1 Tim 1:12-17--"Paul's life and ours"

On Sunday I preached at Community Church of Appleton on 1 Tim 1:12-17. The sermon was entitled "Paul's Life and Ours." Here is a brief description:

We all have the seeds within us to do the most brutal and sinful acts. Only Christ working in us can transform our lives from the inside out. He transforms us in a fundamental way because our lives are not just about ourselves. As we apply this transformation, we become more like Christ so that, by God's grace, people will see something of Him when they see us.

Both the audio and a PDF of the message are available on the "sermons" page of the ECLEA website: http://www.eclea.net/sermons.html

"Biblical Eschatology" listing on Pinterest

I am happy to see that my book, Biblical Eschatology, has been included among a number of excellent books by Rogue Valley Fellowship of Medford, OR in its listing of "Books on Theology" on Pinterest.

Here is the link: http://www.pinterest.com/rvfpin/books-on-theology/

Return from East Africa + auto accident

I recently returned from Burundi and Uganda. Updates of that trip are on the "News" page of the ECLEA website (http://www.eclea.net/news.html).

Today I received an email from Michael Taari, ECLEA's coastal region coordinator in Kenya. Here is what he said:

"As I was travelling back to Nairobi from our annual conference in Voi I was involved in a car accident with my wife but we were able to come out alive. I got some injuries on my head and back. I have been at home now for two weeks without doing anything but I am trusting God that I will be well soon. Next week on Thursday we have our ECLEA conference at Voi. The people are waiting for us and I believe all will be well."

Michael Taari

God bless you, Michael. We hold you up in our prayers.

ECLEA's "Biblical Marriage & Parenting" now in Kirundi!

National flag of Burundi

One of our efforts at ECLEA is to get our teaching books translated into the major languages of East Africa. The national language of Burundi is Kirundi. I am happy to say that, under the leadership of Frederic Harerimana, ECLEA-Burundi's national coordinator, and our partners at Rema Ministries, ECLEA's teaching book on Biblical Marriage & Parenting recently was translated into Kirundi.

That book, along with ECLEA's other teaching books, has been posted to the "Courses" page on ECLEA's website (http://www.eclea.net/courses.html) and may be read and downloaded for free.

Biblical Eschatology: contributing to the discussion

My book, Biblical Eschatology, was recently cited and quoted from in a thread on forums.carm.org concerning "Biblical Prophecies and Geography." CARM stands for "Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry." On July 27 one contributor posted the following:

Here's an interpretation that I favor given the context of 'lightning' elsewhere in the NT.

According to Biblical Eschatology by Jonathan Menn, 'lightning' as used in both the OT and NT conveys the idea of divine judgment, retribution, and warfare. The Hebrew word brq refers to the theophanic (manifestation of God to people) presence of Yahweh.

W. Sibley Towner says "Lightning as a feature of the end of the age is almost the only use made of the imagery in the NT (see Matt. 24:27; Luke 17:24 and esp. Rev. 4:5; 8:5; 11:19; 16:18), although the association with theophany is also reutilized (Matt. 28:3)."

Jonathan Menn in his book Biblical Eschatology goes on to say "Rev. 8:5; 11:19; 16:18 are particularly important in that the context there is judgment that accompanies the parousia. Lightning as judgment is also used when Jesus speaks of Satan's fall in Luke 10:18."

Menn continues, "Finally, lightning as judgment is indicated by the fact that lightning is associated with, if not identical to, "fire from heaven" which always indicates God's judgment: either his judgment on his enemies, or his presence among his people and acceptance of their sacrifices. Thus in the OT the eschatological judgment of the "day of the Lord" is described in terms of fire. Likewise, in the NT the judgment that accompanies the parousia is described in terms of fire."

I'm happy to see that, slowly by slowly, the book is getting exposure and is contributing to the ongoing discussion of biblical eschatology.

Expository Preaching now in Kiswahili!

ECLEA's teaching book Expository Preaching has now been updated and translated into Kiswahili. Both the English and Kiswahili versions are posted on the "courses" page of the ECLEA website (http://www.eclea.net/courses.html). Enjoy!

A participant's view of ECLEA's all-African conferences

When I receive reports of all-African conferences and TOTs from ECLEA's East African teachers, I post them on the "news" page of ECLEA's website (http://www.eclea.net/news.html). I just received an email from a participant who attended one such conference in Kenya. Here is what he said:

I have been in a seminar where Bishop Ernest & Bishop Justus have empowered us with Biblical Stewardship. We were blessed much. We were so grateful for the manual. We will study & teach others also.

Pastor Raphael Chitayi, Growth Church (Kitale)

 

ECLEA is making a difference. Thank all of you who support this important ministry with your prayers and finances.