ETS SBL

I am heartened by my experience in Atlanta over the weekend. I am thankful that I was given the privilege to attend just a little bit of SBL and network. It yielded some promising prospects for my Phd work. Those of you who read this blog keep me in prayer as I seach to discover the path that the Lord wants me to take for my education.

E. Dewey Smith

I had the chance to hear E. Dewey Smith the other night and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. Not only was his exegesis of the signs of Messiah in John good, his delivery was polished. I remain hopeful about the state of black preaching in our country.

Great Text

So I am prepping for my 1 John lectures and sought Baker Academic for Robert Yarbrough's commentatry. This is the best commentair that I have interacted with in this series. A great buy as well!

Nota Bene

Christ is Lord over all creation!!

Fides Qua Creditur

The banking system remans enigmatic to me. I confess a love/hate relationship with the ideas of placing my resources into an institution that is publically traded. If we remember back just a few months ago, it seems as if the entire world loathed the banking system and hearing terminology such as "credit swaps," "derivitives," and the like. We all know what happened. The market crashed, humanity groaned, because withdrawals were made from life savings that rendered some people entirely broke.

However there are times when the banking system recognizes their mistakes to my account and credits an error they made. I think I can speak for everyone that when such mistakes occur we find it helpful even surprising!!

In scripture the apostle John indicates that there are credits to our faith. These credits come to us on account of the Lord Jesus Christ. Notice what the text says I John 5:1-5 :http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20John%205:1-5&version=NIV

Basically what faith credits to us or affirms in us is, adoption, and victory over the world. We can't place a price tag on faith. Thank you Lord Jesus!

solus Christus

Sui Generis

In the realm of ideas I recently heard Dr. Perry Downs of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School comment on the role of The Moody Bible Institute, my employer. He mentioned that in the arena of bible colleges Moody is becoming increasingly Sui Generis. One of a kind. Such a notion creates an intersing thought. One that I hope to water. God created each of us in such a way that indeed we are one of a kind. This idea is especially real to me in as much as my son Elias, is of my wife and I . God in His infinite wisdom created him uniquely. Such an idea should increase the worth and value of every human being, however sadly with such a lack of dignity given to the individual it is no surprise that life appears to be an obstruction to those who wish ill upon their fellow human. Not to be morbid. This idea of uniqueness creates wonderful inroads to the idea of bearing the image of God. Indeed if God intended everyone to be the same look the same sound the same he'd of created a carbon copy of robots. So grateful He made me in his image. Gen 1:26. This image is always being renewed each time I realize Jesus came to repair what was broken from the fall in my life.

My Mea Culpa

So when it comes to agreements I have always wanted to be a man of his word. Recently I have come to realize that a recent agreement that I agreed to do has proven quite elusive. In life I believe I have prided myself on not makng vows hastily however I think in this occasion, I was a bit idealistic. Now what? I'm convicted by the words of Sirach 18:22 Let nothing hinder you from paying a vow promptly, and do not wait until death to be released from it. Lord at this point I do need another pep talk, I need a swift reminder of your committment to me that you would be with me. In all this there is much to learn. My problem is I tend to only discern the will of God for my life looking in the rear view mirror. Father Please help me!! Until then, I need your strength to accomplish this work. Help me do it for your glory!!!


Deo Volente!!

Heraldtruth.

A Kiss from the Lord

Yesterday I had the privilege to preach at my home church Living Hope Community in South Holland IL. www.livinghopetoday.com Though I've had the privilege to proclaim the Word of God on many occasions, yesterday the Spirit of God gave me diction and power from on High. Perhaps it was due to the recent developments of my son Elias being born. Regardless as to what cause such a spirited rhetorical event, I look back with desire to always proclaim in such a way. I declare that the demonstration of the spirit of God like that happpens far too infrequently in my life. I echo the words of Dr. Joe Stowell at this point, "I cant tell you how many times I've sat down after preaching and declared to the Lord, "Please don't allow me to embarrass you like that again." " My sentiments exactly!

A New Beginning

To begin I will start with a brief introduction. My name is Ernest Gray. I am a father, a husband, a pastor, and a professor. I love to teach and preach the Word of God. Living in Chicago, I envision a world where people live out their faith for the Lord Jesus Christ. This vision starts with me.



Periodically I will post thoughts that have either been perplexing me or that may pose serisous theological reflection. I welcome all feedback and interaction. I look forward to the dialogue.



Solus Christus,



heraldtruth