camps. One group might claim that this is unnecessary because people in our churches already know and embrace these truths. Others will complain that theology is for professionals, not for everyday Christians. This perspective might say, “Don’t bother people...more

He Spoke in Parables: What? Why? How?

Jesus often taught using parables. Three questions follow. What are parables? Why did Jesus use them as a way to teach? How do they relate to Jesus’ central message? What are parables? Early on, I heard the definition as “an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.”  OK.  Not a bad place to start, especially if we limit the definition...more

Christianity is not Conduct, Creed, or Cult. It’s a New Birth: Reflections on John 3

The Old Testament had promised that one day God would pour out His Spirit on His people. The Book of Ezekiel, for example, references God putting His Spirit in His people in chapters 11, 36, 37, and 39.When the Spirit’s outpouring is realized at Pentecost, Peter references a prophecy from the Book of Joel. But prior to Pentecost, the...more

Birth of Christ: The Silence is Broken after a 400 Year Intermission

“When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son” (Galatians 4:4). The Old Testament closes around 400 B.C., with the Persians dominating the Middle East. Books like Ezra and Nehemiah, and prophets like Haggai and Malachi, are at the end of Old Testament history. Yes, there are significant books (the Apocrypha) written in the intertestamental period...more

NEHEMIAH: THE OLD TESTAMENT CONCLUDES STILL AWAITING THE PROMISE

In 539 BC, the Persian king Cyrus defeated Babylon and allowed the Israelites to return to their land. Many did return, but not all. God had sent His people into exile for their rebellion and idolatry. Now, as part of their restoration, God raised up leaders like Ezra and Nehemiah to lead the post-exilic community back to the land,...more

Ezekiel: A Severe Mercy and Promise of the Spirit

This series of blogs is following our curriculum God’s Unfolding Story, Venture In, which attempts to tell the Old Testament story in 13 lessons, and to tell it in light of the entire Bible’s storyline continued in the New Testament. It may surprise you that Ezekiel is one of the books chosen among these top 13. Let’s be honest,...more

Isaiah’s Prophecies: Cradle, Cross, and Crown

Last week’s blog focused on Elijah and his confrontation with the prophets of Baal and the rulers in the northern kingdom, specifically Ahab and Jezebel. Meanwhile, God also had His prophets doing their work in the southern kingdom of Judah. The divided kingdom, as we learned, occurred after Solomon, when 10 of the tribes broke to form the northern...more

ELIJAH: “How Long Will You Waver Between Two Opinions?”

Following Solomon’s reign, the kingdom is split in two. The northern kingdom composed of 10 tribes rebels against Rehoboam (Solomon’s son) because of the harshness of forced labor under Solomon and promised to continue under his son. The nation of Israel is now divided against itself, and consequently more vulnerable to her enemies. Each kingdom begins to see the...more

SOLOMON: A SON OF DAVID POINTS TO THE SON OF DAVID

In God’s covenant with David (2 Samuel 7), He says that David’s son, “Will build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever” (2 Sam. 7:13). The promises in this covenant include Solomon, David’s son and successor, but go beyond him and point to the ultimate “son of David” who was born...more

JOSHUA: A FOREBODING FAREWELL ADDRESS, Reflections on Joshua 24

Last week’s blog focused on God delivering His people out of slavery in Egypt and the commemoration of Passover as the means to save God’s people from the tenth plague against Egypt. After delivering the Israelites out of slavery, the people rebel against God and are made to wander in the wilderness for 40 years. Moses takes them to...more
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