Joel Johnson | Biblical History & Theology

“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness that of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith - that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” (Phil 3:7-11, ESV)  What was Paul’s ultimate aim, in his life and death? It wasn’t to look good; that is why he counted his impeccable Israelite heritage and his academic achievements as loss rather than gain. It wasn’t to be a suffering martyr. It wasn’t to convert as many people as he could. It wasn’t to preach the gospel to the ends of t...

  When I was at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory a few years ago, I came across this newspaper clipping - a piece by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle promoting “reform” of the divorce laws that existed at the time (ca. 1914). This was actually a shock to me, as I only knew Doyle through the Sherlock Holmes series - and although single, Sherlock stays within the social norms of a classic English gentleman.  Although I couldn't find the exact date, this newspaper piece wasn't a one-off case for Doyle; he was president of the Divorce Law Reform Union. He called the Separation Act of 1895 “the most ingenious Bill for producing immorality that could ever have been devised” and said that police magistrates that the lower classes were rotten through and through owing to this law. Doyle claimed that divorce was a deplorable cure for a deplorable state of things. Chaining a woman to a lunatic, drunkard or criminal for life was not conducive to human flourishing. His proposed ...

This first 9 chapters of Mark focus on Jesus' ministry around the countryside of Judea, before he began to head toward Jerusalem for the final fateful Passover. These initial chapters highlight Jesus' character, power and message.  Please feel free to share, download and reproduce these Bible verse graphics/wallpapers. No attribution is required - all are freely given for the sake of the gospel.  “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way” — a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ”  Mark 1:2b-3 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”  Mark 1:11 “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17b Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. But the time will come when the bridegroom ...