Why Does the Gospel of Mark End without Mention of Jesus’s Resurrection?
Douglas Sean O'Donnell
Mark provides only eight verses to narrate the events after Jesus’s crucifixion, including the women’s angelic encounter at the tomb and the angel’s announcement with no actual resurrection appearances.
What Did Jesus Teach about Total Depravity?
Douglas Sean O'Donnell
The assumption of universal guilt before God is evident throughout Jesus’s teaching in the Gospels. Proof of this reality is manifold. Below are four evidences to support this claim.
What Does Mark 2:17 Mean?
Douglas Sean O'Donnell
The Bible, like all good literature, is full of questions. It includes over 3,000 of them—questions that are intended to make us ponder the person and powers of God and our relationship with him.
Is the Story of Job Historical? (Job 1)
Douglas Sean O'Donnell
Was there really a man named Job? Did he live in a land called Uz? Was he perfectly righteous with a perfectly blessed life? Put simply, did the author of Job create the whole drama?
10 Things You Should Know about the Book of Mark
Douglas Sean O'Donnell
Jesus goes to Calvary to atone for apostate apostles, blasphemous bystanders, taunting thieves, and even hate-spitting, flesh-whipping Roman soldiers.
14 Principles for Studying the Bible
Douglas Sean O'Donnell
How can you dig deeper into God’s Word? Understand it better? Apply it well? Keep these fourteen foundational Bible study principles in mind when you read.
What Memorizing Scripture Will Do for Your Kids
Douglas Sean O'Donnell
One of the neglected spiritual disciplines of our time is Scripture memorization. Rarely are churches, families, and individuals taking the time to learn by heart God’s Word.
7 Tips for Teaching the Bible to Children
Douglas Sean O'Donnell
Teaching the Bible to children can be a great challenge, but, if done well, it will be deeply rewarding. By modeling your dedication for God’s Word, you can help children grow in their knowledge of and love for it.
How Should We Determine the Order of Worship in Our Church Services?
Douglas Sean O'Donnell
Our worship should be, among other things, God-fearing (Eccl. 5) and bibliocentric (Neh. 8). In other words, our worship should be God-revering and Scripture-saturated.
How to Preach Proverbs
Douglas Sean O'Donnell
The biblical proverbs as a whole have a Godward goal: the fear of the Lord. As preachers, our job is to focus on that fear.
Is The Song of Solomon about God's Love or Human Love? (Song of Solomon 1)
Douglas Sean O'Donnell
Although we are fallen and our sexual desires can easily be distorted and debased, there is still something “very good” about the desire for physical intimacy.
How to Preach Parables
Douglas Sean O'Donnell,
Leland Ryken
Parables feature what the whole of the New Testament covers: gospel need, gospel proclamation, gospel response, and gospel ethics. In your preaching, follow Jesus’s pattern.
How to Preach Biblical Narrative
Douglas Sean O'Donnell,
Leland Ryken
I love stories. You love stories. Your congregation loves stories. The unbelieving world loves stories. Below are seven suggestions for preaching a sermon on a biblical narrative.
10 Things You Should Know about the Genres of the Bible
Douglas Sean O'Donnell,
Leland Ryken
Identifying the genre of a text gives us the right terms for interacting with it. Conversely, if we do not interact with a text in terms of its genre traits, we cannot deal adequately with it.
What Does Psalm 46:1 Mean?
Douglas Sean O'Donnell
If you fail to understand poetic structures and literary devices, you will understand and preach the Psalms improperly.
Why Was Satan Allowed to Torment Job? (Job 1)
Douglas Sean O'Donnell
What is curious is that God is impressed not by Satan’s extraordinary abilities but rather by Job’s character.
5 Questions about the Psalms
Douglas Sean O'Donnell
The ultimate purpose of the book of Psalms is to model for God’s people how and why to praise the LORD.
The Gospel in Song of Solomon
Douglas Sean O'Donnell
We gain insight into the loving nature of the God who inspired this Song, and are made able to love him in return although we constantly require his fidelity, protection, and undeserved love.
The Gospel in Ecclesiastes
Douglas Sean O'Donnell
Throughout Ecclesiastes we are led forward to other answers, other solutions, and other wisdom than the world’s vain promises of satisfaction, happiness, and fulfillment.
What Is Epiphany?
Douglas Sean O'Donnell
On January 6, twelve days after Christmas, the Western church celebrates Epiphany. What does it mean and where does it originate?
Why Study the Book of Psalms?
Douglas Sean O'Donnell
Douglas Sean O'Donnell suggests three reasons to study the Psalms.
3 Roots of Job's Faith
Douglas Sean O'Donnell
Douglas Sean O'Donnell exposes Job's under-the-surface theological foundations that made him hold up under duress.