I finished my survey of the use of the gospel in the New Testament. Starting tomorrow, I'm interested to see how the use of the law in the New Testament relates to evangelism. I've written 92 since my writing leave began....Keep Reading

Page count as of today stands at 309. I spent a good bit of my time looking how Paul uses the gospel in Romans, Ephesians, and Philippians. It is telling and encouraging how the apostle to the Gentiles, the one set apart for the gospel of God, ends his letter to the Ephesians by asking them not once, but twice, to pray for his boldness. Pray "also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak" (Ephesians 6:19...Keep Reading

Dissertation Writing Leave Day 4: Today was my day off from writing. I finished memorizing Ephesians 1. One of the many things that has stood out to me as I've memorized this chapter is how Christ-centered God is. As you look over Ephesians , see how many times you can spot "in Christ," "in him," "in the Beloved," and "in the Lord Jesus." Behold the glory that is in Christ:...Keep Reading

Dissertation Writing Leave Day 3: Began my look at Paul's use of the gospel in his letters. Of the 76 times gospel appears in the New Testament, 60 of the uses are Paul. In which of his letters do you think he referenced the gospel the most? It's a tie between Romans and Philippians....Keep Reading

Second day of my writing leave: My dissertation is sitting at 255 pages. Today I spent time looking at how Mark uses the word gospel. It was interesting to note how only Matthew and Mark use the word gospel (but never define it). The word gospel is absent from the gospels of Luke and John. I was also very encouraged to read a sermon by Clement of Alexandria, who died in AD 215. Listen to how he pleads: ...Keep Reading