Nathan Whitley's Blog, page 27

Daily Readings in the Bible Genesis 16-18

Sandra Richter in her book The Epic of Eden wrote “In its native context a covenant was an agreement enacted between two parties in which one or both make promises under an oath to perform or refrain from certain actions stipulated in advance. In other words, a covenant was much like a contract.” God initiated the covenant with Abraham. Abraham was to believe God’s promises and forsake his old life. If Abraham kept his part of the covenant, God would then make of him a great nation, and make...

Daily Readings in the Bible Genesis 11-15

Noah’s sons and their families began to repopulate the earth after the flood. In Genesis chapter eleven records that the the whole earth was one language, and one speech. After the flood the Lord had told Noah to be fruitful and multiply (8:16), which was also a mandate for Adam and Eve (1:28). As God image bearers they were to represent Him on the earth. At Babel the people are in rebellion. The last verse of Genesis chapter 10 says “and from these the nations spread abroad on the earth...

Daily Readings in the Bible Genesis 7-10

Sin increased to the point that it grieved God’s heart. Scripture says that God regretted that He made man in the first place. It got so bad that God decided to rain down judgment. God was going to clear the earth of every living thing. It is a fearful thing to think of God’s long-suffering and mercy wearing thin. And that’s exactly what happened.

Once more, the the light of God’s grace shone through the darkness of sin. Noah found grace in the eyes of God! Frederick Lehman wrote in his hymn...

Daily Readings in the Bible Genesis 4-6

Once Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden, life unexpectedly continued for them. The two of them survived despite the fact that God had told them they would die if they ate from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Again, God’s grace is on display. Sinful man didn’t get what he inevitably deserved.

Adam and Eve became parents to two strapping boys. Cain, the first-born, was a man of the field. Abel, the youngest, was a shepherd. There came a moment when they were to...

Daily Readings in the Bible: Genesis 1-3

The first three chapters of Genesis are difficult to write about in a brief manner. So much unfolds in just three short chapters. The reader is introduced to God and His creative power through His spoken word. God’s authority is displayed because whatever He says happens. Light is created. The waters and the sky are separated. Land appears and is separated from the water. Vegetation begins to spring at the command of God’s word. The Sun, Moon, and stars put in their respective places. Time...

Recommended Reading for Young Ministers

I often get asked about what books I recommend. Most of the time it’s young ministers looking to begin reading. I’ve shared the same list for several years, adding and subtracting over time. I want to share that reading list with you, dear readers.

I have said it before, but it bears repeating: A book recommendation isn’t necessarily an endorsement of an author’s theology or viewpoint upon any given topic. I live by the saying, “take the meat, leave the bones.” In order for you to know how to...

Top Five Books of 2019

As the year dwindles down its time I reflect on the top five books that I read for 2019. I read just over thirty books this year. Well short of my intended goal. While working on a teaching series I spent a lot of time in large books of systematic theology. I read a lot of content this year, I just didn’t get through as many books. With that in mind, I’m only sharing the top five books of 2019. These five books were so good that I felt I would do injustice trying to add five more to the list....

No Room at the Inn

A young couple makes the eighty-mile, three-day trek from Nazareth to Bethlehem. The young lady is about to give birth to a child. This is not any child, but this child had been conceived of the Holy Ghost. She had never known a man, and yet her husband believed God that this would be no ordinary Child.

Multitudes made their way to Bethlehem to pay the Roman sanctioned tax (Lk. 2:1-3). Guests filled family and friend’s houses. Mary and Joseph looked high and low for a place to stay that clear...

Interpreter’s House

Once Christian arrived at the Wicket-Gate Goodwill instructed Christian to go to Interpreter’s house. At Interpreter’s house Christian would be taught about the Christian life, and the realities of discipleship.

Interpreter is a two-fold representation of the Holy Spirit as a teacher, and as those who teach and instruct believers. Interpreter’s house has seven rooms which all give insight to Christian life. Most of the rooms are ominous and need further clarification from Interpreter. This is...

The Wicket Gate

Once Christian left Mt. Sinai with fresh directions from Evangelist, he finally arrived at the Wicket Gate. Above the gate was written: “Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” Christian began to knock and said a prayer:

“May I now enter here? Will He within open to sorry me, though I have been an undeserving rebel? Then shall I not fail to sin His lasting praise on high.”

At last there came to the gate a man named Goodwill. Goodwill asked who was at the door, where he came from, and what he wanted. At once Christian told Goodwill...

“Knock,