The Carson Center Podcast

In this lecture, Don Carson teaches mainly from Ezekiel 16, which describes Jerusalem’s spiritual adultery and compares the city to an ungrateful prostitute who turns to infidelity. Carson also points to Israel’s rebellion in forming a political alliance with Egypt. He explains that, despite the severe punishment described, God promised eventual restoration through an everlasting covenant when Jerusalem would repent and experience God's faithfulness.He teaches the following:Why Israel is compared to a “useless vine” and how it connects to the Bible’s larger metanarrativeAbsolutizing any one form of God’s love results in absurd theologyHow political alliances contributed to Israel’s downfallGod remembered Jerusalem and established an everlasting covenant with herThe new covenant would bring atonement for Jerusalem’s sinHow the metaphor of marriage and apostasy is used to illustrate the severity of Israel's rebellionThe importance of fidelity and the consequences of betrayal in both human and divine relationshipsThe imagery of marriage and atonement conveys God’s enduring love for his peopleHelp The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together

In this lecture, Don Carson contrasts false prophets, who lead others astray, with genuine prophets who speak truth grounded in God's revelation and call people to repentance. He emphasizes the importance of discernment in times of cultural decay and highlights the vitality of remaining faithfully rooted in the Scripture and committed to moral uprightness despite the pressures of a confused world.He teaches the following:Genuine prophets speak from God, while false prophets speak from imaginationFalse prophets will face divine judgment for their deceptionGenuine prophets call people to repentance and biblical knowledgeWhat’s spoken by genuine prophets aligns with revealed redemptive historyGod’s sovereignty embraces both good and evilFalse prophets are accepted by many, while genuine prophets are accepted by fewFaithfulness and discernment are necessary in a world that promotes moral relativismHelp The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together

In this lecture, Don Carson focuses on Ezekiel's vision of God's glory and the departure of the divine presence from the temple in Ezekiel 10–11. He explores the prophetic denunciation of Israel’s leaders, the promise of a new covenant, and the spiritual transformation of the people. Carson highlights the ultimate fulfillment of God’s purposes as seen in Revelation, where his people dwell with him in the new heaven and earth.He teaches the following:How the departure of God’s glory is a mark of judgmentGod's promise to gather the exiles and give them an undivided heartThe new covenant's removal of the need for mediating teachersHow John’s vision in Revelation 5 reflects the fulfillment of God’s promises to EzekielGod is always in control, and his way will triumphThe final consummation of God’s promises is seen in the new heaven and earthHelp The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together

In this lecture, Don Carson discusses Ezekiel’s visions from God in Ezekiel 8–9, which convey Jerusalem’s widespread idolatry and sinfulness. He contrasts the corruptibility of false worship with the necessity of true worship, and he connects the importance of authentic worship to historical awakenings. Carson underscores that without a clear moral vision, society risks decay.He teaches the following:Ezekiel's denunciation of corrupt worship that relativized GodHow corrupt worship dulls moral vision and invites divine judgmentThe Western world's interest in worship and search for spiritualityThe idol of jealousy in Ezekiel’s vision as an example of syncretismGod’s judgment of participants of corrupt worship and his mercy on those who grieve over their sinHow Ezekiel’s vision shows the moral impetus behind the Great AwakeningHelp The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together