2433. The world neither acknowledges nor believes in the hidden treasures of God; it cannot be disputed that an obedient maid, a true diligent servant, and a child-bearing wife are far above a praying monk, who does not see beyond his grub; each, however, under the command and control of God   (p. 111).

2506. The joy of a religious spouse. The greatest joy is to have a religious spouse, one to whom you can entrust everything and depend upon, with whom you can raise children, and so. God puts a lot into a marriage, without the parties giving much thought to it in advance. Katie, you have a religious husband, you are an empress! Thank God for it! But only good and God-fearing people reach such a level.   (p. 45-46).

This week my latest book has been released: Making All Things New: Inaugurated Eschatology for the Life of the Church. I teamed up with my good friend Ben Gladd, who is a professor at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi. Together we have tried to explain how the “already/not-yet” dynamic of our redemption in Christ should shape the way we think about the life and ministry of the church. Eschatology is not merely what happens at the end of history. God’s kingdom breaking into this world through Jesus Christ has inaugurated a new creation, a reality that should shape pastoral leadership and be reflected in the life and ministry of the church. Viewed another way, this book is an attempt to flesh out in practical terms the theological vision of G.K. Beale, who was kind enough to write an introductory chapter.

While the main audience for this book is pastors, church leaders, and college/seminary students, anyone who wants to understand how eschatology shapes ecclessiology will benefit from reading it.

You can order a print copy here, or the Kindle version here.

Here are some of the endorsements:

“For those who think that biblical theology (especially the teaching about inaugurated and consummated eschatology) doesn’t relate to daily life and ministry, Gladd and Harmon demonstrate that eschatology permeates every aspect of ministry, from prayer to preaching to missions. The book is filled with practical suggestions, but what makes it unique and powerful is that the practical implications are rooted in what the Scriptures teach about eschatology. Readers will be instructed, edified, and encouraged.”

Thomas R. Schreiner, James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“It’s long been repeated that Christians live in the ‘now’ and the ‘not yet.’ We stand in the middle of an old world dying and a new creation already born in our midst through Jesus Christ. How does this sense of living between the ages shape our conception of the church, pastoring, and ministry? In this book two younger scholars, with the assistance of Greg Beale, show what it means to be end-time people. They offer some great theological reflections and practical advice on how to lead people who are waiting with patience and purpose for the day when God is all in all.”

Michael F. Bird, lecturer in theology, Ridley College, Melbourne, Australia

“Here is where ecclesiology and eschatology meet. Although end-times teaching is woven into the fabric of God’s Word, what this teaching says about the church is seldom considered by pastors. A careful look at Scripture shows that the church is a profoundly eschatological community. Gladd and Harmon offer skillful guidance on how a biblical understanding of the end times is crucial to the church’s ministry and to its very identity for today. By looking at the entirety of the biblical witness, they demonstrate that God’s eschatological design for the church is both a future hope and a present reality.”

Daniel M. Gurtner, professor of New Testament, Bethel Seminary

“In what amounts to a carefully guided tour of biblical theology for the church, Gladd and Harmon offer a biblically thick description of Scripture’s redemptive narrative. Writing in careful scholarly detail yet in an accessible manner that never loses sight of the big picture, Gladd and Harmon exhort the church and its pastoral leadership to be the end-time people of God, encouraging them to recognize their place within Scripture’s redemptive storyline. A very helpful combination of scholarly precision and pastoral sensitivity.”

Darian Lockett, associate professor of biblical and theological studies, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University

“Making All Things New is a clear and helpful guide that will enable all Christians to understand why inaugurated eschatology is not just something for the seminary classroom but a doctrine to be lived out and rejoiced in. Gladd and Harmon have done us a great service by demonstrating in a compelling way why eschatology matters in the life of the church. Anyone who is serious about understanding one of the most important aspects of the New Testament ought to read and apply this book.”

Chris Bruno, author of The Whole Story of the Bible in 16 Verses

“Gladd and Harmon apply to pastoral ministry the inaugurated eschatology they learned from Greg Beale. The book repeatedly moves from sound exegesis to theology to application.”

Andy Naselli, assistant professor of New Testament and biblical theology, Bethlehem College and Seminary, Minneapolis

“What a marvelous book! Gladd and Harmon team up to explore the interface between inaugurated eschatology and pastoral ministry. This book will serve as an excellent resource not only for those training for ministry but for those slogging it out in ministry and looking to reinvigorate their understanding of ministry as an end-time event among God’s people. Gladd and Harmon have achieved the rare feat of writing a book that is both substantive and useful, insightful and practical, scholarly and churchly–a model of what I would call ‘ecclesial theology.’ I recommend it highly!”

Todd Wilson, senior pastor, Calvary Memorial Church

3339. It is a wonder that people are so self-confident and presumptuous.Especially considering that we have more than sufficient reason to be humble. In no hour are we safe from death. Even the development of the grains, upon which we depend on for nourishment, does not lie in our hands. Likewise, the sun and the air, which sustains us, are not in our power , nor the day nor sleep, not to mention spiritual matters; for example, private and public sins, by which we are tortured. But our hearts are hard as steel, and none of it bothers us. (p. 245).

5224. What a rich God is our God! He gives enough, but we do not appreciate it. He gave Adam the entire world. He was not satisfied with it; he was concerned with that one tree, and had to ask why God had forbidden it. That is the way it is today. God has given us enough to learn in his revealed Word. But we don’t bother with it, and search for His hidden will, and still cannot experience Him. Therefore, it will serve us right if that is the reason for our downfall.  (p. 162)

1810. God treats kings the way children do a card game. While they are playing, they hold the cards in their hands; afterwards, they throw them in the corner, or under a bench, or on the rubbish pile. That is exactly how God handles those in power. As long as they are in power, He thinks of them as useful, but as soon as they go too far, He knocks them off their throne and lets them lie there, like the King of Denmark, and so on.  (p. 187)

5528. Sing, dear children, sing about the newborn child! For if we don’t sing about Him, who should we sing about? Turkey, Greece, Israel, and the greater part of Germany are all silent. Only a few sing. Nevertheless, the dear angels sing and marvel over his birth, which is so lowly and so high. For they come down here and look into the depths of hell, in other words, how He became flesh; before long, they look to heaven and see Him in all His majesty, and cannot marvel enough over that, that the highest majesty would submit to becoming so low and then again that the ordinary was the most high  (p. 435-36).

In 2 Peter 2:17-22 Peter continues his description of the false teachers and transitions into describing the state of those who have fallen prey to their errors. Instead of providing living water through the preaching of the gospel they are waterless springs. Instead of helping people get grounded in the truth of the gospel, they are mists driven by storms. Like skilled fishermen they lure the unsuspecting into their errors using sexual immorality and the empty promise of freedom.

Those who once professed faith in Christ but have now embraced the false teaching are in a dangerous position. Because they know the truth and have departed from it are in a worse state than unbelievers. They are like dogs who return to their vomit and pigs who wallow in the mud.

Want to hear more? You can use the handout and listen to the audio below.

Week 9 – 2 Peter 2,17-22 (Handout)

6532. Whenever God has something important to carry out, he undertakes to do it through a human, and then assists him who undertakes such work at God’s command, so that he may be able to carry it out and triumph over His enemies (in spite of their fierce resistance and opposition).  (p. 451).