Biblical Literacy with Mark Lanier

As Christians, we groan inwardly not because something is wrong, but because the Holy Spirit within us creates a deep longing for the full redemption that is yet to come. We live in hopeful anticipation of our bodily resurrection and complete adoption into God's family — a guaranteed future anchored in the empty tomb of Jesus. The post Session 30 – Romans; Romans 8 Continued; Dr. David Capes...

Meet these two very special gentlemen who have spent their lives doing something a bit unusual — they've actually dedicated themselves to understanding what crucial scriptural texts that we love so much mean for us today. The post Special Event – Conversation with Dr. Ben Witherington and Dr. Steve Walton: Mark Lanier, 04/19/26 appeared first on Biblical Literacy .

What can you endure if you know something great is coming in the future? I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. The post Session 29 – Romans; Romans 8:18-22: Mark Lanier, 04/12/26 appeared first on Biblical Literacy .

In Romans 8, Paul uses the Roman law of adoption to show that in Christ, our debts are cancelled, our identity is made new, and our inheritance is secure. This lesson is a powerful reminder that we are not called to live as fearful slaves or self-reliant strivers, but as beloved children of God led by His Spirit. The post Session 28 – Romans; Romans 8 Continued: Mark Lanier, 03/29/26 appeare...

The verdict is already in: in Christ, there is no condemnation—no penalty, no second trial, no reversal. You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, and the same power that raised Jesus now lives in you. The post Session 27 – Romans; Romans 8:9-13: Mark Lanier, 03/22/26 appeared first on Biblical Literacy .

Waiting is not a failure of the system—it is the place where God is actively at work, shaping us and preparing what comes next. What feels like delay is often divine timing, where faith is formed and purpose unfolds. The post Special Event – A Theology of Waiting: Mark Lanier, 03/15/26 appeared first on Biblical Literacy .

In the Bible, a “name” is more than a label—it’s a track record. It’s a résumé that reveals character, history, and reputation. In this Biblical Literacy lesson, Mark Lanier explores what it means to know God’s “name,” why Scripture says God acts for His name’s sake, and why believers must be careful not to take credit for what belongs on God’s CV. The post Special Event – Don’t Steal...

The Psalms teach us to place God continually before us, trusting that when we face life through Him our souls can find peace even in the midst of trials. They remind us that God is actively shaping our lives, and that every victory, strength, and good work ultimately belongs on His resume, not ours. The post Special Event – Devotional Studies in the Psalms: Mark Lanier, 03/01/26 appeared fir...

Using the imagery of Olympic athletes and Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 4, this message challenges us to ask what kind of “summary statement” our lives are writing. It’s a call to fight the right battles, stay focused in the race of faith, and finish well by keeping our eyes on Christ. The post Special Event – Summary Statements; 2 Timothy 4:1-8: Dr. David Fleming, 02/22/26 appeared first on Bib...

A deep dive into Romans 8 exploring how your mindset shapes your life, faith, and spiritual direction. Discover Paul’s contrast between living by the flesh or the Spirit—and why one leads to death while the other leads to life and peace. The post Session 26 – Romans; Romans 8: Mark Lanier, 02/15/26 appeared first on Biblical Literacy .

What does it mean that there is “now no condemnation” in Christ? This teaching from Romans 8 explores how grace removes guilt, reshapes identity, and invites believers to live in the freedom and victory found in Jesus. The post Session 25 – Romans; Romans 8:1a, No Condemnation: Dr. David Fleming, 02/08/26 appeared first on Biblical Literacy .

The question isn't 'Is this physical or spiritual?' The question is: 'Am I relying on myself or on God?' The post Session 24 – Romans; Romans 8: Mark Lanier, 02/01/26 appeared first on Biblical Literacy .

Mark Lanier brings Romans to life with clarity, insight, and warmth, showing why Paul’s words still matter for faith today. This brief but rich lesson invites listeners to think deeply, listen closely, and discover the gospel anew. The post Session 23 – Romans; Romans 8: Mark Lanier, 01/18/26 appeared first on Biblical Literacy .

Mark Lanier sits down with Lyndon Drake to explore faith, neuroscience, Scripture, and what it really means to be human in a scientific age. The post Special Event – Conversation with Rev’d Dr. Lyndon Drake: Mark Lanier, 01/11/26 appeared first on Biblical Literacy .

Learn practical methods for studying Psalms, Proverbs, and the Gospels using four key questions that transform Scripture from confusing text into meaningful, applicable wisdom. The post How to Use a Study Bible, Part II: Mark Lanier, 01/04/26 appeared first on Biblical Literacy .

Jesus is the light of the world, and He should be the center of your Christmas celebration. Listen to God's message, obey it quickly, and share what He's doing in your life with others. The post Special Event – A Christmas Devotion; Brent Johnson, 12/14/25 appeared first on Biblical Literacy .

The Bible isn't a book it's a library with over 60 different books that require different reading approaches. If you want to truly understand Scripture, you need to know how to read poetry differently than history, and wisdom literature differently than narrative. The post How to Use A Study Bible, Part I: Mark Lanier, 12/07/25 appeared first on Biblical Literacy .

Paul never converted to a new religion—he recognized Jesus as the Messiah while remaining a faithful Jew. The real issue isn't whether this happened before or after Damascus Road, but whether you're living under the law's demands or the Spirit's power. The post Session 22 – Romans; Romans 7: 14-25: Mark Lanier, 11/16/25 appeared first on Biblical Literacy .

Mark continued in the study of Romans with a focus on Chapter 7: 1-7—Paul’s most debated chapter, especially the verses studied today. Paul uses a legal analogy. The post Session 21 – Romans; Romans 7:1-7: Mark Lanier, 11/02/25 appeared first on Biblical Literacy .

True freedom isn't the absence of a master—it's serving the right master. You are slaves of the one whom you obey. The post Session 20 – Romans; Romans 6:14-23: Mark Lanier, 10/26/25 appeared first on Biblical Literacy .

Don't let the witch—the serpent—beguile you into wrong thinking. Consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ. The post Session 19 – Romans; Romans 6:11-13: Mark Lanier, 10/12/25 appeared first on Biblical Literacy .

Mark begins the lesson by addressing a question or concern that we all may have had after giving our life to Christ.  We may be worried that we have done something wrong. Everything seems to be going wrong with my life. I am not living that Christian Victory. I am not that success story that says I gave my life to Jesus and now everything is rainbows. The post Session 18 – Romans; Romans 6-8...

Summary: Mark Lanier delivers a detailed biblical teaching on Romans 6:5-7, addressing the theological question of whether grace gives believers a license to sin. The session covers: Introduction Lanier opens by discussing the difficulty of Romans 9-11 and introduces the context through W.H. Auden’s Christmas oratorio, where Herod grapples with the implications of the Messiah’s [&#8230...

Grace is the cross of Christ, and in Christ crucified, we have sin defeated. Sin needed the death of Christ to get us out from under the thumb and dominion of sin and death. The post Session 16 – Romans; Romans 6: Mark Lanier, 09/21/25 appeared first on Biblical Literacy .

We don't boast in our achievements or our ancestry—we boast only in the cross of Christ. Your life has cosmic significance; you're not just trying to be a good person, you're participating in God's restoration of all things. The post Session 15 – Romans; Romans 5:15-21: Mark Lanier, 09/07/25 appeared first on Biblical Literacy .