Walking in Love
PassageRomans 14:13-16 PrayerDear Father, to whom all will bow,Help me not pass judgment on others or despise them. Let me look to myself in view of the fact that I will have to give an account for my own self.You have said, "As I live every knee shall bow to…Read more
Curiosity Is an Act of Worship
Curiosity Is an Act of Worship And one thing I know about curiosity: it’s democratic. Anyone, anywhere, of any age or education level, can use it.—Brian Grazer I love concepts and ideas. They energize me. But at some point ideas must be broken down into workable pieces, bits that people…Read more
Theology, Church History, and Guarding the Good Deposit
Follow @BrandonSmith85 Photo courtesy: Neuestock When I began working with the Christian Standard Bible, my first priority was to dig into the history of the translation. I wanted to know who was involved, how it was developed, how it was marketed over the years, and how many Bibles were out…Read more
Mutual Acceptance
PassageRomans 14:1-16 PrayerDear Father, foundation of all our lives,Make me compassionate and generous toward my brothers and sisters in Christ. Let us welcome each other, and not dispute over opinions. May I never pass judgment on a brother or sister, for you have welcomed them. They are your servants. It…Read more
When the Book of Revelation Takes a Swing at a Roman Emperor
Follow @BrandonSmith85 Photo courtesy: Craig Koester via the Classical Numismatic Group. While compiling notes for my dissertation and forthcoming book on the Book of Revelation, I came across this note on Revelation 1:16 in Craig Koester’s Revelation commentary: The section climaxes by noting that [Jesus] holds seven stars in his…Read more
Staying Awake
PassageRomans 13:11-14 PrayerDear Father, victorious deliverer,May I be found in Christ, not trusting any righteousness of my own. Let me know him and the power of his resurrection. May I share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, so I might attain the resurrection of the dead.O God, let…Read more