Bible Study Magazine—January–February 2019 Issue

An Interview with J.I. Packer: The Catechism of Knowing God

Among the millions of books that have been written through the ages, those that endure we call “classics.” From Plato’s The Republic and Thoreau’s Walden to Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Twain’s Huckleberry Finn — these are the volumes that make the lists of books everyone should read. Among Christian titles, Knowing God by J. I. Packer ranks in the top 50 books that have been most influential in shaping evangelical beliefs. In fact, it makes the top five.

—Rebecca Brant & Jessi Strong

How Could a Crowd of Thousands Hear Jesus Teach?

For many of us, giving a talk to a room of just 40 or 50 people is a daunting task—even more so without a public address system. Yet Jesus spoke outdoors to crowds 10 times that number. On one occasion, 5,000 men—not including women and children—heard him speak. He so captivated them that they didn’t think about eating (Matt 14:13–21; Mark 6:30–44; Luke 9:10–17; John 6:1–14). Shortly thereafter, 4,000 men, besides women and children, heard his teachings and witnessed his healings, again foregoing food (Matt 15:29–39; Mark 8:1–10). How in the world could crowds so large hear and understand Jesus clearly enough to hang on his words for hours? He obviously had no sound system, nor did he pull his crowds into Greek or Roman theaters to take advantage of their acoustics. Yet thousands flocked to listen to his message.

—Perry Phillips

The Unseen Hand of Providence: Tracing the Theology of a Book That Never Mentions God

The book of Esther does not mention God. It also doesn’t mention the law, the temple, or any of the practices of ancient Israelite religion (with the possible exception of fasting in 4:16). It may, therefore, seem odd to speak of the theology of the book of Esther. Nevertheless, the book of Esther is undeniably in the canon of Scripture of both the synagogue and the church, and therefore, in a sense, God is telling us this story in which he is not explicitly mentioned. Once we understand its theological message, the absence of God is not only appropriate, but is the genius of the book from which flows great hope and encouragement for us today.

—Karen H. Jobes

Did Paul Write Uninspired Letters?

The apostle Paul wrote 13 letters that make up nearly half the books of the New Testament. One of those letters was written to the fledgling church at Colossae. As Paul was closing this letter, he wrote:

Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. (Col 4:15–16 ESV)

This apparent sidebar has drawn the attention of scholars. Verse 16 begins by telling us the obvious: Paul expected “this letter” (Colossians) to be read by the believers at Colossae. But it also makes clear that he wanted the letter (or perhaps a copy) to be sent to Laodicea so believers there could read it. Likewise, the Colossians should make every attempt to read the “letter from Laodicea.” What was this second letter? It would make little sense for Paul to ask that a letter written by someone else be shared with the Colossians. How would he even know of such a letter? Consequently, it seems reasonable to conclude that Paul had written a letter to the Laodicean church—a letter that has since been lost.

—Michael S. Heiser