And so the e-mails continue about my view that the above view tends toward chaos. . .
I remain convinced that many interpreters of Revelation have a truncated view of the events they judged to be prophetic fulfillments and they are guilty of viewing history in instrumental terms. They studied the past and current events to find those that fit their expected prophetic scenario. They cherry pick the evidence to support their theories, in other words. Because they believed they understood where history was going in great detail and the unseen forces that were moving it along, history contained few real surprises.
But . . . what about the complexities of historical cause and effect? What about the unexpected consequences of human behavior? They proof text! They have an a-historical view of history. They have this view and they proof text in order to match history to their anticipated plan. They place an events into their prophetic jigsaw puzzle and when they are proved to be wrong, it is difficult for them to take the piece out! Read more…
Marilyn and I have been blessed with two wonderful children who love Jesus and his Church in deep mature ways. We are grateful for our daughter Rachel who models what it means to be a Christian wife, mother, and servant in the church. Joe is a good preacher and well loved by the good folks in Pana. Rachel’s ministry with Joe in Pana is a blessing to many. And besides these blessings, she and Joe have given us two wonderful granddaughters, Carissa and Jocelyn in whom we find great delight.
Our son Brian and his wife Sarah also serve the Lord in rich ways, Sarah teaching high school French and maintaining her Christian witness and Brian as managing editor of Preaching Today. Ever since he was a child Brian has loved to write. I recommend a piece to you that he recently wrote on today’s anti-hero and the quest for justice and how a Christian should respond.
Get your own Jack Bauer action figure!
The sermons being preached for chapel services of Lincoln Christian Seminary this semester are focusing on images of God. So far the students and others are responding well as we have heard some fine preaching as God as King and God as Shepherd. In the weeks to come more images will be covered: God the Craftsman, the Farmer/Gardner/Vineyard Owner, the Builder, the Homemaker, the Parent, the Spouse, the Friend, and the Kinsmen. Exciting images!
On Wednesday, September 17, I preached a sermon on the theme God the Warrior. Little did I know when I began my preparation how pervasive this theme is in both the Old and New Testaments. So I invite you to listen and reflect on our God as Warrior and we as a warrior people.
Listen to Dr. Lowery’s sermon, “God the Warrior,” at the LCCS Podcast site.
In September 2006, at the encouragement of my friend and colleague (and the one who keeps this site up and running), Michael Gowin, I began posting my reflections for your reading pleasure. I remain grateful to Michael for his friendship and his stellar work on the project and I am grateful to you, dear readers, for your visits, insights, and kind words of encouragement. Michael and I are ready to begin a third year, and we invite you to continue visiting the site at your convenience.
I have welcomed having this forum to share with you perspectives not only on Revelation but on other topics as well. and I have appreciated your comments. The venture has forced me (and I use the verb in a good way) to be writing on a regular basis.
I have a request. Are there issues, topics, or questions that you would like to see me address? They can be larger than Revelation in particular or eschatology in general. Please drop us a line and let me know how I can be of better service to you.
Thanks for sharing the journey as we grow in Grace and Truth.
Bob
Photo by boxercab
Several of you responded directly to me via e-mail about my musings on the approach that sees Revelation mirroring today’s newspaper headlines, an approach that tends toward chaos, at least in my opinion. Some have said they agreed and not a few have disagreed. The disagreements have been more emotional than rational. And I am disappointed.
Let me repeat: The Book of Revelation is not about predicting the future in great detail but rather it is about how disciples of Jesus are to live in light of a future that belongs to God. Let me elaborate: Read more…
Photo by wishymom
On August 1 of this year I began my thirty-third year of teaching for Lincoln Christian Seminary. A few days ago my wife and I were out with friends and they talked to me about my ministry and I observed that due to recent retirements, I have the most seniority of any professor currently teaching at Lincoln. There are one or two others that may have been teaching full-time longer, but not here at Lincoln.
Why? Why have I remained on the same campus in the same ministry for so many years? Is it because I have not had the opportunity to go elsewhere and do something else? No. There have been a few moments when I was ready to go. But something or Someone pulled me back. Read more…