The Carson Center Podcast

Don Carson introduces the study of Ezekiel, focusing on chapters 1–3 and Ezekiel's calling amid visions of God’s glory and the challenges of a rebellious nation. Carson delves into how Ezekiel faithfully spoke God's words, regardless of opposition, and calls listeners to similar boldness and faithfulness in today's culture.

Carson teaches the following:

• Ezekiel's visions that reflect God’s majesty and power
• Ezekiel's command to speak to Israel
• Ezekiel's call to speak to both the wicked and the righteous
• Ezekiel's equipping to deliver God’s words fearlessly
• How to speak God’s truth boldly in a biblically illiterate culture

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 Don Carson discusses the strengths and weaknesses of new hermeneutics, arguing that while it offers helpful insights, all Scripture carries an enduring relevance that transcends cultural shifts. He emphasizes the need for humility in biblical interpretation, the clarity of Scripture, and the role of the Holy Spirit in understanding God's Word.

He teaches the following:

• New hermeneutics must be balanced by Scripture's transcendent relevance
• Scripture is clear and accessible for all believers to understand and obey
• God's revelation is complete under the New Covenant
• Understanding Scripture requires both intellectual effort and the Holy Spirit's guidance
• How to evaluate command, sharing, and servant models of leadership
• Humility and a teachable spirit are essential when interpreting God's Word

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Don Carson addresses the challenge of biblical inerrancy and interpretation, particularly in the context of textual variants and modern pluralism. He emphasizes that while textual variations exist, they do not compromise major doctrines, and he calls for a deeper understanding of genre, grace, and cultural relevance in Scripture interpretation.

He teaches the following:

• Why textual variants don't undermine inerrancy or key doctrines
• God's sovereignty shown through Scripture's preservation
• How Genesis 1-3 combines history and symbolism
• Common grace should not be twisted to oppose God's truth
• Parables like the Good Samaritan should be modernized carefully
• Pluralism rejects objective truth, complicating evangelism
• Biblical interpretation must account for cultural relevance

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In his lecture on Genesis 39, Don Carson examines the literary structure of the text and highlights Joseph's faithfulness in resisting temptation. Focusing on themes of faithfulness and divine blessing, and the significance of biblical parallelism, Carson compares Joseph's rise in Egypt with broader patterns of Hebrew poetry and scripture interpretation.

He teaches the following:

• How the structure of the text highlights faithfulness and blessing
• Parallelism in Hebrew poetry for its significance for understanding biblical texts
• The importance of understanding biblical literary genre
• Applying wisdom literature in a pluralistic society
• How to interpret apocalyptic texts in light of their genre
• The subjective nature of biblical interpretation and its implications for objective truth
• Biblical interpretation and cultural humility

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In this lecture, Don Carson explores the role of logic in biblical study, emphasizing the multiple meanings of "logic" and the importance of avoiding exegetical fallacies. He highlights the tension between God's sovereignty and human responsibility, urging the development of a biblical framework for understanding these concepts rather than relying solely on systematic theology, while acknowledging the limitations of human understanding.

He teaches the following: 

• Logic, its various meanings, and its application in biblical study
• Biblical interpretation and God's sovereignty
• God's sovereignty and human responsibility
• Limitations of understanding God's nature and sovereignty
• Understanding biblical theology and its application in evangelism
• Structure and interpretation of the Sermon on the Mount

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Don Carson teaches on the complexities of interpreting 1 Timothy 2:12, emphasizing the need for a thoughtful, context-driven approach to gender roles in the church. He looks to other passages to challenge narrow interpretations of Scripture, urging believers to consider the broader biblical and linguistic context to faithfully understand God’s design and Scripture's meaning.

He teaches the following:

• Applying biblical interpretation principles to understand gender roles
• Using biblical language and meaning to avoid narrow interpretations
• The use of synonyms in John's Gospel
• Biblical examples for the meaning of "love"
• Biblical metaphors and their cultural context
• The balance between God's sovereignty and human responsibility

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Don Carson explores spiritual rebirth through Jesus's conversation with Nicodemus in John 3, emphasizing the distinction between natural and spiritual birth and God's essential role in salvation.

He teaches the following:

• Spiritual birth and its relationship to natural birth
• The importance of connecting expository preaching with broader biblical truth
• Modeling good Bible study and application, rather than just teaching it
• Understanding the semantic range of words in different languages
• The evolution of words in the Bible and their changing meanings over time

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Don Carson focuses on Jesus's message to the church in Laodicea and the parable of the 10 virgins in order to illustrate the importance of understanding biblical texts within their historical and cultural context.

Carson teaches:

• How Jesus uses Laodicea's economic symbols to critique spiritual lukewarmness
• How the contextual reading of Scripture is an essential precursor to careful biblical exegesis
• The symbolism behind Jesus’s foot-washing and what it means for us today

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Every Christian wants to know how to read their Bible well. Don Carson provides foundational principles for rightly handling God's Word and addresses challenges that may arise in biblical interpretation.

He teaches:

• Principles of biblical interpretation that emphasize understanding cultural context
• The importance of using the whole Bible to interpret difficult passages
• The role of the original languages in understanding the Scriptures
• How prayer shapes our study of the Bible
• How to handle difficulties, using examples about baptism and the kingdom of God

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What does it mean to be a faithful and wise servant in God's kingdom? In his lecture on the Olivet Discourse, Don Carson delves into Matthew 24:45–25:46, illustrating how faithfulness and wise stewardship of our God-given talents lead to greater responsibility and joy. He contrasts this with the fate of wicked servants, who will face punishment. Carson highlights the importance of being prepared and using God's gifts wisely as we await Christ's return, living faithfully in the present.

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