The Center of Biblical Religion
Biblical religion—the biblical approach to knowing and worshipping God—unfolds in stages. Before the fall, people had direct access to God. After the expulsion from Eden, an element of sacrifice became necessary. We know that God called true saints before the flood....
The Power of Hate
[This essay was originally published on March 15, 2013.] Elvis Presley, that great sage and font of wisdom, is reputed to have said, “Animals don’t hate, and we’re supposed to be better than them.” Presley was assuming that the experience of...
Those Millennial Sacrifices
One of the most frequently voiced objections to premillennialism is the presence of an active temple upon earth (Ezek 40–48). More specifically, this prophetic temple includes the ongoing offering of animal sacrifices (Ezek 43:18–27). Opponents of premillennialism...
The Cup and the Bread
One of the oddest mentions of the Lord’s Table in the New Testament occurs in 1 Corinthians 10:15–22. It is unusual because it does not occur in a discussion of church ordinances. Rather, Paul is examining the question of whether Christians may eat meat that has...
My Twenty-Sixth
Tonight, Friday, May 16, 2025, is commencement at Central Baptist Theological Seminary. This will be the second year when we have held our graduation ceremonies on Friday evening rather than Saturday morning. We’ve moved the date because it presents fewer...
Spirit, Soul, and Body, Part 7: The Human Race
If the human soul is procreated along with the human body, then important consequences follow. For one thing, all humans descend from Adam, both body and soul. Thus, only one human race exists, not several. Various theologies of racial superiority have tried to...
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...
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