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Reframing Romans 11:25–27: Gentile Fullness and the Salvation of Israel in Paul’s Generation

For the past 8 months, I’ve been working on an academic essay titled Reframing Romans 11:25–27: Gentile Fullness and the Salvation of Israel in Paul’s Generation . The core question driving the project is a familiar one: What does Paul mean by “the fullness of the Gentiles,” and how does that relate to the salvation of “all Israel”? A common interpretation—especially in futurist and dispensational readings—understands the “fullness of the Gentiles” as a massive, end-of-history ingathering of Gentile converts, followed by a large-scale conversion of ethnic Israel at some distant point in the future. The problem, however, is that this scenario remains perpetually deferred. Two thousand years later, the fulfillment is always still just ahead. My argument is that there is a more coherent way to read Romans 11:25–27—one that takes seriously the New Testament’s own redemptive-historical framework and the expectations shared by its authors. In th...

Hebrews 12 and the Shape of New Testament Eschatology

While reading Hebrews 12:22–29 the other day, the language and references began to generate a series of familiar associations. Zion led to angels, angels to judgment, and judgment—almost inevitably—back to Matthew’s Olivet Discourse. From there, Daniel and Paul quickly came into view. Rather than feeling scattered, these connections reinforced a pattern evident across the New Testament, namely, that Scripture clarifies Scripture and in doing so shapes the contours of its own eschatological claims. Hebrews (12:22–29) speaks with striking confidence about where its readers already stand. They have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, to the heavenly Jerusalem. This is not presented as a destination awaiting fulfillment, but as a present covenantal reality. What follows reinforces that point: angels gathered in festal assembly, the assembly of the firstborn, God identified as Judge, and the spirits of the righteous made perfect. The emphasis throughout is ...

Does Matthew 24:34 Demand a First Century Fulfillment?

A few days ago, I shared a brief statement from Gary DeMar on Facebook: “The great tribulation mentioned in Matthew 24:21 took place before that generation passed away. Verse 34 demands it.” I simply replied, “Yup.” Shortly afterward, a pastor who opposes preterism responded, claiming that “verse 34 does not demand it,” and posted a lengthy excerpt from an article to support his objection. What follows is a summary of the key ideas from his critique, and then my rebuttal. I do not address every minor detail of his post, because the central issue—his handling of “all these things” and the structure of the discourse—renders the rest of his points irrelevant. Before offering a response, it’s helpful to note the main thrust of the critique I’m addressing. The critic argues that “all these things” in Matthew 24:34 does not include the coming of the Son of Man in vv. 29–31, but refers only to preliminary first-century signs. On this basis, he separates vv. 29–31 into ...

The Logic of “This Generation” A Syllogistic Case for Why Jesus’ Prophecy Belonged to His Disciples’ Lifetime

In the New Testament Gospels, the only times the disciples ever seem confused about what Jesus is saying are the parables. But notice—never in the Olivet Discourse do they stop, scratch their heads, or ask for clarification. It’s almost as if they actually understood him. Meanwhile, modern commentators twist themselves into knots imagining all kinds of futuristic, cosmic scenarios that the text itself never hints at. Yet Jesus looks straight at his disciples, speaks in the second person plural, tells them what they will see, and caps it all off with the unmistakable phrase, “this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.” Taken together, it’s a lock-solid case that the disciples knew exactly what he meant—and that what he described had everything to do with their generation, not some far-off future they’d never live to see. And if you step back and actually think through what’s going on here, the logic is pretty airtight. You don’t even need...

Rethinking the ‘Elements’: Stoicheia and Covenant Renewal in the New Testament

This essay is adapted from my article, " Redemption Accomplished and Applied: Kingdom Inauguration and New Creation in Isaiah 65–66 ." The complete version contains the full footnote material not included here. Introduction In biblical studies, particularly when exploring eschatological themes like the “new heavens and new earth” promised in Isaiah 65:17–25, the Greek term stoicheia (often translated as “elements”) plays a pivotal role in New Testament passages. This phrase from Isaiah has historically been debated: Does it foretell a literal cosmic re-creation, or does it symbolize covenantal renewal through divine judgment and restoration? Building on a redemptive-historical reading—often aligned with partial preterism—this interpretation views Isaiah’s vision as the inauguration of God’s kingdom, fulfilled in Christ’s first advent and progressively applied through the Spirit’s work in the covenant community. This perspective extends to the...

Redemption Accomplished and Applied: Kingdom Inauguration and New Creation in Isaiah 65–66

For the past 9 months I have been working on a paper that offers a redemptive-historical reading of Isaiah 65:17–25. After a few revisions based on reviewer comments, I am finally done, and I am quite happy with it. It is lengthy (28 pages/18k words), so it not suitable for publication with a journal. It is available on my Academia.edu page , and now I have made it available on my blog. Below is the abstract, and here is the link to download it. Abstract This article offers a redemptive-historical reading of Isaiah 65:17–25, interpreting the promise of a “new heavens and a new earth” not as cosmic re-creation, but as covenantal renewal achieved through judgment and restoration. By tracing how Isaiah consistently intertwines Zion and creation motifs—casting renewed Jerusalem as the locus of divine presence, justice, and Edenic flourishing—this study situates Isaiah 65 within the prophet’s broader theological vision. Rather than presenting a blueprint for material renov...

Psalm 2 under the Light of the New Testament

Psalm 2 is a foundational text for understanding the New Testament’s portrayal of Jesus as the exalted Son and King. While it originally spoke to events in David’s time, the way the New Testament authors invoke and interpret this psalm reveals a deeper fulfillment in the person and work of Christ. This post examines how Psalm 2 is read through the lens of the New Testament, especially in relation to Christ’s death, resurrection, ascension, and authority over the nations Psalm 2, though rooted in the historical context of David’s time, finds its “substance” fulfilled in Christ. As Calvin writes, “But it is now high time to come to the substance of the type. ”[1] Calvin’s observation rightly distinguishes substance from type and resists interpreting Psalm 2 in terms of double fulfillment. Moreover, biblical theologians must not read the Old Testament as though the New does not exist.[2] Rather, they must read the Old through the light of the New. Failing ...

ChatGPT as a Research Assistant in Biblical Studies: A (Brief) Case Study in Eschatology

In the ever-evolving landscape of academic research, scholars are constantly seeking ways to streamline their workflow while maintaining the rigor and depth required for serious scholarship. AI-driven tools like ChatGPT have emerged as potential research assistants, capable of synthesizing vast amounts of information, organizing complex arguments, and even analyzing uploaded academic texts. But how well does it actually perform in a field as intricate as biblical studies—particularly in the study of eschatology and early Christian apocalyptic thought? This review explores the strengths and limitations of ChatGPT in structuring, refining, and supporting research on eschatological themes, using 2 Thessalonians 2 and its historical interpretations as a case study (Well, it is the topic of research for a book I am working on). “My” review comes from 20+ hours utilizing the paid version of ChatGPT. I have My in quotes because while the review ...