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Writing

Explore our collection of theological essays, biblical studies, and reflections on faith and culture.

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Culture

Sacred Work in a Secular World

Several weeks ago, a picture of a man working at Trader Joe’s went viral. At first glance, it was hard to tell what was worthy of note in the picture—a man simply standing near a cash register. It turns out, the picture went viral not because of what the man…

by Dustin MesserOctober 4, 2018
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Biblical Theology

Jesus on Sinai

Among the many allusions in the transfiguration story, one allusion, or rather, one group of allusions, is especially prominent — allusions to Mt. Sinai. The first and least obvious of the allusions to Mt. Sinai is the expression “high mountain” in Matthew and Mark and “the mountain” in Luke. Ancient…

by Ralph Allan SmithOctober 2, 2018
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Biblical Theology

Jesus’ Transfiguration: The Context

The revelation of Jesus’ glory at the transfiguration is one of the most important stories in the synoptic Gospels. At Jesus’ baptism — the inauguration of New Covenant baptism with the Holy Spirit and the paradigm for Christian baptism — God the Father spoke from heaven: “You are My Son,…

by Ralph Allan SmithSeptember 27, 2018
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Proverbs

Solomon's Argument against Living by Plunder

The first section of Proverbs (chapters 1-9) contains two lengthy descriptions of temptations that a young man should resist and avoid (1:10-19 and 7). The two temptations are recruitment into a robber gang and being enticed by an adulterous wife. I've argued before that these are the two perversions of…

by Mark HorneSeptember 25, 2018
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Eucharist

The Gospel Invitation

Is there a Gospel invitation? To many evangelical Christians, the answer to that question is an unqualified "yes." Some calvinists, reacting against the misleading character of the "altar call," seem less interested in inviting men to anything than they are in sending men away to think about the message they…

by James B. JordanSeptember 20, 2018
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Counseling

The Sacramental System and Counseling

Effective pastoral care helps people progress to maturity. Historically, the Christian church worked out the sacramental system to assist people with the various conversions of life. While we Protestants believe in only two sacraments, it is helpful for us to look at the sacramental system, because there is some wisdom…

by James B. JordanSeptember 18, 2018

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A Walk Through Trinity’s Liturgy, Part 1

This continues a Sunday School series on worship, interrupted by the holidays and resumed on Sunday, January 23. INTRODUCTION In our previous studies, we have laid out some basic biblical patterns for worship. First, we examined the sacrificial character of worship, showing how the sequence of OT sacrifice provides a…

January 22, 2005

A Walk Through Trinity’s Liturgy, Part 1

This continues a Sunday School series on worship, interrupted by the holidays and resumed on Sunday, January 23. INTRODUCTION In our previous studies, we have laid out some basic biblical patterns for worship. First, we examined the sacrificial character of worship, showing how the sequence of OT sacrifice provides a…

January 22, 2005

Neologisms

My son Christian is making up words, and I’m hoping to get them into wider circulation. Gauble: n., a bauble of exceptional gaudiness. Chucklement: n., merriment expressed with uncontrollable chuckling. As in, “He was overcome with chucklement.” Shrinkle: v., to shrink and wrinkle simultaneously; or, what plastic does in the…

January 20, 2005
Literature

Girard on Troilus and Cressida

Girard has tpyically provocative and stimulating things to say about Troilus & Cressida (in Theater of Envy ). 1) He focuses attention on Pandarus as a representative of ?desire made man.?EHis business is to inflame Troilus and Cressida to love, which he does through exaggerated praise of the one to…

January 20, 2005
Literature

Notes on Troilus and Cressida

Scattered notes from Augostino Lombardo, ?Fragments and scraps?Ein Piero Boitani, The European Tragedy of Troilus (Clarendon, 1989). 1) Love seems to be taking hold in the midst of war at the beginning of the play, with Troilus removing his arms to win the war that takes place within him and…

January 20, 2005

Translation, 1 Kings 14

In that time became ill Aviyyah, son of Yarav?am. And said Yarav?am to his wife, ?Arise, please, And change yourself And they will not know that you [are] the wife of Yarav?am And walk/go to Shiloh. Behold there [is] Achiyyah the prophet He himself spoke concerning me as king over…

January 19, 2005

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