In this lecture, Don Carson exposites John 3, explaining how spiritual birth is a transformative power from God that brings moral and spiritual change. Carson emphasizes the connection between this imagery, Jesus's death, and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. Carson also explores the need for reconciliation to God, moral transformation, and the reversal of sin’s effects. New birth is not a result of human effort but a life-changing process enabled by the Holy Spirit.

He teaches the following:

• How the desire to challenge God and usurp his authority leads to social evils and strife
• Rebellion against God results in death, but God's mercy leads to a new humanity through Abraham
• God showed the need for sacrifice under the Old Covenant, promising a Redeemer from the Davidic line
• Jesus's revelation is grounded in his identity as God's own self-expression
• The new birth is grounded in Jesus's death, which provides the means for eternal life

In this lecture, Don Carson explores the biblical theme of the incarnation, explaining the Old Testament’s anticipation of God's visitation which culminates in the New Testament. Carson shows how Jesus is the fulfillment of God's promises, embodying both judgment and mercy. And he highlights the significance of John's Gospel, emphasizing Jesus as God's self-expression and agent in creation, connecting these themes to the New Covenant.

He teaches the following:

• God’s declared promises of forgiveness, transformation, and an eternal Davidic King
• The linguistic significance of Jesus’s name, and its connection to the theme of salvation
• The historical interpretation of John 1:1–18, and its relation to the creation account
• The role of John the Baptist as a witness to the true Light
• How the Old Testament law prepared the way for Jesus’s arrival
• Why Jesus’s sacrifice is the most profound display of God’s glory

In this lecture, Don Carson discusses two depictions of God in the Bible: the God who inspires worship from his people and the God who is unfathomably wise, emphasizing the expression of these themes in the Psalms and Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament. 

Carson delves into key Psalms to highlight the contrasts between the righteous and the wicked, the importance of repentance, and the deep emotional and spiritual truths embedded in these texts. Carson also discusses the books of Job and Ecclesiastes, illustrating humanity’s search for wisdom and ultimately pointing to Jesus as the fulfillment of wisdom and righteousness.

He teaches the following:

• Two depictions of God in the Bible, and how these themes reflect literary genres in the Old Testament
• The linguistic meaning and historical significance of key phrases and metaphors in Psalm 1
• How Job’s story reveals the limits of human understanding
• The Book of Ecclesiastes teaches that true wisdom is attained by fearing God
• The Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament points to ultimate wisdom that is found in Jesus

In this lecture, Don Carson examines the biblical concept of God as the reigning King. He contrasts modern perceptions of monarchy with ancient understandings, and he traces the evolution of Israel’s desire for a king. He explores God's promise to David of an enduring dynasty, the fulfillment of this promise through Solomon, and the covenant’s ultimate fulfillment in Jesus—the eternal King. Carson also highlights the ongoing tension of God's kingdom being "already here and not yet come," with Jesus as the victorious King who will ultimately defeat death itself.

He teaches the following:

• The Israelites were called into covenant with God, making him their Ruler and King
• God’s promise to David was fulfilled in Solomon, but the dynasty faced challenges and corruption
• An overview of the Davidic kingdoms and their eventual schism
• Jesus is the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant as the Messiah and the Son of David
• A biblical perspective on the continuous struggle despite the arrival of the promised King

In this lecture, Don Carson discusses God’s role as both Creator and Legislator, challenging listeners to consider the Bible's laws and their relevance in today's society amidst objections to Christian morality. He explores the importance of boundaries in truth and freedom, drawing connections between God's laws, the Mosaic Covenant, and the story of the Israelites. Carson concludes by pointing to Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice that fulfills the law and reconciles humanity to God.

He teaches the following:

• All communities have boundaries, and no community can be completely inclusive
• Truth is inevitable and cannot be escaped, even in a post-modern context
• Why freedom must have discipline, and how this truth is biblically based
• The historical significance of each commandment in Exodus 20, and their relevance for Christians today
• How the Ten Commandments are related to God's self-disclosure in a redemptive act
• How the sacrificial system fits into the broader storyline of God’s relationship with his people

In this lecture, Don Carson discusses God's sovereignty and covenant promises as he unpacks Abraham's story in Genesis 12. Carson critiques common misconceptions about God's relationship with humanity, demonstrating how God's covenant with Abraham points to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus. The lecture stresses the importance of understanding God's grace, as seen in Abraham's obedience and trust in God's promises.
 

He teaches the following:

• The three common misconceptions of God’s relationship with humanity
• Why God does not need humanity’s worship or obedience
• Why it's important to understand God’s sovereignty and grace
• God unconditionally fulfills his promises, even when humans fail
• The cultural significance of Abraham’s obedience to God
• The story of Abraham and Isaac is a prefiguration of God's ultimate act of grace in sending his Son to die for humanity

Join Collin Hansen and Melissa Kruger for their annual discussion as they look back on the top theology stories of 2024. They also share their favorite books from 2024, updates on personal projects, and what they're each looking forward to in life and ministry in 2025. 

They discuss: 

• The rise in Bible sales in 2024
• Declining fertility rates worldwide
• Big changes for the United Methodist Church and the role of the Global South
• The advance of assisted suicide in the UK
• The Cass Report and the truth about transgender treatments
• Encouraging signs among Gen Z
• Trump’s election victory and a GOP shift
• Anticipating the 2025 Gospelbound season
• Book highlights from 2024
• Personal projects and updates
• Don Carson’s legacy and an important update about his life and ministry

Mentioned on this episode:

"My Top 10 Theology Stories of 2024" by Collin Hansen (article)

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In this lecture, Don Carson examines Genesis 3, focusing on the Serpent's deceit and humanity's rebellion, which leads to shame, guilt, and broken fellowship with God. He discusses the curses placed on Satan, Adam, and Eve, highlighting the introduction of sin and the long-term effects on creation. Carson emphasizes the need for reconciliation with God, pointing to the promise of redemption through Jesus.

He teaches the following:

• How Satan openly contradicted God’s Word in his temptation
• The immediate and long-term consequences of sin
• The foretelling of enmity between the Serpent's offspring and the woman's offspring points to future atonement
• Humanity’s ultimate problem is alienation from God due to our willful rebellion
• How the promise in Genesis 3 points to ultimate redemption through Jesus

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In this lecture, Don Carson introduces a new series, “The God Who Is There.” He explores the creation account in Genesis, highlighting key attributes of God and humanity. Carson also emphasizes the importance of Genesis 1–2 for understanding the fall in Genesis 3, the concept of a new creation through Jesus, and the foundational differences between the biblical worldview and other religious or philosophical systems.

He teaches the following:

• Why it’s important to understand the Bible’s organization and structure
• How God reveals himself supremely through his Word
• The significance of the creation narrative
• How creation’s intelligent, complex design points to a Designer
• The attributes of God as revealed in Genesis 1–2
• How humanity bears God's image
• How the context of Genesis 1–2 helps us understand the fall in Genesis 3
• The connections between human responsibility and God’s

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In this lecture, Don Carson teaches mainly from Ezekiel 16, which describes Jerusalem’s spiritual adultery and compares the city to an ungrateful prostitute who turns to infidelity. Carson also points to Israel’s rebellion in forming a political alliance with Egypt. He explains that, despite the severe punishment described, God promised eventual restoration through an everlasting covenant when Jerusalem would repent and experience God's faithfulness.

He teaches the following:

• Why Israel is compared to a “useless vine” and how it connects to the Bible’s larger metanarrative
• Absolutizing any one form of God’s love results in absurd theology
• How political alliances contributed to Israel’s downfall
• God remembered Jerusalem and established an everlasting covenant with her
• The new covenant would bring atonement for Jerusalem’s sin
• How the metaphor of marriage and apostasy is used to illustrate the severity of Israel's rebellion
• The importance of fidelity and the consequences of betrayal in both human and divine relationships
• The imagery of marriage and atonement conveys God’s enduring love for his people

Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together