*After my conversion in the U. S. Navy (in a submarine beneath the North Atlantic!), I entered Columbia Bible
College, where I received a B.A. (1985). This was followed by an M.A. in Religion at Westminster Theological Seminary (1987) and a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies at the University of Pennsylvania (1999). In 2000, I was ordained in the Christian Reformed Church, and since 1995 have been teaching at Calvin Theological Seminary. I have also taught courses at Westminster Theological Seminary, the University of Pennsylvania, and brief stints in Limuru, Kenya; Donetsk, Ukraine; and Warsaw, Poland. In addition to articles on Old Testament topics in various reference works and academic journals, and contributing to and editing “Mishneh Todah: Studies in Deuteronomy and Its Cultural Environment in Honor of Jeffrey H. Tigay” (2009); I have authored “Deception in Genesis: A Comprehensive Analysis of a Unique Biblical Phenomenon” (2001); “The Prophet and His Message: Reading Old Testament Prophecy Today” (2003); and, most recently, “How to Read the Bible through the Jesus Lens: A Guide to Christ-Focused Reading of Scripture” (2012). My amazing wife, Dawn, and I enjoy hiking and all things outdoors.
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“From Biblical Book to Biblical Hook” Chart adapted from Dr. Michael James Williams Book |
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Title for 1&2 Chronicles |
1&2 Chronicles: Theme |
2 Chronicles 7:17-18 |
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“Encouragement” |
God encourages postexilic Israel by means of an account of Davidic kings who acknowledge the Lord’s rule.
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“And as for you, if you will walk before me as David your father walked, doing according to all that I have commanded you and keeping my statutes and my rules, then I will establish your royal throne, as I covenanted with David your father, saying, ‘You shall not lack a man to rule Israel.’” |
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Christ-Focus in 1&2 Chronicles God encourages us by means of an account of Jesus, in the line of David, who has perfectly done all that the Father has commanded. And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” – Revelation 5:5
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Implications from 1&2 Chronicles Be encouraged by the fact that Christ has perfectly kept the covenant and accomplished our salvation. “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” – Romans 10:4 |
Hooks from 1&2 Chronicles Are you good enough to go to heaven? Do you behave as though you were? Do you expect other Christians to behave as though they were? If you are relying on your own righteousness (whatever that is) to bring about or maintain your relationship with God, then what do you think Christ’s righteousness accomplished? How do you acknowledge the Lord’s rule in your own circumstances? Do you regard yourself as a subject of King Jesus? If someone watched you during the day, who would they say really ruled your life? Jesus? Public opinion? You? |
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