Tim’s Blog

Galatians Commentary Update

May 23, 2013

I completed the first draft of Paul’s Travail yesterday, and got it sent off to my draft reviewers this morning. I’ve managed to get some good scholars to look at it, so am excited and have a bit of trepidation, as well.

Lord willing, I’m aiming for a November release of the hardcover. Perhaps a few people may be encouraged to give their pastor friends a Galatians gift for Christmas. 🙂 The paperback would follow in early 2014.

Just a reminder that if you want to follow news regarding this book or my other publishing ventures, you can follow my Pactumbooks Twitter feed.

Judges Judges Justifying

May 22, 2013

God sent the judges in Judges to justify Israel.

Hopefully, that is sufficiently pithy to help us get beyond our anachronistic view of justification. When we talk about it, we tend to think exclusively of a modern judge in a courtroom whose sole task is to make pronouncements. But when God sent judges in the flesh, they were not known for courtroom activity so much as deliverance activity.

Justification is vindication, including deliverance against enemies. This is one primary reason why the term justification is associated with salvation in Scripture.

It is necessary to understand that justification is a forensic (legal) term. It is also necessary to understand that the forensic character is not determined by modern settings, but by Scripture.

There is in Scripture a throne of judgment, but vindicating activities surrounding the throne are all equally aspects of God’s legal action. God does what He says.

This is why Peter Leithart speaks of biblical justification as a “deliverdict.”

Contrary to what some imply, justification is not fiction, but re-creation.

Concept: Something Free for Churches

May 17, 2013

Here’s something for you pastors (especially) to evaluate if your church has no web site, or a poor one. Let me know what you think (in the comments or via email), and feel free to share this with other pastors and church leaders who may be interested.

I’ve been reflecting on the free+ business model that has become increasingly popular, and I like it. Here’s a concept I’m working on along those lines.

CONCEPT BRIEF: A well-designed responsive (mobile & desktop-ready) HTML5/CSS3 web template, to give away free to churches.

GOAL/RATIONALE: (1) To provide something of value for the kingdom, particularly for churches that have small budgets; and (2) to provide a modest platform for ongoing income for me by way of value-added services.

GIFT DETAILS:read more »

Do We Need to Be “An Example”?

May 16, 2013

I recently came across an online piece from a Christian author that dealt with the struggles of young women who are trying to be “examples,” but feel like they are failing. The piece was engaging, and good things were said.

But ultimately, it went sideways, because it made the great dichotomy all too many modern Christians make: a divide between Christ and behaviour. Her answer to the example problem was to deny that young Christian ladies (or implicitly, any of us) need to be examples. And while she admitted that we are already “light in a dark place,” she insisted that the light comes from Jesus, not “awesome behaviour.”

There is, I concede, something that sounds right there. But there is also something gravely wrong, and this approach is ultimately unbiblical and unhelpful. In the comments section, I responded this way:read more »

Acclaim for My Design–Publishing Services

May 12, 2013

Here’s some very kind words from P. Andrew Sandlin, for whom I have provided publishing services for two of his most recent publications:

Tim: I can attest to your superb, fastidious work. I hope that all reading these lines will consider Tim’s company for book design, web design, typesetting and related tasks. His work is praiseworthy — and trustworthy.

To learn more about what I offer, see http://publishingbuddy.com and http://timgallantcreative.com.