Finger Pointing Exposition

Peter Mead has an insightful post here related to whether the general disinterest in expository preaching today is to be blamed on the fickle culture or faulty practitioners. I suspect that it is less either/or and more both/and. After all, preachers themselves are often children of their culture as well. That being said, Mead's statement that, "People who tell me they don’t appreciate expository preaching are essentially telling me they haven’t heard any worthy of the label," rings true.

Top Tips for doing your PhD

David Ritsema has a very helpful post on "Top Ten Tips for doing your PhD" here. He lists three different lists, two from other sources, and his own list. I have included a edited version of the lists below.

Jobs.ac.uk list

1. Talk to your supervisor
2. Stay focused
3. Start with a plan
4. Be flexible
5. Stay sane while researching
6. Set yourself achievable deadlines
7. Stick to your achievable deadlines!
8. Know when to stop
9. Choose tough but friendly examiners
10. Think about the next step

Matt Schonlau’s list

1. Begin with the end in mind

2. You have no obligation to write an important or even useful thesis

3. Write!

4. Exercise regularly

5. Enjoy your “play time”

6. Talk to others about your problems

7. Record your progress

8. Don’t find excuses - don’t do too many other important things.

9. Choose a dissertation topic you are passionate about

10. Work on your strengths, not on your weaknesses

11. Take charge - it’s your life not your supervisor’s

12. Do what is right for you - including the choice of discontinuing your Ph.D.

Ritsema’s list:

1. Go to SBL/AAR National Meeting or else a local meeting. [I would include ETS]

2. Develop Friendships with Other Students and Scholars.

3. Prepare yourself and family (if married).

4. Make Use of Discounted Book Sellers .

5. Develop a pattern of studying.

6. Learn to read and write quickly.

7. Buy Turabian but download SBL Guide.

8. Buy Software Suites.

9. Locate Online Academic Communities.

10. Take seriously your professors’ comments but never let their criticism keep you from moving forward.

Baptists and Elders

Jeff Cavanaugh has an interesting post on Baptists and Elders here.

The Golan’s Biblical and Post-Biblical History

Although it is more of an editorial piece than an actual article, some may be interested in reading about the biblical and post-biblical history of the Golan heights here.

Top Ten Reason the Dispensationalist Did Not Cross the Road

The Parchment and Pen Blog has a funny post on the"Top Ten Reasons the Dispensationalist Did Not Cross the Road." They are (drum roll please):

10. Thought he would be raptured before he got there anyway.

9. Thought that the other side was for the ‘Israel’, and this side was for the ‘church’.

8. Charles Ryrie was still on this side of the road, why cross?

7. Thought it was pointless since Jesus was just going to bring him back after 7 years.

6. Like the OT prophets and the church age, he was unable to see the other side.

5. He was afraid that if he went, there would be nothing to restrain the man of lawlessness.

4. He was not a part of the dispensation of ‘crossing’.

3. Dallas Theological Seminary hadn’t yet published anything telling him how to do it.

2. Thought there was a two thousand foot gap between the 69th and 70th step.

1. By taking a consistently literal approach, he thought that ‘cross the road’ meant something about the crucifixion.

Meditation on Revelation 1

Dave Bish has the following meditation on Revelation 1 on his blog here.

He is the faithful witness, reliably revealing what will happen.
He is the firstborn from the dead, his resurrection brings ours.
He is the ruler of the kings of the earth, they all stand accountable to him.
He loves us.
He freed us from our sins by his blood, taking our punishment, cleansing us.
He made us a kingdom, over which he is king.
He made us priests to God the Father, and we may boldly approach.
He owns glory and rule over all things forever, he is incomparable.
He is coming with the clouds, he will return.
He will be seen by every eye, even those who pierced him.
He will cause all to wail, the light who exposes our sin.
He is the beginning and the end. He was, is and will be.
He Tribution and patient endurance are in him.
He addresses the churches with warning and encouragement.
He walks among his churches like a son of man.
He wears a long robe and a gold sash.
He has hair that is white like wool and snow.
He has eyes that are like flaming fire.
He has feet that are like burnished refined bronze.
He has a voice is like torrents of water.
He holds church leaders in his hands.
He speaks words that can divide bone and marrow and pierce the heart of man.
He has a face that shines with more brilliance than the midday sun.
He says don't fear him.
He is first and last, we and all creation are 'jonny-come-latelys' in the party of all eternity.
He the living one.
He died and is now alive forevermore.
He holds the keys to hell.
He knows what is coming.

Making Biblical Ink

See this interesting story about how ancient scribes may have made the ink used in the production of manuscripts.

Moody Bible Institute President Resigning

Michael J. Easley, the president of Moody Bible Institute is resigning for health reasons. Read about it here.