Explore our collection of theological essays, biblical studies, and reflections on faith and culture.
Mark Horne has done a good job elucidating how martyrdom paves the way for revival and success of Christ’s kingdom in the world, just as it also can bring more hardship and suffering. The diverging wheat and tares both growing up together, both benefitting from the watering of blood on…
For Part 1, click HERE . Anyone who has read James B. Jordan’s Through New Eyes: Developing a Biblical View of the World and appreciated it as a revelation of how God communicates in symbols and types—both in His Word and in the created order—understands what it is like to…
Abel was the first martyr in history. There is no evading this. Jesus pairs him with a murdered prophet (Matthew 23:35; 2 Chronicles 24:20-22). Abel’s blood was heard by God (Genesis 4:10), and God responded to the cry by driving out Cain, Abel’s killer, from the eastern borderland near Eden…
Adapted from The Shape of Isaiah: A Covenant-Literary Analysis The prophetic texts are the most difficult parts of the Bible to understand. And when it comes to baffling the reader, they are no respecter of persons, perplexing with their Delphic wiles even the studied scholars. It has been said that…
The subtitle for the 2004 film Dodgeball is “A True Underdog Story.” If the viewer lets the words pass by without a double-take, he or she will likely spend the rest of the movie, which applies the “unlikely teammates make the best teams” trope to the “sport” of dodgeball, asking,…
The book of Ezra gives an almost odd amount of attention to vessels. These holy vessels, whether cups, bowls, or flagons, are either dedicated as tribute or were used in temple service. The two Hebrew words translated as ‘vessel’ in most English translations are used a total of 14 times.…
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A couple of reflections on Ruth, after reading some student papers. First, it’s fairly common to note the reverse inclusio around the book - Naomi loses sons at the beginning, and gains a son at the end. But in 4:15b, the women of the city claim that Ruth is better…
Let’s say that angels ruled were associated with the great powers of the ancient oikoumene (the period between Nebuchadnezzar and Nero). This is (perhaps) what’s in view in Daniel 10:13, 20. Jesus establishes the new imperium , and in Revelation 2-3 sends out letters to the “angels” of the churches.…
In John’s vision, Jesus has bronze feet, a golden girdle, a face shining like the sun and hair as white as wool and snow (Revelation 1:13-15). This seems to be a tabernacle image: The bronze altar, the gold of the holy place, and the shining glory of the cloud in…
Paul (Colossians 1:18) and John (Revelation 1:5) both describe Jesus as the “firstborn from the dead.” The firstborn is the heir, and so the firstborn of the dead is the heir of the world of death. He has the keys to death and hades. Death holds no fear, no dangers;…
The NASB translates Deuteronomy 32:43, “Rejoice, O nations, with His people; for He will avenge the blood of His servants.” Hebrews 1:6, partially quoting the LXX of the same passage, says “and worship Him all angels of God.” The LXX also includes an exhortation to the “sons of God” to…
The English verb “keep” often translates the Hebrew shamar , “guard,” often used to describe the temple ministry of priests and Levites. Priests and Levites guarded the house of Yahweh, and also, literally, guarded the commandments, written on tablets and placed in the ark of the covenant. When the OT…
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