In chapter two of The Story Retold: A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the New Testament, the authors state, “For a variety of reasons, many scholars argue that Jesus and the New Testament authors did not cite the Old Testament in accordance with its original meaning. These scholars contend that, on occasion, the New Testament writers do not respect the original meaning of Old Testament quotations or allusions.”[1] In fact, there are many scholars who believe New Testament writers freely disregarded the original contexts of many Old Testament passages or followed Jewish interpreti ..read more

By the free and sovereign grace of the Triune God, I have salvation in Jesus Christ. The giver of every good gift and every perfect gift has given me a believing spouse—fit for me as a helpmate. Rachel Dawn is a sacrificial servant, worthy of imitation; she is my greatest earthen treasure. Together, we have three children: Geneva, Benjamin, and Bristol. Our family resides in Southern Kentucky, near Clarksville, TN. As of this year, I am one of the Pastors of Covenant Baptist Church (Clarksville). After a two-year internship, with extensive mentorship from my Pastor, Ron Miller, our congregatio ..read more

    How important is the right preaching of the law and the gospel? Calvin’s successor, Theodore Beza, once observed, “Ignorance of this distinction between Law and Gospel is one of the principle sources of the abuses which corrupted and still corrupt Christianity.” Preaching Christ from all of scripture comes as a result of upholding this distinction. Holding out Christ in this way not only protects the church from antinomianism and licentiousness, but it also protects the church from moralism— a pervasive practice in many “churches” that not only comes out explicitly, but in the to ..read more

  Keeping the Sabbath remains a biblical and invigorating practice in Christian spirituality. The example and blessing of this practice is here illustrated through the life of the long eighteenth century American Baptist, Jeremiah Chaplin.   Introduction How does a person keep the Sabbath? When Andrew Fuller (1754–1815) described keeping Sabbath as a moral duty, he was distinguishing Sabbath rest as a holy practice to be kept beyond the ceremonial and civil laws of Israel.[1] Sabbath, the Lord’s Day, is a perpetual law established in the creation account, prior to but advanced throug ..read more

  A transparent examination of motives, purpose and conscience gives rise to Job’s next defense of his integrity before God. He has not had a secret life of evil and lived as a hypocrite, nor has his land nor his tenants suffered at his hand. Verses 33, 34 and then 38-40 set forth Job’s testimony of blamelessness in these matters. Though his accusers had accused him of concealing what must obviously be a great sin (20:12), Job claimed that he hid nothing and held nothing illicit near his heart. Job does not deny that he has transgressions and iniquity. He denies hiding them. He had no min ..read more

    Having given an account of his conduct concerning his accountability to the second table of the commandments, Job now looks at his awareness of the accountability set forth in the first table. He claims that he has avoided idolatry (24-28). Job, though he had great possessions, did not give his trust even to the most precious of these. Again, he showed an insight that is emphasized by Jesus when he told of a man that had great wealth; this man spoke to himself and said “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” But God said to him, “Fool! Th ..read more

  Many Christians think all sins are the same. Have you ever heard that before? Imagine someone commits a horrible crime. Let’s say, for example, a man murders his whole family. And when the community hears about it, they’re outraged. But then imagine that some Christians say, “We need to remember that we’re all sinners.” “We all deserve to go to hell.” “None of us is really different from the murderer.” But is it true that all people are equally sinful? If someone has sinful anger in his heart, but never acts on it, is that person really the same as someone who has sinful anger in his h ..read more

  Job claims honesty in all his dealings with others (31:5-8). Job now begins a series of possible conditions that would justly bring about divine judgment on him – “If I have walked with falsehood . . . If my step has turned aside from the way.” About seventeen sections begin with “If I have . . .” Sometimes, these “If” clauses contain more than one conceived action. They are followed by what Job would consider a just consequence of retribution. He is setting out in a clear and candid way the propositions of the accepted sin-and-punishment code of the day. He is letting those know who wi ..read more

  My name is John Zacchio Jr., and I am married to my wonderful wife Faith Zacchio. Together, we are raising 2 beautiful children (Josiah & Maeve) while we await the arrival of our third baby boy, Owen. We live in Southern California, in San Diego County, where I serve as a pastor of Faith Community Church, Carlsbad. This summer I am graduating with my M.A. in Theological Studies and I want to express how thankful I am thankful I am for my education at CBTS. I have the privilege of Pastoring alongside other elders in our church through leading the music ministry, facilitating disciple ..read more

    Here in the finale of Job’s last appeal for a hearing with God, he lays out his case that he is willing to plead with this all-powerful being that seems to be his adversary. He laments the loss of former days of favor with God and man (Job 29:1-11) He was an oracle of wisdom and a power for righteousness and justice (29:12-17). He sensed that all his days would be filled with renewed and increasing security, prosperity, health, and strength (29:18-20). The regard given him by people was of implicit trust and virtually self-evident truthfulness of insight. “After my words they did ..read more