Deceiving Winds offers ancient parallel to contemporary problems

12 Apr 2010 at 12:42

Matthew Keedy Clifton

Book Reviews

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Book review by Matthew K. Clifton

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians has been a special area of interest for me in my studies, so when I got the opportunity to review a new book focusing on the biblical and historical information we have regarding the church at Ephesus, I jumped at the chance. I was not disappointed.

In Deceiving Winds, Bruce Morton has assembled a wonderful study not only on the textual information found in the New Testament, but also on the social, historical and archaeological background that brings depth to the picture of ancient Ephesus. In a world where the church is constantly dogged by temptations to digress doctrinally and “go along to get along,” we should well heed the warning and example found in the scriptures regarding the church at Ephesus. By so doing, the church in present times can navigate these dangerous waters and remain pleasing to the Lord. Continue reading →

The making of the King James Version

07 Apr 2010 at 09:25

Matthew Keedy Clifton

Church History

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by Matthew K. Clifton

Introduction

For nearly 400 years, the KJV has been “The Bible” of English-speaking people. In the last 100 years, as a rush of new translations came about, the KJV was still seen by many as the “gold standard” when evaluating new versions.[1] There are even many die-hard “KJV only” believers who stand by the “Authorized Version” as the only accurate translation of the scriptures, some even going so far as to believe the KJV translation itself was directly inspired by God,[2] and not just the original language manuscripts behind it.

But while many have already formed an opinion of the King James Version based on personal taste, tradition, or other reasons, how much does the average Bible reader actually know about the creation of this translation? Why was it created? Where was the work done? Who were the people responsible? Was there a clear objective for the work? And how was the new translation received? Continue reading →

God’s design in the world around us

08 Mar 2010 at 09:36

Matthew Keedy Clifton

Bible 'Quick Notes'

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by Matthew K. Clifton

In the late 1700’s, a fellow named William Paley gave an illustration about how we look at the world around us. He said that if you were walking through a field and came across a watch on the ground, you would not think that watch came about naturally. Instead, you would recognize that because of the complexity of the watch with all its gears and organization, someone must have made that watch. Why is it that we do not recognize the same thing when we look at the complex world around us?

The Bible says that the heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork (Psa. 19:1). When we truly examine the solar system in which the earth resides, and the galaxy, and all the other galaxies around us, it is clear that there is an amazing level of organization. Continue reading →

Blind faith?

05 Mar 2010 at 08:56

Matthew Keedy Clifton

Apologetics, Bible 'Quick Notes'

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by Matthew K. Clifton

Often Christians are painted as people who believe in things for which they have no evidence. It is sometimes suggested by atheists that believers “just go on blind faith.” But is this the kind of faith the Bible encourages in the people of God? Continue reading →

On the origin of the Septuagint

15 Feb 2010 at 17:26

Matthew Keedy Clifton

Church History

3 Comments

by Matthew K. Clifton

Introduction

If one were to mention the Greek Septuagint to the average modern Christian, chances are good that most of them would have very little idea what it is. And yet, when reading the New Testament, the average Christian will come across approximately 200 quotations[1] directly from this document. The Septuagint was the Bible for most of the New Testament writers, and it also had a great influence on the early post-apostolic writers.[2] Since the work was incorporated into the New Testament and utilized by early Christians, it is important for the contemporary Bible student to understand something about the origins of the Septuagint. Continue reading →

The purity of new-fallen snow

29 Jan 2010 at 08:39

Matthew Keedy Clifton

Devotionals

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by Matthew K. Clifton

It has never been a big secret that I am not the best yard-keeper in the world. Landscaping 101 was never in my course work, although I do come from a long line of greats in the lawn care industry (a story I will spare you for another day). My grass is always a little too high, the hedges always resemble the heads of 4-year-olds boys too long without a trim, and I can never quite seem to keep the “shin busters” (known to most people as “toys”) out of the front yard. Continue reading →

Book Review: ‘The Work of the Preacher is Working’

29 Dec 2009 at 10:31

Matthew Keedy Clifton

Book Reviews, Preaching

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by Matthew K. Clifton

The Work of the Preacher is Working by Thomas H. Holland
(Brentwood, TN: Penmann Books, 2001). 297 pp.

Preaching has the same huge temptation as any other independent work: laziness. If you own your own business, you are solely responsible for the output of that business. In a similar way, the preacher must be a self-starter, and not fall prey to laziness or distraction. Thomas Holland’s great book, The Work of the Preacher is Preaching, will help train preachers young and old to avoid the pitfalls of working independently. Continue reading →

He called her ‘daughter:’ God’s universal grace in Mark 5:25-34

18 Dec 2009 at 11:03

Matthew Keedy Clifton

New Testament Commentary

3 Comments

by Matthew K. Clifton

Introduction

One of the most intriguing passages in the synoptic gospels is found in Mark 5:25-34. In this passage, sometimes called the “healing of the woman with the issue of blood,” a miracle takes place that appears to be unique among the others in the gospel accounts. While on His way to heal the daughter of Jairus, who is the ruler of the synagogue, Jesus is approached surreptitiously by a woman who had a persistent hemorrhaging. She touched his garment and was healed. After Jesus realized someone had touched Him, the woman returns and tells Jesus “the whole truth” about what happened. In the end, Jesus tells her to “go in peace,” calling her “daughter.” Continue reading →

Excellent article on abortion

17 Dec 2009 at 09:26

Matthew Keedy Clifton

Cross Currents

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Weylan Deaver has an excellent article on abortion posted on his blog. In this article Weylan details what we can learn from the Bible about the subject of abortion, offering nine solid points that will help you study the subject further, or even form a sermon around.

Paul and Baptism

30 Nov 2009 at 02:01

Matthew Keedy Clifton

Salvation

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by Matthew K. Clifton

It is sometimes stated that the writings of the apostle Paul give no particular emphasis to baptism as a command of the gospel. In fact, the average “man on the street” evangelical adherent will claim that since Paul said Christ sent him “not to baptize, but to preach the gospel” (1 Cor. 1:17), it must mean that baptism is not a part of the gospel, nor necessary for salvation.1 But how does Paul treat baptism in his writings? Does he really isolate baptism in water from the gospel? Does Paul see baptism as unnecessary and inconsequential? If not, what purposes and needs does Paul see being fulfilled by baptism? Continue reading →

  1. Blomberg, Craig L. The NIV Application Commentary, 1 Corinthians. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1994. Blomberg claims that 1 Corinthians 10:1-12 is a proof that baptism is not required for salvation, but in both his references (p. 46 and pp. 191-197) he fails to give exegetical support to the statement, other than to say that the Israelites were not literally immersed in water while following the cloud and at the crossing of the Red Sea. Somehow he applies Paul’s figurative use of “baptism” in reference to the Israelites to the Bible’s literal teaching in regards to baptism and conversion. [↩]
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