About
My name is Chad Knudson. I am married and have four boys. I am a pastor at Fremont Evangelical Free Church in Nebraska. I graduated from Southern Seminary (M.Div and Th.M). In my spare time I enjoy reading, writing, running, and spending time with my family.
You can contact me by filling out the form below.
Hello, Chad. My good friend, Mark Combs, speaks highly of you. I would like your permission to add your blog to my blogroll at http://bromattsblog.wordpress.com. I’m a pastor in Kentucky (http://www.boonescreekchurch.com) and am a DMin student at Southern (Expository Preaching track).
I enjoy your blog and pray that God will use it to advance His Kingdom!
Matthew Perry
Matt,
Absolutely. I will add you to mine too.
Chad
Hi, Chad. Your blog looks very solid. I subscribed to your feed and will be checking it out.
Blessings,
Phil
Thanks for blogrolling us. And I will be reading through your blog today and Live Blogrolling you at FIDE-O. Welcome to the crazy world of the theological blogosphere.
Chad, I’m loving your blog. Hey, if you had to pick an intro book for young men to be introduced to biblical theology, what would be your pick? Or picks? Can you give me a top 3? Thanks.
Hi Kevin,
I am glad you are enjoying the blog.
Here are my recommendations.
1.) “Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments,” Geerhardus Vos. Vos is the father of Reformed Biblical Theology. His book is forerunner to other BT books; however, his style is difficult at times and does not develop the NT quite to the depth he does with the OT.
2.) “According to Plan,” Grame Goldsworthy. This book is kinda the primer on BT. His “Trilogy” is also good and deals with BT, the book of Revelation, and Wisdom Literature. I would also suggest Mark Strom’s, ” The Symphony of Scripture.” His book follows the same ideas as Goldsworthy’s, but adds some fine points. The nice thing about both of these books is that they have discusson questions at the end of each chapter.
3.) “God’s Big Picture,” Vaughn Roberts. This book is even more simple than either Strom of Goldsworthy (only 160 pages). This book also has discussion questions.
4.) For preaching I would start with Goldsworthy’s book, “Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture.” Here Goldsworthy puts BT into practice for preaching. This book may be suited more for your own learning, rather than leading others.
I am assuming you are teaching those who have never been exposed to BT in a formal way, so the books are very basic, but very helpful. If you are looking for something more specific (e.g., Christ in the OT, prophets, kingship, etc), let me know I’ll provide some suggestions.
Thanks again for reading the blog and thanks for your feedback.
Chad
Chad,
I just found your site and added you to the alumni aggregator at SaidatSouthern.com
Tony Kummer
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your position on “I’m a Calvinist but…”
You express the opinions of many.
Chad,
Sorry to hear the latest on the church, but I’m lovin’ the blog and the updates on new stuff in BT. Press on, brother, and stay in touch. Let me know if you get in the Atlanta area.
God’s best,
Spencer
Chad,
If you were to purchase one or two commentaries on Exodus, what would they be? I’m about ready to start teaching through the book and would like a strong BT emphasis.
Thanks,
Mark Lugg
Mark,
Interesting you bring up Exodus. That book was my next subject for commentary recommendations. I’ll have it up by weeks end.
Chad
Chad,
Any recommendations for a good book on the subject of Adoption in Christ?
Jesse
See Trevor Burke’s book, “Adopted into God’s Family: Exploring a Pauline Metaphor” that is part of the New Studies in Biblical Theology series by IVP. You might also consider J. I. Packer’s, “Knowing God.” He has a short, but good section on adoption. Finally, I would read some good commentaries on books that speak about adoption, such as Galatians.
I recently got referred to your site through librarything.com. Did you happen to go to Grace University in Omaha, NE (or are you a different Chad Knudson)?
The reason I ask is because I graduated from that school myself before going on to further studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Just wondering if there was a connection…
I am different Chad. Sorry. I went to Colorado Christian University and then Southern Seminary.
hey brother, haven’t heard form you in a while. hope you’re doing well. love the new header! john
Thanks John. Things are well, just very busy with a lot of things.
Hi Chad,
I recently ran across the article below on BT. Can I ask your opinion of it, especially his 8 dangers of exclusive, redemptive-historical preaching? Thanks.
Ethics, Preaching, and Biblical Theology by John Frame: http://www.frame-poythress.org/frame_articles/1999Ethics.htm
Greg,
I read this article several years ago and agree with much of what Frame says. I think he is right to identify the issues of how redemptive-historical preaching (RHP) is misused. He makes similar arguments in the Doctrine of the Knowledge of God. I would offer two critiques of his article.
1.) While the arguments he makes are valid, the problem is with those who are carrying out the preaching, not the method itself. For example, in point four he states a fallacy of RHP is the use of ‘jargon-laden vocabulary.’ I agree. However, that is not necessarily a problem with the method or hermeneutic, but with the person delivering the sermon. Any sermon can be jargon-laden (as he later points out). Another example is in point five where he states that those who hold to RHP have at times caused divisions in the church. Again, that is a problem with the maturity of the individual, not the method or hermeneutic. I think you see my point.
2.) The major criticism of RHP is the apparent lack of application. I think Frame makes some valid points here and I think those who hold to RHP need to be sure to apply the text in responsible and careful ways. I see nothing wrong with those who hold to RHP to make application points at the end of their sermons. However, when he talks about preaching law I am a little confused. I think he needs to define what he means by law, but if he is speaking of the Mosaic Law I would disagree. The law from a RH perspective must be understood through Christ (this is how Paul understood it, e.g., Gal 3). Sure, we can talk about applying the law (and I do believe the law teaches us about the character of God and is beneficial in this way), but that application can only be rightly understood through the cross of Christ. I would even say the Proverbs must be understood in the same way, but perhaps to a lesser extent. I think the same things can be said about character studies from the OT. I don’t disagree that they (character studies) can be beneficial, but how do we do such things in a responsible way? Application is never easy for any type of preacher because our applications can be arbitary and motive driven, but we should still seek to apply the text for the people. The apparent lack of application associated with RHP (in my opinion) is not the fault of the method or hermeneutic, but some of those who “practice” it. I think you see my point.
I think Frame’s concerns are valid. I’ve seen some of these abuses he points out myself. I think his article touches on an area that needs further development (both in theory and practice) from those who hold to RHP.
Hope that helps.
Chad
Thanks, Chad.
I read about your blog over at Jason’s/GGM.
All the best with it, and I am always looking for new blogs to read and potentially network with.
Russ
Blogs
thekingpin68
satire and theology
Greetings Chad,
Would you consider adding my site to your blogroll? Thanks!
Mike
lovebrokethru.com
Mike,
My pleasure.
Chad
Chad,
What recommendations would you give for books, curriculum, etc. for new/immature Christians for them to learn basic biblical doctrine (especially from an NCT persepctive). I appreciate your help!
Craig
Craig,
Good to hear from you. I visited your church site. It looks like you and your family are doing well.
Let me answer you question two ways.
1.) I don’t think there is any systematic theology that would teach from a NCT perspective. If you want to teach NCT, then there are some decent books out there. I guess if you simply want a basic book on teaching doctrine then I would suggest Sinclair Ferguson’s, “The Christian Life” and J.I. Packer’s, “Concise Theology.” However, these two volumes do not teach from a NCT perspective.
2.) These doctrines of Scripture, God, Jesus, et al never come to us in static categories, but within the plotline of Scripture. Thus, my approach has always been to teach people the Bible as a whole. This is biblical theology. If you are looking at teaching biblical theology then I would suggest Mark Strom’s, “The Symphony of Scripture” and Vaughn Roberts’, “God’s Big Picture” as places to start.
Chad
So here I find two old chums… Chad and Craig chatting about theology… who’da thunk? I knew Craig was in UT as I just hung out with his David offspring… but Chad, I thought you were here in the Denver area (as am I).
I’ll have to go back and read what you’ve been laying down some time.
How’s Roberta?
Bill and Liz?
Jared?