An Argument for God from Foreshadowing, Three Manly Resolutions from Edwards, and a Question About Your Resolutions
Welcome back to The Think Institute’s Newsletter. Every Friday, you get an idea from me, a quote from somebody else, and something to think about. Currently about 1,500 people like you receive this email. We’d like to introduce it to more people. Do you know someone whom you think would enjoy it? Feel free to share this link: https://thethink.institute/archives.
AN IDEA FROM ME
As we look forward to the new year, it’s important to realize that the Bible “looks forward” too. Specifically, in the Old Testament, there are numerous passages which anticipate—whether overtly or subtly—future events in the life of Jesus Christ. These clear examples of the literary technique called foreshadowing indicate that the Bible was in fact written by a masterful Author, namely, God. And that has led me to develop the following Argument from Foreshadowing:
Any use of foreshadowing in a work of literature is attributable to its author.
If the Bible contains foreshadowing, that foreshadowing is attributable to its Divine Author (i.e. God).
The Bible does contain the clear use of foreshadowing.
Therefore the foreshadowing of the Bible is attributable to God (No human author wrote or superintended the whole canon of Scripture, and therefore no mere human author could have been responsible for the Bible’s foreshadowing).
Denial of the Bible’s use of foreshadowing, which is extremely plain to see, after one has seen the evidence, is at least a willful denial rooted in bias and at most tantamount to the denial of the possibility of any author using foreshadowing in any literature at all.
In short, if foreshadowing is a thing (and it is), then God wrote the Bible. Learn more here: https://thethink.institute/articles/this-is-apologetics-episode-2-how-do-we-know-the-bible-was-written-by-god-an-argument-from-foreshadowing.
Do you want to get 2025 started right? Start reading the Bible (and see great examples of foreshadowing) with The Think Institute’s free reading plan to take you through the New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs. Get yours here: https://thethink.institute/store/the-new-testament-psalms-and-proverbs-3-month-bible-reading-plan.
A QUOTE FROM SOMEBODY ELSE
4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.
6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.
23. Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original intention, designs and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God’s glory, to repute it as a breach of the 4th Resolution.
—Three of the manliest entries in Jonathan Edwards famous Resolutions (Here’s a good, readable version from Desiring God: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-resolutions-of-jonathan-edwards).
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
Most people don’t keep their new year’s resolutions. Are you making any this year? What’s your strategy for keeping yours?
In Christ,
Joel Settecase
President, The Think Institute (https://thethink.institute).
P. S. Christian men, are you looking for real accountability and highest-quality education without having to go to seminary? You will get that in the Hammer & Anvil Society, our premium discipleship community for men only. Learn how you can get 8 weeks to try it out free here: https://hammerandanvil.circle.so/c/join/join-the-hammer-anvil-society.
Watch the introductory video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJuMww2T5N4