Craig Keener @keener_craig Twitter profile

Last Seen Profiles

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@Sked_GG

@_vikingboys

Craig Keener

@keener_craig

3 years

To Christians who promote every conspiracy theory (QAnon, mark of beast in vaccines, etc.): you are actually part of a grander, demonic conspiracy: so that after you have cried wolf too often, no one will believe you when REAL trouble comes. 🙁

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

3 years

Although Aramaic and Greek were dominant spoken languages in Galilee and Judea, Hebrew was the HOLY language. Yet the tongues at Pentecost showed that God has sanctified ALL languages as vehicles for His gospel. May we join together across all languages and cultures to exalt Him!

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

2 years

How many sermons actually explain biblical passages? How many preachers practice solid Bible teaching as seriously as doctors or engineers practice their disciplines? God could sue some of us for malpractice😬

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

2 years

I believe the verses used to support a pretribulational rapture are all out of context, though I know many disagree. But a more fundamental issue for all our hearts: we should be far more eager for Jesus's return than afraid of any suffering that might precede it.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

2 years

Sometimes we need to let our dreams be crucified with Christ so we can be raised up with him for his plan for our lives.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

2 years

Many religions have some good ideas, but only the Jesus message declares a God who loves us to the extent of becoming one of us and dying for us. When I was once an atheist, I thought that was too good to be true. Now that I know him, I marvel at such amazing love.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

1 year

In an autoimmune disease, our immune system attacks our own healthy cells. In the body of Christ in the US, we are so inward-looking that we sometimes waste our efforts attacking one another instead of promoting Christ.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

9 months

Some conservative evangelicals expend enormous effort to defend the idea of a "young" earth. Yet most evangelical biblical commentators don't think the Bible itself actually teaches that.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

5 years

My @BakerAcademic commentary on Galatians has just come out!

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

1 year

Some complain that I fellowship with “apostolic” circles, or mainline, Catholic, and Orthodox Christians. So let me be clear: I am a charismatic evangelical, and yes, all of the above, and cessationists too. I even welcome fellowship with those who won't fellowship with me 😀

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

9 months

We don’t reinstitute first-century slavery (as in Eph 6:5-8) to submit to authority today; neither need we reinstitute first-century hierarchical marriage forms tin 5:22-23. Mutual submission frames the instructions (5:21; 6:9); the Lord calls ALL to serve (Gal 5:13).

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

5 years

My most important academic work since the four-volume Acts commentary is out. It explores what the genre of the Gospels implies for how much we can know about Jesus historically (hint: a lot)

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

3 years

The Holy Spirit’s empowerment is not about self-achievement and fulfillment but about mission and ministry.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

3 years

The Bible says that God is near the lowly but far from the proud. Historically, revivals have come especially among the lowly, who are desperate for God. The world and our country are experiencing chaos. What better time to humble ourselves and seek God's face?

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

4 years

Religious dogmatism: I’m right, you’re wrong; God agrees with me. Secular dogmatism: I’m right, you’re wrong; everybody smart agrees with me. Absolutist dogmatism: I’m right, you’re wrong. Relativist dogmatism: nothing’s wrong ... except you if you disagree with me on that.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

2 years

Jesus said the world will hate you. Unfortunately, when some claim his name yet act in ways contrary to his character, they inspire hatred for less noble reasons.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

8 months

From my times in Nigeria, it seems to me that Boko Haram, ISIS, and Hamas share a common ideology of death, that harms Jews, Christians and Muslims alike. But at the cost of his own life, Jesus brings life.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

3 years

When some academic peers look down on you for following your sincere convictions: Ps 119:51: The arrogant utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from your law.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

3 years

God likes to surprise us. I had an unexpected charismatic experience two days after my conversion from atheism, moved by the Spirit present in the gospel brought to me by … cessationists.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

1 year

You don’t respond to a counterfeit bill by rejecting real bills, old or new. If you get burned by a messed-up church, find a real one. (Though like old bills, no church is perfect—unless Jesus is its only member.)

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

1 year

My article for the Roys Report on what's happening at Asbury: . Short version: God took us by (wonderful) surprise!

Opinion: What is Revival—and is it Happening at Asbury?

New Testament scholar & Asbury Seminary professor Craig Keener shares what he has seen on campus and whether it should be termed 'revival.'

julieroys.com

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

9 months

One of my academic books is a collection of studies on the biblical Book of Acts. For the week of Sept. 12 through Sept. 19 the ebook version is FREE at (if you prefer the Kindle version, it is $2.99), using the checkout code KEENER23

Between History and Spirit- Wipf and Stock Publishers

Craig Keener is known for his meticulous work on New Testament backgrounds, but especially his detailed work on the book of Acts. Now, for the first time in ...

wipfandstock.com

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

2 years

Jesus reached out to the sick, the poor, little children, and the hungry, while the elites wanted him dead. In whose company do we feel most comfortable today?

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

6 years

Hello? Is this thing on? #myfirstTweet

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

1 year

If we recognize the importance of uniting both Word and Spirit, it would be great to bring the Word people and the Spirit people into dialogue to learn from one another.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

2 years

If anybody actually has time to write the book, here's a title (feel free to adjust the subtitle): MIRROR CHRISTIANITY: The self-absorbed individualism of the U.S. Church

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

3 years

Partisan politics aside (and tweets have to be short), justice demands supporting refugees, the poor, the vulnerable, anywhere. Yet isn't a human fetus alive (with distinct DNA) and human? Shouldn't justice include graciously supporting ALL vulnerable humans?

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

4 years

Jesus sacrificed himself for others and used his miraculous power to serve others; he taught his followers to do the same. It's not about what we can get out of Jesus. It's about how we can be like him.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

3 years

If all there really is is matter, then ultimately there isn’t anything that really matters

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

2 years

What will this day look like, 100 billion trillion years from now? I have one life to live in this world, so I want every day of it to count for JESUS.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

5 months

Just because God uses someone doesn’t mean they’re godly. And God’s work remains honorable even when some untrustworthy people are involved. Fire consumed the sinful priests, but their censers devoted to the Lord remained holy (Num 16:37-39).

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

1 year

I have only one life to offer my creator and redeemer, but I want to offer it with all my heart.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

3 years

The Bible itself nowhere says that spiritual gifts will cease. So why do some churches justify disobeying 1 Corinthians 14:1, 39?

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

3 years

Some deny biblical miracles because they say God doesn't do miracles today. But guess what? Happy Baker Academic has just released my new Miracles Today. (pics below)

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

1 year

If you're like me, you don't have much time to watch videos. But in case you're NOT like me, I have many free New Testament lectures posted (though the video is best for the Mark and Holy Land ones) at

Craig Keener

Welcome to the official YouTube Channel of Dr. Craig Keener. Dr. Keener serves as F. M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies at Asbury Seminary and is the current president of the Evangel...

www.youtube.com

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

1 year

Some suppose that serving is a women's role, but Jesus said that the greatest is the one who serves. Come on, guys, do you want the women to be on top of us for all eternity? (see Gal 5:13)

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

3 years

If we value our physical health and longevity, we prepare healthy food rather than just consuming junk food. So why would we think looking at a verse here and there is a substitute spiritually for spending time studying Scripture?

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

8 months

Not sure how long this will be available, but at the moment the Kindle of my background commentary is about $3!

The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (IVP Bible Background Commentary Set)

www.amazon.com

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

4 years

If we can figure out why Jesus was more welcome among sinners and other outsiders than among the religious elite, it might help those of us who love him better avoid the dangers of acting like the latter group today.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

3 years

I love my personal devotional time. But personal devotions don’t give us credit with God if we don’t share with the poor: Isaiah 58:1-7. (58:7: “…share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house” ESV [so you’ll know it’s not "liberal" :-) ])

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

3 years

Jesus warns against false prophets who exploit his sheep. Surely this includes QAnon and others who promote falsehood for political gain.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

2 years

God shows us enough to invite faith, but someday faith will be sight (2 Cor. 5:7). Now is the only time in the history of eternity when we can demonstrate faith, a privilege even the angels do not have in the same way.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

6 months

Would you be happy if your spouse said, “We can be married just one morning a week, but I’ll give you an allowance?” God doesn’t want just your tithe or Sunday morning. He wants way more than that. He wants your heart. He wants YOU.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

3 years

Some deny biblical miracles because they say God doesn't do miracles today. But guess what? Happy Baker Academic has just released my new Miracles Today.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

9 months

Some asked my view. Tweets have to be short, but to keep it short, trying to date creation based on Genesis 1ff misses the entire point of the text read in Hebrew and the text's original ancient Near Eastern context.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

2 years

When we become mature and view our parents not just as providers but of persons with feelings, we care about their hearts. May we serve God not ONLY to know his approval, but also to make his heart glad.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

3 years

Salvation is not only from sin’s penalty, but from sin (alignment against God). Faith is not merely passive assent, but loyal trust. Where Christianity is popular, merely statistical Christians flourish, but where faith is costly, Christians already get the point.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

3 years

The precursors of modern Judaism in Jesus’s day were especially Hillelite Pharisees. Hillelites had more in common with Jesus’s teaching (which continued the spirit of earlier prophets) than with the Sadducees, who got him executed. Don't blame Judaism for Jesus's execution!

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

5 years

In Acts 2 and Acts 4, we see the Spirit poured out after God's people pray. But we pray for revival not so we can say we've had revival. We pray for revival because we know we NEED God's Spirit for the mission in this world He has given us.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

1 year

People and cultures often learn the hard way. Have we really not yet learned that sin is bad for us??? 😟

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

1 year

Since all members of Christ's body have gifts for one another (1 Corinthians 12), we're ALL technically charismatic in the biblical sense. Now if we can just value all of one another's gifts

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

2 years

In a democracy, social transformation that is long-term requires building a moral consensus. Extreme rhetoric without dialogue may please a polarized, partisan base, but it engenders backlash and risks undermining the causes it claims to protect.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

6 months

We’ve got an epistemic epidemic (cf. 2 Thess 2:10), a world that no longer distinguishes between fact and fiction

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

3 years

Our earlier concerns (articles, blog posts) failed to gain much traction, but I hope that Ed Stetzer's will now, at this critical time:

Evangelicals face a reckoning: Donald Trump and the future of our faith

We must live up to our calling as evangelicals: to proclaim Jesus Christ to the world, rather than betray Him to sustain worldly power.

www.usatoday.com

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

2 years

We should lament lives lost through botched illegal abortions. But if a fetus is both alive and human, all successful abortions also end a human life.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

3 years

Some of the US prophets who predicted Donald Trump's win have publicly repented for the inaccuracy. Some diehard Trump supporters responded by condemning them as traitors to the cause! But repentance is helpful for MUCH of the US Church:

Failed Trump Prophecies Offer a Lesson in Humility

Instead of persecuting prophets who have apologized, we might do better to join them.

www.christianitytoday.com

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

3 years

A response to those who claim that the vaccine is the mark of the beast (!):

Anti-antichrist-anti-vaxxers: or, why the vaccine is not the mark of the beast - Bible Backgrounds

Afghanistan and Haiti rightly dominate the news cycle and global prayer concerns right now. But turning momentarily to a problem in the U.S. (and some other countries), I tweeted about a week ago...

craigkeener.com

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

3 years

Scripture often speaks of God's faithful love and truth. In myths of surrounding nations, deities could work at cross-purposes or with unpredictable caprice, but YHWH was true, a Hebrew term that suggests his dependability. His people could count on his word.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

1 year

My experience of the outpouring at Asbury:

The Asbury revival

Some of the backstory and personal encounters involved in the 2023 Asbury revival

www.youtube.com

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

3 years

God already poured out the Spirit “in the last days” for prophecies, visions and dreams (Acts 2:17-18). How can it be before-last days? If anything, it's “laster” days? Let's welcome all God's work today.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

4 months

Again, I lack political expertise, so I can only speak for myself. For the first time ever, I actually made a monetary contribution to a political campaign (Nikki Haley's). I would really like to see an alternative to 2020 in 2024 ...

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

3 years

Reading Steve Addison’s book about movements (The Rise and Fall of Movements) reminds me to articulate better that the church is not supposed to be an institution protecting its societal gains but a mission movement committed to reach the world.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

5 years

Going to try and increase my activity on Twitter. Won't be able to interact with everyone who tweets at me, but would still love to hear your thoughts. Hopefully, I can interact every once in a while.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

10 months

The virtue of tolerance rightly says, “We can be friends even when we disagree.” Absolutized (and thus inconsistent) relativism says, “Everything’s true unless it claims to be.” Society today too often confuses the two.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

4 years

Racism violates the very heart of the gospel that evangelicals preach. Some of us have produced a very basic statement about this:

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

11 months

Proverbs (in the Bible and elsewhere) can't qualify every angle, but are concise, catchy statements of general principles--like sound bites or tweets. Though both can be used in very foolish ways (Proverbs 26:7, 9)

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

6 years

Distinguishing levels of biblical literacy: the book is called Revelation, NOT Revelations! @SBLsite

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

2 years

Today is tomorrow's yesterday. Don't waste it.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

6 years

Many Christians who don't read the Bible much see the Bible as too difficult and idealistic or irrelevant. Many Christians who do read the Bible a lot see many other Christians as worldly. Who is right? Read the Bible and find out!

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

2 years

My best-selling work over the years has been the @ivpress Bible Background Commentary. @SeminaryNow just created a new streaming video course (the movie version of the book! :-) ) Free preview > > Subscribe to their library of courses for just $20/mo

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

5 years

God sends rain on just and unjust, providing his creatures life to enjoy. Instead of gratitude for the unmerited yet finite gift of life, we often focus on fear of death. Yet God DID design us for life, and restored that option by his own Sacrifice greater than any other gift.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

3 years

In Mark 4, not all soil embraces the seed of he kingdom message. But neither can any other message, designed merely to please various soils, produce kingdom fruit.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

2 years

My 15-years colleague Ron Sider just passed :-(. My tribute is here:

Tribute to Ron Sider - Bible Backgrounds

I am mourning today my colleague for 15 years, one of my dearest friends, Ron Sider (blogsite). I first learned of Ron when I was an undergraduate, when I heard Gordon Fee declare that Ron's Rich...

craigkeener.com

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

5 months

I lack expertise in politics and in predictions, but just wondering: Polls so far suggest that Haley would far outperform Trump against Biden in a general election. Does this suggest that those supporting Trump in the Republican primaries are in effect supporting Biden?

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

5 years

Mere human striving for holiness can produce legalism, insecurity and arrogance. Grace empowers true holiness

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

9 months

You are what you eat: the body of Christ (see 1 Cor 10:16-17; 11:29; 12:12 ...)

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

1 year

Jer 14:13-14: I said, “Alas, LORD! The prophets keep telling them, ‘You will not see the sword ... I will give you lasting peace in this place.’ ” Then the LORD said to me, “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them"

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

4 years

Acts commentary, Keener's ONE-volume version (Cambridge) 1 minute via @YouTube

Acts commentary, Keener's ONE-volume version (Cambridge) 1 minute

Describing the benefits of this shorter version of Craig's Acts commentary

www.youtube.com

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

4 years

How to be smarter than Craig Keener and all your profs (plus, smarter than your foes!): see Ps 119:97-100

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

4 years

Mark 1.1: forty minutes on Mark's first verse via @YouTube

Mark 1.1: forty minutes on Mark's first verse

Mark's first verse introduces some major themes of Mark's Gospel. The rest of the Gospel, however, develops those themes in some rather surprising ways!

www.youtube.com

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

3 years

Worldview Bulletin published my brief (7-paragraph) response to David Hume on miracles () in view of my forthcoming book, Miracles Today (Baker Academic, October)

Hume and Miracles Today

By Craig S. Keener

worldviewbulletin.substack.com

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

4 years

How much is one life worth? To God, we are worth the price of his Son. Don't waste the chance to embrace the new life that God paid such a price for.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

5 months

This stuff was already happening in Nigeria in the late 1990s when I spent three summers there. Tragically, it still continues :-(

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

3 years

Timothy Gombis on Mark 13:7-8: “The fears and suspicions fostered by prophetic speculation, however, are precisely what biblical faith is meant to overcome; this is exactly what Jesus warned his disciples about.”

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

1 year

@pastordmack In the 1990s a friend from Nigeria (later the best man in my wedding) told me that he had figured out the disparity between what North American women could do in Africa and here: North Americans had a "lower standard" for Africa. They were BOTH sexist AND ethnocentric!

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

6 years

What is going on in 1 Corinthians 13:1? Check out this short (3 minutes) video where I discuss what Paul likely meant when he used the phrase "tongues of angels." via @

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

1 year

@mrssusanmorales @DougGroothuis @bethallisonbarr @mbird12 @PhilipBPayne @NijayKGupta The accusation would essentially treat us as heretics. 1 John is big on denouncing schismatics--such as those who withdraw fellowship from others who are serving the Lord. So the accuser in this case had better be right--or he condemns himself.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

5 years

The Cross: God will reveal the riches of His grace to us through all the ages to come (Eph 2:7). As God is infinite, as the price of Jesus's sacrifice is infinite, we will appreciate His love ever more deeply through eternity, and what He gave when He gave Himself for us.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

7 months

@carmenjoyimes In the legend used by Josephus, Moses married a Nubian princess while he was an Egyptian general.

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

11 months

@BethMooreLPM Grateful for your voice!

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

3 years

‘They Cannot Burn Jesus Out of Me’: Mozambique Pastors Minister to Survivors of Violent Insurgency via @CTmagazine

‘They Cannot Burn Jesus Out of Me’: Mozambique Pastors Minister to Survivors of Violent Insurgency

Despite the risks in the region, Christians are flocking to camps and targeted villages to provide resources and spiritual care.

www.christianitytoday.com

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

3 years

Societies that no longer distinguish between right and wrong are capable of reverting to genocide or other atrocities. Truth by personal preference undermines public health in pandemics and supports oppressive regimes spinning alternate “facts.” See

The greatest security threat of the post-truth age

The terms "national security" or "cyber-security" may be familiar – but what about "epistemic security"?

www.bbc.com

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

1 year

Pastor charged with battery!

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

1 year

@bcastlemiller What are you studying in NT now? I should send you any of my books that are relevant. (Reference books mostly. You won't need to keep up with them! :-) )

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

10 months

@NijayKGupta @BrazosPress That makes me feel better, Nijay, because everyone tells me that I am weird. :-)

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

3 months

@pastordmack I want so much to vote for her but independents can't vote in primaries in my state. :-( But for the first time in my life I have actually sent campaign donations!

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

2 years

@bcastlemiller Once in a while, I have nightmares of doing research and my data keeps shifting or disappearing. Happily, more often I get to dream about teaching what I'm learning. And occasionally, in the best dreams, I actually get to be inside the biblical story!

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

6 years

New blog post! A snippet ... "God takes weak people and shows his glory by using us." Read it in its entirety here: A boring genealogy—Exodus 6:10-26 via @

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

3 years

ETS Presidential Address 2020: A Mind For the Body--Romans 12.1-8 via @YouTube

ETS Presidential Address 2020: A Mind For the Body--Romans 12.1-8

In my presidential address to the Evangelical Theological Society (posted here after consultation with the executive director), I addressed Romans 12.1-8 and...

www.youtube.com

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Craig Keener

@keener_craig

8 months

@pastoremase Congratulations! Commentaries are my favorite kind of writing because I get to spend so much time in the biblical text!

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