Theopolis Logo

Writing

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

See all
david-weber-fwuo_zluhnw-unsplash
Books

For the Life of This World

Russian Orthodox liturgist Alexander Schmemann died in 1983, but his importance continues to grow, sometimes in surprising ways. A Russian transplanted to Paris and then to Crestwood, New York, he was an acute observer of the American religious scene. He possessed the clarity of vision the Spirit often grants to…

by Peter LeithartApril 15, 2013
aaron-burden-h8s0pf2rcqs-unsplash
Deuteronomy

Law and History: How to Read the Law of Moses (Part 5)

This is the fifth in a series of studies of Deuteronomy 22:3-23:8. "A bastard ( mazmer ) shall not enter into the assembly of Yahweh; even to the tenth generation shall none of his enter into the assembly of Yahweh" (Deuteronomy 23:2). [i] The translation “bastard” here for mazmer ,…

by Ralph Allan SmithApril 11, 2013
pawel-czerwinski-jbg6al282wq-unsplash
Christian Nationalism

Christian Imperialism

The Enlightenment project is very comprehensible in terms of the “Wars of Religion” that followed the Reformation. It's questionable whether all that is said about the Wars of Religion is entirely fair (R. J. Rushdoony’s Christian Survey of World History has some very helpful things to say about this). Still,…

by Richard BledsoeApril 8, 2013
aaron-burden-1ebsmyrau-s-unsplash
Deuteronomy

Law and History: How to Read the Law of Moses (Part 4)

The fourth in a series of studies on Deuteronomy 22:30-23:8. One wounded by crushing, or cut in the member shall not enter into the assembly of Yahweh (Deuteronomy 23:1. [i] The translation of this verse varies in different English versions. The basic idea is clear enough, however: a eunuch is…

by Ralph Allan SmithApril 3, 2013
markus-winkler-aid-xyrtlec-unsplash
Theopolis News

Leithart at Wheaton

Trinity House President Peter Leithart will give a lecture on violence at the 2013 Wheaton Theology Conference later this week.

by Peter LeithartApril 2, 2013
kiwihug-l4gw27xzn1i-unsplash
Deuteronomy

Law and History: How to Read the Law of Moses (Part 3)

The third in a series of studies on Deuteronomy 22-23. This continues the second essay, which examines Deuteronomy 22:30: "A man shall not take his father’s wife, and shall not uncover his father’s wing" (Hebrew: kanaf ). The Sin of Ham Another story would almost certainly occur to an ancient…

by Ralph Allan SmithMarch 27, 2013

Showing page 196 of 309

See all
See all

Adam in Galatians 4

Galatians 4 is clearly about the law’s role as guardian and steward in charge of Israel during her minority. But Paul’s description of Israel applies just as well to Adam. Adam was created a minor son, an infant, but was promised an inheritance. Paul hints at the Adamic dimensions of…

February 17, 2009

Structure of Matthew 21-22

Matthew 21:23-25 (possible 26:16) all takes place on a single day. Jesus comes to the temple a second time, wrangles with the priests and Pharisees, prounounces woes over them, predicts the destruction of the temple and the final review of sheep and goats. This is the “day of Yahweh,” the…

February 15, 2009

Wedding feast

Jesus’ parable of the wedding feast (Matthew 22:1-14) is normally taken as a parable about Jesus’ ministry. The invitees who refuse to come are the Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day, and the people from the streets are the tax gatherers and sinners or the Gentiles. The man cast out is…

February 15, 2009

Insurrection

Jesus’ parable of the wedding feast seems grotesquely exaggerated. Invitees killing the messenger? A wedding host destroying a city? A poor slob without a tux being thrown into “outer darkness”? In a 1996 JBL article, Richard Bauckham addresses these oddities by highlighting the political dimensions of the parable. The feast…

February 14, 2009

Matthew and Zephaniah

Daniel Olson ( CBQ 2005) revives JM Duncan Derrett’s suggestion that the parable of the wedding feast in Matthew 22:1-14 is dependent on the LXX of Zephaniah 1. After offering a translation of both passages in parallel, showing verbal links, he adds: “In addition to these highlighted correspondences . .…

February 14, 2009

Proverbs 12:8-14

INTRODUCTION This section of Proverbs focuses on issues of image, wealth, work, and treatment of employees (vv. 8-12), and ends with two verses that deal again with the use of the tongue (vv. 13-14). The final verses connect this section to the preceding section of this chapter (12:1-7). Thus, the…

February 13, 2009

Showing page 1416 of 2212

Browse by Category

In Medias Res

Your weekly digest for all things Theopolis.

Donate

Theopolis is nearly 100% donor-supported. Consider joining us on our mission.