Latest Blog Posts
Troubled Times Call for Honest Hymns
When we face difficulties in this life, we usually turn to someone or something for comfort, encouragement, hope, direction, and/or advice. As believers, we often open our Bible to the Psalms. Forty years ago I had experienced several long nights of pain and inability to sleep. Later, it turned out that I had fractured three vertebrae
Works, Words, and Wisdom–Divine and Human
Works, Words, and Wisdom—Divine and Human Psalm 111 by William D. Barrick Commencement Address—Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary May 12, 2016 Introduction A professor had just finished the final lecture for his introductory course in philosophy. One of the students said, “You have knocked a hole in everything I’ve ever believed in, and you have
Prophetic Studies Series
In September of 2015 I presented a series of studies on prophecy at Word of Grace Church in Battle Ground, WA. The series title is “Prophets in the Life of a Believer.” The series was also translated into Russian. Here are the video messages and links to both the English and Russian: Session 1: “What
Enemies of Truth Willingly Falsify
Isn’t it amazing how truth attracts falsehood and how enemies of truth will even manufacture a falsehood as their weak attempt to battle truth? Jesus pointed to the source of such falsification when He said that Satan was “a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). Yes, Satan was and is the archenemy of divine truth.
The Crescent and the Cross
At the 2016 Shepherd’s Conference on March 10, I presented a seminar entitled “The Crescent and the Cross: Engaging Muslims for the Sake of the Gospel.” Here are the pertinent documents: PowerPoint (as PDF) Handout Fuller Notes
Brazilian Creation Conference PowerPoints and Notes–in Portuguese
In June 2015 I had the great privilege of participating in teaching and preaching in Fortaleza, Brazil. The organizers translated my PowerPoint presentations and conference notes into Portuguese. The topic for the conference was Creation. I hope that making these materials available online will be an encouragement to many Portuguese-speaking Christians, lay people and pastors
The Noahic Covenant’s Impact on Caring for Creation
For the 2012 National Meetings of the Evangelical Theological Society I presented a paper providing what I believe to be a biblical contribution to the topic of environmental ethics. Coming on the heels of Earth’s greatest destructive event (the Flood), God’s covenant with Noah provides a window on God’s intent for the restored creation as well
The Doctrine of Inerrancy and the Work of Translation
Bible translation proceeds upon the basis that the base text possesses value. A high view of Scripture moves the translator to higher accuracy in translating the text, greater care in making certain the message does not get skewed, and a consistent reverence for God’s revealed Word. If a text is known to be saturated with error,
Church Covenants–Some Thoughts and Meditations
In Nehemiah’s day, after reading the Word of God together corporately and publicly, and following their careful observance of the Feast of Booths in accord with the instruction of the Law of Moses, the leadership of Israel prayerfully entered into a purposeful covenant in writing and sealed with the names of all participating leaders (Neh
20-20 Vision for 2016
The Moabites, Ammonites, and Edomites all rose up against Judah to force the Southern Kingdom to submit to pagan control. King Jehoshaphat, however, feared God more than the armies arrayed against him and his people. He called for a public fast and stood in the court of the Temple to pray for the Lord’s help.