The Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary is a relatively new series and one that has not yet been completed. It also features some especially gifted theologians like Tom Schreiner, James Hamilton, and Andreas Köstenberger. That offers lots of good reasons to begin collecting it! As it happens, it’s on sale now at Westminster Books.
Today’s Kindle deals include several titles from The Good Book Company, like Steve Midgley’s Understanding Trauma and Christopher Ash’s seven-week study of the Psalms.
I really appreciate what Matthew Hall has to say here about decisions—both making them and abiding by them. “From our lives together in communities, to our local churches, to our places of employment, so much of what we share involves actually leaning in, saying yes to new obligations, and thereby assuming the responsibility of speaking into decisions and being accountable for them. Here are a few thoughts on how any of us can better steward the places and responsibilities entrusted to our care.”
Robb Brunansky provides a helpful overview of what the Bible says about demons. “The topic of demons is, by all accounts, fascinating for believers because we have divine revelation that prepares us for spiritual battle with our enemies. Christians believe that God has revealed truth about the demonic realms for our benefit. So here, we will wrap up our series by looking at what Scripture says about demons.” (The other entries in the series are equally helpful and cover what the Bible says about angels and Satan.)
Speaking of the demonic, Joe Carter considers those who dismiss astrologers and tarot as outdated and instead ask AI about their future. “A growing subculture of rationalist AI devotees—tech-savvy, often skeptical of religion, fluent in the language of optimization and systems thinking—have made AI chatbots their primary vehicle for self-knowledge. They ask the AI chatbot Claude to analyze their attachment style, identify their core wounds, map their psychological blind spots, and prescribe a growth plan.”
Jesus wants us “always to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1, ESV). But have you ever prayed for something every day, even for 30 days? Now, imagine your whole church praying together—for your church—for 30 days. God is listening and ready to answer! Sign up for this free 30-day Prayer Challenge using biblical prayers from “5 Things to Pray for Your Church” in the PrayMore app. (Sponsored)
Stephen Kneale considers the ways in which even tiny changes in our lives can result in surprisingly big payoffs. “This isn’t a spiritual guilt-trip to make you feel inadequate or a means of geeing you up by bringing you down. I am purposefully presenting these things, for what they are, as things that might benefit you should you want, or be able, to do them.”
The premise of this article is true, I’m sure. If we spend more time looking up from our phones, we will find more reasons to praise God! It’s important, then, that we all make time to stop scrolling and start singing.
This is a poignant reflection from Sylvia Schroeder that covers love, joy, and aging. “As I scroll those baby pictures with nostalgia in my heart, I cannot help but feel like just yesterday it was my baby and I was on the floor tickling her belly and listening to her laugh. Today it is a great grandchild squealing and gurgling. Sands of time, once leisurely sifting, now pour.”
When you have the opportunity to reach out to someone who is hurt and hurting, consider whether you are being led by compassion or curiosity. Consider whether you are binding the wound or aggravating it.
As soon as we think God owes us mercy, we’re not thinking about mercy anymore.
