Happy Birthday, Bethany!

There aren’t very many 25-year-old women in America today who have been married for almost 6 years. There also aren’t very many in that situation that has three kids that are under four years old. Even in that small group there may not be many who have been a pastor’s wife for over five years, and are more theologically savvy than some seminary grads. I am beyond blessed to be married to this woman, and today is her 25^th birthday.

On May 16^th, 2009 I married my best friend, Bethany Anne. She was 19 years old, and there were many people who told us that we were way too young to be married. From the world’s perspective Bethany had every reason not to marry me. She is brilliant, and she is smarter than I will ever be. B graduated high school with a 4.3 GPA, and was one of her class valedictorians. She was offered the Presidential Scholarship to Wayne State University, and could have earned her undergrad for free. Instead of taking this route Bethany said, “yes,” when I purposed to her one month after she graduate high school, and then moved down to Louisville, Kentucky to attend Boyce College with me. Bethany ended up graduating with her Associates degree, and is a ferocious reader. There is no doubt in my mind that she could do a Ph.D. if she wanted to. The world would’ve told her that she wasted her educational opportunity, but she is quick to confess that she doesn’t regret getting married, and going to Bible College at all.

Bethany is also incredibly  beautiful. I will readily admit that she is out of my league. I think when most people meet us for the first time they are confused as to how I landed such a beauty. We have three boys now, and the world would look at a 25 year old beautiful woman like B, and ask why she is “wasting” her twenties. Bethany not only disagrees with the presuppositions of their worldview, but also thinks they’re foolish. Children are a gift from Jesus, and I can’t believe I get to share these three beautiful boys with this amazing woman, not to mention the fact that she is MY wife. No one else gets to be married to her except ME. There are no words to express that gratitude to God. She cares for our boys, our dog, our home, and me. And she does so with incredible joy.

As if all of these traits weren’t enough of a blessing, Bethany loves, and ministers at our local church, Heritage Baptist Church. She always talks about how she loves to listen to Kevin, and I preach. She serves, and basically helps to lead our music ministry, and is also a competent teacher of women. There are many 25-year-old women who care nothing about church. Bethany is their antithesis. I am writing this blog with complete awareness that B would not want me to do so because she would be embarrassed. I don’t care. There is not a man more blessed than I in the entire world, and there are many days that I don’t appreciate her like I should. I pray that Jesus, and Bethany would forgive me for when I take her for granite, and that he would sanctify me even more to love, serve, lead, protect, provide and appreciate her for the incredible gift that she is.

Happy birthday to my beautiful, and brilliant bride, Bethany Anne. I love you!

אֵֽשֶׁת־חַ֭יִל מִ֣י יִמְצָ֑א וְרָחֹ֖ק מִפְּנִינִ֣ים מִכְרָֽהּ

Review of God's Glory in Salvation Through Judgment

It has been nearly a year since I have written a blog post. My return from a blog-less exile is simple. It is not because I believe myself to be incredibly intelligent. The Internet has held up just fine without a post from Alex Loginow. The purpose of this blog will primarily be to serve the saints at Heritage Baptist Church where I serve as a Teaching Pastor/Elder. There may be secondary benefits such as interaction with friends from Seminary or lovers of theology in general, but the primary cause of this site will be for my brothers and sisters at Heritage. With that being stated, my inaugural re-post will be a book review of Dr. James M. Hamilton’s work, God’s Glory in Salvation Through Judgment (GGSTJ).

Dr. Hamilton (Ph.D. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) wrote this book as a contribution to the field of Biblical Theology. Hamilton argues that the center of the biblical metanarrative is the glory of God in salvation through judgment. In my short time in ministry this is certainly one of the most helpful books that I have ever read about the bible. It would be beneficial for anyone who is a follower of Jesus. For my beloved family at HBC here are several reasons why I wholeheartedly recommend this book to you for the sanctification of your heart.

1.)  It is easy to read.

Don’t get me wrong. Hamilton is brilliant, and this work is academic. But if you’re up to it, it is not an impossible read for a layman. Each chapter is broken up into several subsections which gives the reader easy breaking points, and allows you to feel like you’re accomplishing much, even if you only have 15-20 minutes here or there to do some reading. Don’t be intimidated by its 639 pages, it is truly a delight. Whether you're a Ph.D., a blue collar auto worker, or a homemaker this book is accessible, and a blessing.

2.)  It casts a vision for the glory of God in the entire canon.

Hamilton walks through each book of the bible to argue that the center of God’s Word is his glory in salvation through judgment. Even if you do not have the time or energy to read the entire work all the way through, you can read different sections in congress with your personal scripture reading, and it will enhance your study of the bible. Hamilton himself recommends this course of action, if you choose (pages 29-30). For those who have the stamina to work through the book, they will see the continuity of the scriptures from Genesis to Revelation; Creation to Consummation.

3.)  It enhances the Bible’s big story.

So many Christians view the scriptures as a collection of stories about good people (OT), and a bunch of rules that you’re supposed to follow once you’re saved (NT). Hamilton ties the two Testaments together, and centers the metanarrative in his thesis. The imagery, typology, and language that are used throughout the bible are important. Authors write certain texts, use certain language, and allude to certain events for particular reasons. Hamilton is a master of connecting the dots, and painting a picture of how the Word of God has continuity and meaning. From Eden, to the New Eden, God is saving his people through judgment, and this meets its end in the person and work of Christ. GGSTJ exposits that narrative.

4.)  It will cause you to worship.

As Hamilton works through the scripture he continues to magnify the triune Godhead over and over again. He centers his thesis in what Jesus did for his people, and is thoroughly centered in the gospel. The final chapter of the work speaks to how the author’s thesis penetrates the life of the local church, and individual believers. This work is not merely an academic exercise. This theology leads to doxology. Because God is glorified in salvation through judgment that truth fuels evangelism, and discipleship, and it forces the church to deal seriously with the discipline of unrepentant members. It also spurs believers onto bible reading and a thriving prayer life. As I worked through this book it caused me to love Jesus more, and want to live for him.

Brothers and sisters, whether you agree with Dr. Hamilton or not, his work is a force to be reckoned with, and I believe that Jesus is glorified in the writing and reading of this work because it deals seriously with his word. Buy this book, and use it as you seek to grow in the knowledge and wisdom of God’s truth.