Matthew S. Harmon

Tracing God’s Wisdom Throughout Scripture In an age saturated with breaking news and endless search results, we are overwhelmed with information but starved for wisdom. Where can we turn for guidance that lasts? In this volume from the Short Studies in Biblical Theology series, biblical scholar Matthew S. Harmon traces the theme of wisdom throughout Scripture, revealing its presence in Eden, its role in Israel, its embodiment in Christ, and its significance in the life of the church. Harmon reveals a recurring pattern in the Bible’s redemptive narrative: God reveals his wisdom, humanity rejects it, and God ultimately vindicates it. This pattern not only shapes the biblical story but also helps readers live faithfully in a fallen world by pointing them to Christ, the one who perfectly embodies the wisdom we so desperately need. Explores the Wisdom of God: Traces the theme of wisdom throughout Eden, Israel, Christ, the church, and in the new creation Academic yet Accessible: Perfect for pastors, college and seminary students, missionaries, and lay leaders Short Studies in Biblical Theology: Part of a series designed to give readers accessible volumes on God’s word. Other volumes include The Mission of God and the Witness of the Church; The Sabbath as Rest and Hope for the People of God; and more

How to Study the Bible's Use of the Bible: Seven Hermeneutical Choices for the Old and New Testaments by Gary Edward Schnittjer and Matthew S. Harmon is an essential resource aimed at teaching a hermeneutic for understanding the Bible's use of the Bible. Intended for students of both testaments, the book's innovative approach demonstrates how the Old Testament use of Scripture provides resources for the New Testament authors' use of Scripture. The authors provide students with a clear approach to handling the Bible's use of itself through seven key hermeneutical choices organized into individual chapters. Each chapter introduces a hermeneutical choice and then provides several examples of the Old Testament use of Old Testament and the New Testament use of Old Testament. The plentiful examples model for students the need to ground hermeneutics in biblical evidence and provide insight into understanding why the Bible's use of the Bible is important.

An Introduction to the Theology of 2 Peter and Jude from Matthew S. Harmon Even though Peter and Jude wrote their canonical letters almost 2,000 years ago, the church today still faces similar challenges as their original readers. What do these short, overlooked books have to teach Christians today about God, humanity, and God’s redemptive plan? In this addition to the New Testament Theology series, Matthew S. Harmon examines the unique themes of 2 Peter and Jude as well as their common ground, addressing topics such as false teaching, God’s authority, and the new heavens and the new earth. Analyzing the historical and biblical context of both books, Harmon helps readers understand how these key themes apply to them today—giving Christians comfort and motivation in the face of serious challenges and opposition to the gospel. Part of the New Testament Theology Series: Other volumes include The Mission of the Triune God; United to Christ, Walking in the Spirit; and The Beginning of the Gospel Ideal for Anyone Wanting to Study the Bible More Deeply: Perfect for pastors, seminarians, college students, and laypeople Written by Matthew S. Harmon: Author of the entries for 2 Peter and Jude in the ESV Expository Commentary (Volume 12) and Asking the Right Questions: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Applying the Bible

Galatians reveals how Christ changes everything. Matthew S. Harmon traces the argument of Paul's most polemic letter. In Galatians, Paul defends his authority and attacks his opponents' arguments--and in both cases, the decisive factor is the Gospel. History and Scripture must be interpreted in light of Christ's arrival. The new creation has broken in, leaving nothing unaltered. Harmon plumbs Galatians' theological depth, including its view of sin and exile, apocalyptic antitheses, the Trinity, Isaiah's servant figure, the law, righteousness, and faith(fulness). The Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary series locates each biblical book within redemptive history and illuminates its unique theological contributions. All EBTC volumes feature informed exegetical treatment of the biblical book and thorough discussion of its most important theological themes in relation to the canon--all in a style that is useful and accessible to students of Scripture.

It is often recognized that the title "servant" is applied to key figures throughout the Bible, culminating in Jesus Christ. In this New Studies in Biblical Theology volume Matthew Harmon carefully traces this theme from Genesis to Revelation with the intention of seeing how earlier servants point forward to the ultimate Servant. While this servant theme certainly is significant in its own right throughout redemptive history, it also plays a supporting role, enhancing and enriching other themes such as son, prophet, and king.Harmon shows how the title "servant" not only gives us a clearer understanding of Jesus Christ but also has profound implications for our lives as Christians. When we grasp what it means to be servants of Christ, our love for him and our obedience to him deepen. Understanding that the ultimate Servant Jesus Christ indwells his people to empower them to serve others in love has the potential to transform how we interact with fellow believers and the world around us.Addressing key issues in biblical theology, the works comprising New Studies in Biblical Theology are creative attempts to help Christians better understand their Bibles. The NSBT series is edited by D. A. Carson, aiming to simultaneously instruct and to edify, to interact with current scholarship and to point the way ahead.

It is often recognized that the title ‘servant’ is applied to key figures throughout the Bible, culminating in Jesus Christ. Matthew Harmon carefully traces this theme from Genesis to Revelation, examining how earlier ‘servants’ point forwards to the ultimate Servant. While this theme is significant in its own right throughout redemptive history, it also plays a supporting role, enhancing and enriching other themes, such as son, prophet and king. Harmon shows how the title ‘servant’ not only gives us a clearer understanding of Jesus Christ but also has profound implications for our lives as Christians. When we grasp what it means to be servants of Christ, our love for him and our obedience to him deepen. Understanding that the ultimate Servant, Jesus Christ, indwells his people, to empower them to serve others in love, has the potential to transform how we interact with fellow believers and the world around us.

Biblical Foundations Book Awards Finalist Deep within the human psyche lies a sense that we were made for something more than this broken world. We all share an experience of exile—of longing for our true home. In this ESBT volume, Matthew S. Harmon explores how the theme of sin and exile is developed throughout Scripture. He traces a common pattern of human rebellion, God's judgment, and the hope of restored relationship, beginning with the first humans and concluding with the end of exile in a new creation. In this story we encounter the remarkable grace of a God who wants to dwell with his people, and we learn how to live well as exiles in a fallen world. Rebels and Exiles makes clear how the paradigm of sin leading to exile is foundational for understanding both the biblical storyline and human existence. Essential Studies in Biblical Theology (ESBT), edited by Benjamin L. Gladd, explore the central or "essential" themes of the Bible's grand storyline. Taking cues from Genesis 1-3, authors explore the presence of these themes throughout the entire sweep of redemption history. Written for students, church leaders, and laypeople, the ESBT offers an introduction to biblical theology.

Simple Questions to Ask Every Time You Open Your Bible We all know that we should read our Bibles—yet at times we struggle with knowing exactly how, no matter how long we’ve followed Jesus. In this empowering book, Professor Matthew Harmon walks us through two simple sets of questions to ask every time we open our Bibles: Understanding the Bible:1. What do we learn about God? 2. What do we learn about people? 3. What do we learn about relating to God? 4. What do we learn about relating to others? Applying the Bible:1. What does God want me to understand? 2. What does God want me to believe? 3. What does God want me to desire? 4. What does God want me to do? Arming you with practical ways to get to the heart of any passage, this book will help position you to experience the joy that results from being transformed by God’s Word.

"A tremendous resource for those wanting to study and teach the Bible with an understanding of how the gospel is woven throughout Scripture." —Bryan Chapell, Pastor, Grace Presbyterian Church The Knowing the Bible series is a resource designed to help Bible readers better understand and apply God’s Word. These 12-week studies lead participants through books of the Bible and are made up of four basic components: (1) reflection questions help readers engage the text at a deeper level; (2) “Gospel Glimpses” highlight the gospel of grace throughout the book; (3) “Whole-Bible Connections” show how any given passage connects to the Bible’s overarching story of redemption, culminating in Christ; and (4) “Theological Soundings” identify how historic orthodox doctrines are taught or reinforced throughout Scripture. With contributions from an array of influential pastors and church leaders, these gospel-centered studies will help Christians see and cherish the message of God’s grace on every page of the Bible. Appointed to be a prophet before he was born, Jeremiah faithfully preached God’s Word in the face of confusion, opposition, and persecution. When instructed, he brought the message of God’s righteous judgment against sin to the nation of Israel, but not without reminding them of God’s covenant faithfulness. In this 12-week study, Matthew Harmon highlights key biblical themes, clarifies crucial doctrines, and draws personal applications from the book of Jeremiah—reminding us of the truth that God’s proclamation of judgment is always intended to spur his people to seek salvation in and through him.

Many people think eschatology refers to events occurring at the end of history. In this book, two scholars with expertise in biblical eschatology argue that God's kingdom breaking into this world through Jesus Christ has inaugurated a new creation, a reality that should shape pastoral leadership and be reflected in the life and ministry of the church. Brief and accessibly written, this book articulates the practical implications of G. K. Beale's New Testament Biblical Theology and features an introductory chapter by Beale. Each chapter concludes with practical suggestions and a list of books for further study.

Scholars have long recognized the importance of Paul’s citations from the Pentateuch for understanding the argument of Galatians. But what has not been fully appreciated is the key role that Isaiah plays in shaping what Paul says and how he says it, even though he cites Isaiah explicitly only once (Isaiah 54:1 in Galatians 4:27). Using an intertextual approach to trace more subtle appropriations of Scripture (i.e., allusions, echoes and thematic parallels), Harmon argues that Isaiah 49-54 in particular has shaped the structure of Paul’s argument and the content of his theological reflection in Galatians. Each example of Isaianic influence is situated within its original context as well as its new context in Galatians. Attention is also paid to how those same Isaianic texts were interpreted in Second Temple Judaism, providing the larger interpretive context within which Paul read Scripture. The result is fresh light shed on Paul’s self-understanding as an apostle to the Gentiles, the content of his gospel message, his reading of the Abraham story and the larger structure of Galatians.