New Creation Conversations Episode 030 - Dr. Jeffrey Weima on Preaching the Seven Sermons to the Seven Churches and Reading and Interpreting Revelation Well

Welcome to episode thirty of New Creation Conversations. In today’s conversation I am joined by Dr. Jeffrey Weima. Jeff is Professor of New Testament at Calvin Theological Seminary where he has taught for twenty-five years. Originally from Canada, Dr. Weima has his undergraduate degree from Brock University. He has both an MDiv and ThM degrees from Calvin Seminary. And he has a PhD Wycliff College at the University of Toronto.

Jeff is a much sought-after speaker and has taught courses all over the world. He has written books on Paul’s Epistles – in particular, commentaries on 1 and 2 Thessalonians. However, his most recent work – and the one that drew my interest in having a conversation with him – is The Sermons to the Seven Churches in Revelation: A Commentary and Guide – which was just released recently by Baker Academic. Some of you may know that several years ago I also wrote a book on the seven letters in Revelation 2-3 entitled Seven Deadly Spirits: The Message of Revelation’s Letters for Today’s Church, and so I’ve had a great deal of interest in those chapters and really the entire book of Revelation for a long time. Jeff’s new book on the seven churches is really an excellent resource and I’m thrilled to get to a chance to talk with him about it.

One of the things that makes Jeff’s work so unique is not just his thoughtful approach to this unique section of Scripture, but the experience he has gained from his frequent travels to the areas of Turkey where the original churches in Asia were found. He also writes his book with preachers and teachers in mind – seeing them not so much as letters but oracles or sermons to the first century church – and to the church today as well. I gleaned a lot from my conversation with Dr. Weima, and I know you will too.