Freedom of the Will?
[This essay was originally published on February 23, 2018.] Imagine a man who has, somewhere deep within his cranium, a pair of dice. Every time he has to make a decision, a spasm in his brain casts these dice. How the dice roll is what determines the choice. In other...
Spirit, Soul, and Body, Part Six: Origins
The first human being was the direct creation of God (Gen 1:26–28). When making the first man, God shaped him from the dust of the ground and then breathed into him the breath of life (Gen 2:7). At that point, the man became a living soul. The second human being was...
Spirit, Soul, and Body, Part 5: Implications
Scripture is clear that humans are not simply souls that inhabit bodies. Still less are they souls without bodies. The Bible teaches that the body is as much the person as the soul is. Body and soul are the inner and outer person. So important is the body to personal...
Body, Soul, and Spirit, Part 4: The Body
God planned to create the human race in His own image (Gen 1:26). He accomplished His plan in two steps. First, He fashioned the first human from the dust of the ground (Gen 2:7). Second, He breathed the breath of life into that first man. This inbreathing resulted in...
Providence
On the one hand, a driver runs a red light and speeds toward you; he misses you at the last instant. You know you are unable to pay a bill, but an unexpected check arrives in the mail. A long-standing affliction is suddenly healed and you experience relief. A distant...
Spirit. Soul, and Body, Part 3: The Human Spirit
The Bible describes the human spirit much as it describes the soul. Still, some differences do appear. Comparing these descriptions will help us grasp the relationship between the two. The Hebrew term for spirit is ruach. This word is also used for breath and wind....
Spirit, Soul, and Body, Part Two: What Is The Soul
What is the soul? The Hebrew word is nephesh; the Greek term is psuchē. The Hebrew word is first used for animals. In Genesis 1:21-22, God creates every living creature (nephesh hayah) that moves or swarms in the sea. In 1:24 the cattle bring forth living creatures...
Spirit, Soul, and Body, Part One: Assessing the Problem
Doctrinal controversies go in and out of style. Students of the Bible may debate an issue at one time but find it boring at some later point. Sometimes disputes cool off for a while. They flare up again when someone works out a new potential implication of the...
Not How It Used to Be
The first two days of March were mild, with temperatures into the 50s Fahrenheit but strong winds. The next day brought changes, and then on Tuesday the snow began to fall. Snow was still coming down Wednesday morning, and the winds had picked up to blizzard velocity....
White House Faith Office
On February 7, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order creating a White House Faith Office. The purpose of the office is to empower “faith-based entities, community organizations, and houses of worship to serve families and communities.” This...
The Normal Christian Life
Recently, I wrote about a pivotal moment that changed my Christian journey. One of the responses that I received asked this question: “I was just wondering if you'd call your ‘change’ a surrendering to Christ’s Lordship over your whole life and...
Turning Point
One of the most important turning points in my life came fifty years ago this month. I had professed faith as a child. I had tried, off and on, to live for the Lord during young adolescence. During my later teen years, however, I ceased to be interested in His will...
Justice, Wrath, and Propitiation
[This essay was originally published on August 2, 2013.] The gospel reveals many aspects of God’s character. It certainly reveals His love, mercy, grace, goodness, and kindness. If we want to know whether the true and living God is a God of love, all we have to...
Age Brings Choices
Late this summer I will turn 70 years old. I’ve always said that I wanted to work at least until I was 70. Now I’m knocking on that door, but I’m not ready to retire yet. In fact, I want to work harder than ever. Granted, I’m slower at some...
A Letter to Donald Trump
Mr. President, congratulations upon becoming the 47th president of the United States. As a minister of the gospel, I don’t typically comment on political matters. But listening to your inaugural address was like opening presents on Christmas morning. Each one...
Most Interesting Reading of 2024: Part Two
Last week I gave you the first part of my listing of the “most interesting books” that I read during 2024. Again, I emphasize that my selection is subjective: what was interesting to me may not be interesting to you. Nevertheless, here is the rest of my...
Most Interesting Reading of 2024: Part One
It’s that time of year again. Other authors issue bibliographies of “best books” they’ve read. I put out a listing of reading that I personally found most interesting. This year, it happens that “interesting” also broadly...
Most Important News of 2024
[This essay was originally published on January 3, 2013. The editor has taken the liberty of updating the year; the essay is otherwise unaltered.] Many periodicals make a New Year’s tradition of summarizing the most important stories of the past year. That...
The Man in the Shadows
During the Christmas season, two figures stand rightfully in the spotlight. One is Jesus, who was born in Bethlehem. The other is Mary His mother. A third figure generally remains somewhere in the shadows: he is known to have been present but hardly seems to matter....
Until the Lord Shouts
It is my sad duty to report that Caleb Counterman, a Doctor of Ministry student at Central Seminary, died suddenly on Sunday morning. He was driving his wife Jessica to church when his car hit a patch of ice. In the ensuing crash, Jessica’s life was preserved,...
About In the Nick of Time
Occasional Essays and Other Stuff for Christian Students Presented by the Research Professor of Systematic Theology of Central Baptist Theological Seminary of Minneapolis.
American Christianity needs Christian leaders. Christian leaders explain the Scriptures, bringing them to bear upon life’s urgent questions. Christian leaders exemplify the life of faith, finding their ultimate satisfaction in God alone. They unite intellectual discipline with ordinate affection, turning their entire being toward the love of God. These essays are dedicated to the task of inviting Christian students to become tomorrow’s Christian leaders.
—Kevin T. Bauder
“Be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”
APPLICATION & AID