I've been sending my work in Microsoft Word documents to various individuals over the past couple of decades. Cyberspace is a much better way to share my efforts.
No two theologians have ever agreed on everything in Scripture, so don't be surprised if you find something here that upsets your theological applecart. Relax. He will straighten me out when I get to heaven!
You're probably wondering if you can trust my exegesis. Of course you can! I obtained my exegetical training from professors at Western Theological Seminary, Dallas Theological Seminary, and Regents College. Do I have any theological beliefs that color my work? Like every other student of the Word, of course I do! In case you want to know what some of them are, I'm going to share a few of them with you here.
No two theologians have ever agreed on everything in Scripture, so don't be surprised if you find something here that upsets your theological applecart. Relax. He will straighten me out when I get to heaven!
You're probably wondering if you can trust my exegesis. Of course you can! I obtained my exegetical training from professors at Western Theological Seminary, Dallas Theological Seminary, and Regents College. Do I have any theological beliefs that color my work? Like every other student of the Word, of course I do! In case you want to know what some of them are, I'm going to share a few of them with you here.
You might wonder why I would tell you up front what my theological tendencies are. Well, in case you hang around this site for awhile, and begin wondering where on earth I came up with a particular translation of some passage in Scripture, you now have a frame-of-reference to work from!
My interest is primarily in verse-by-verse exegesis. By sticking to this approach, I believe Scripture itself will teach us what we need to know as often as we need to know it. This approach prevents me from getting on a soapbox and running some pet theology into the ground. There are already many systematic theology texts available, so my motivation is not geared towards creating another.
If you don't see something my way, it is probably because (a) as a believer you don't adhere to one or more of the above categories of doctrine, (b) you are an unbeliever with no affiliations with any type of theology or philosophy on religion, or (c) you are knowingly or unknowingly involved in a cult.
If you don't adhere to the Deity of Christ and its closely-related doctrine of the Trinity, you are not a Christian. I believe this constitutes the "lowest common denominator" to enable a person to call himself/herself a Christian. The death, burial, resurrection, ascension and session of Christ is of paramount importance. If you have a problem with this fact, the issue for you is to "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved." Apart from this, most of what you encounter in this website will be clear as mud.
My interest is primarily in verse-by-verse exegesis. By sticking to this approach, I believe Scripture itself will teach us what we need to know as often as we need to know it. This approach prevents me from getting on a soapbox and running some pet theology into the ground. There are already many systematic theology texts available, so my motivation is not geared towards creating another.
If you don't see something my way, it is probably because (a) as a believer you don't adhere to one or more of the above categories of doctrine, (b) you are an unbeliever with no affiliations with any type of theology or philosophy on religion, or (c) you are knowingly or unknowingly involved in a cult.
If you don't adhere to the Deity of Christ and its closely-related doctrine of the Trinity, you are not a Christian. I believe this constitutes the "lowest common denominator" to enable a person to call himself/herself a Christian. The death, burial, resurrection, ascension and session of Christ is of paramount importance. If you have a problem with this fact, the issue for you is to "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved." Apart from this, most of what you encounter in this website will be clear as mud.
DEDICATIONS
It is fitting and proper as the author of this web site, that I should dedicate its contents to a few of the outstanding men of grace and learning that have prepared me for the ministry. Each of them provided me with a degree of proficiency in an important area of theological training above and beyond the basic classroom experience. Any deficiency I may have in their field of expertise is, of course, my fault - for not metabolizing everything they had to offer! What I did learn from them, however, I pray the Lord will use in some degree to the benefit of His unseen, internet church.
When I first enrolled in a Bible college, Dr. Keith Lamb taught me the essentials of dispensational theology, typology and the doctrines of grace. I still have many of his lectures on cassette tape and listen to them once a year for good measure. Keith, it was a privilege having you as my professor for those first few years.
I read a pamphlet on the 5 points of Calvinism in 1981 and knew immediately that all 5 points were absolute truth. True Calvinist mentors in Austin were hard to find back then! Jackson Boyett taught me Reformed Theology both in the classroom and in his home. Jackson, thank you for your wonderful library, radio humor, and open-door policy.
Two pastors who influenced my thinking in those early days were Dr. Sid Buzzell and Ralph Braun. It was an honor having you both as pastors. Little did you know that I was attending both of your churches at the same time – learning eschatology from Sid and Greek from Ralph. (I don't recommend this dual-pastor practice to others)
My love for the original languages of Scripture was greatly influenced by Dr. Dennis Wretlind. I prayed for a Greek & Hebrew professor to be brought to my geographical location, and he was soon hired as an answer to that prayer. Dennis, thank you for reviewing my classroom exegesis and asking me, “Are you sure you want to go there?”
My favorite theological book (Reign of the Servant Kings) was written by Dr. Joseph Dillow, who visited my Greek, Hebrew and Hermeneutics classes. Jody, our after-class conversations were an inspiration. I still read your book once a year just to make sure the rewards which are accruing for the metachoi are foremost in mind.
My pastor in Phoenix for several years, John Miller, pounded the mechanics of the Christian way of life into me six days a week. Yes, our fellowship met for Bible study every evening except Saturday. It was the kindness of God to bring me to John’s church during a difficult time in my life.
I have obtained more training, in person and by tape ministry, from Robert B. Thieme, Jr. than all other pastors and teachers combined. I acknowledge my indebtedness to Bob for any progress I have made on the road to supergrace. Much of my exegetical, analytical thinking originates to a significant degree from the Colonel. On occasion, my wife and I still attend Berachah where his son, Robert B. Thieme, III current teaches.
Since the passing of Colonel Thieme, my affiliations have broadened to a number of professors who speak at the annual Pretrib conference in Dallas. Some of these gentlemen are: Tommy Ice, Mark Hitchcock, Robert Dean, Andy Woods, Randall Price, Arnold Fruchtenbaum, and Michael Vlach.
I attended my first Evangelical Theological Society conference (San Antonio) and am making friends with several professors at "the other GCU" in Michigan, Grace Christian University. Over the past decade, I have become a firm Mid-Acts Church proponent.
Providence has also given me three good friends whom I have ‘studied with’ and ‘learned from’ over the years:
Miles McKee keeps me informed on his evangelistic endeavors in India and Ireland.
Danny Williams travels across the country lecturing at military bases (one of the most famous counterintelligence officers in history).
Peter Osterhus and members of his extended family debate many of the topics in my books and offer occasional suggestions.
What a magnificent list of benefactors for one person to know!
When I first enrolled in a Bible college, Dr. Keith Lamb taught me the essentials of dispensational theology, typology and the doctrines of grace. I still have many of his lectures on cassette tape and listen to them once a year for good measure. Keith, it was a privilege having you as my professor for those first few years.
I read a pamphlet on the 5 points of Calvinism in 1981 and knew immediately that all 5 points were absolute truth. True Calvinist mentors in Austin were hard to find back then! Jackson Boyett taught me Reformed Theology both in the classroom and in his home. Jackson, thank you for your wonderful library, radio humor, and open-door policy.
Two pastors who influenced my thinking in those early days were Dr. Sid Buzzell and Ralph Braun. It was an honor having you both as pastors. Little did you know that I was attending both of your churches at the same time – learning eschatology from Sid and Greek from Ralph. (I don't recommend this dual-pastor practice to others)
My love for the original languages of Scripture was greatly influenced by Dr. Dennis Wretlind. I prayed for a Greek & Hebrew professor to be brought to my geographical location, and he was soon hired as an answer to that prayer. Dennis, thank you for reviewing my classroom exegesis and asking me, “Are you sure you want to go there?”
My favorite theological book (Reign of the Servant Kings) was written by Dr. Joseph Dillow, who visited my Greek, Hebrew and Hermeneutics classes. Jody, our after-class conversations were an inspiration. I still read your book once a year just to make sure the rewards which are accruing for the metachoi are foremost in mind.
My pastor in Phoenix for several years, John Miller, pounded the mechanics of the Christian way of life into me six days a week. Yes, our fellowship met for Bible study every evening except Saturday. It was the kindness of God to bring me to John’s church during a difficult time in my life.
I have obtained more training, in person and by tape ministry, from Robert B. Thieme, Jr. than all other pastors and teachers combined. I acknowledge my indebtedness to Bob for any progress I have made on the road to supergrace. Much of my exegetical, analytical thinking originates to a significant degree from the Colonel. On occasion, my wife and I still attend Berachah where his son, Robert B. Thieme, III current teaches.
Since the passing of Colonel Thieme, my affiliations have broadened to a number of professors who speak at the annual Pretrib conference in Dallas. Some of these gentlemen are: Tommy Ice, Mark Hitchcock, Robert Dean, Andy Woods, Randall Price, Arnold Fruchtenbaum, and Michael Vlach.
I attended my first Evangelical Theological Society conference (San Antonio) and am making friends with several professors at "the other GCU" in Michigan, Grace Christian University. Over the past decade, I have become a firm Mid-Acts Church proponent.
Providence has also given me three good friends whom I have ‘studied with’ and ‘learned from’ over the years:
Miles McKee keeps me informed on his evangelistic endeavors in India and Ireland.
Danny Williams travels across the country lecturing at military bases (one of the most famous counterintelligence officers in history).
Peter Osterhus and members of his extended family debate many of the topics in my books and offer occasional suggestions.
What a magnificent list of benefactors for one person to know!