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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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Translation, 1 King 16:15-34

In the twenty and seventh year to Asa king of Yehudah Reigned-as-king Zimriy seven days in Tirtzah. Not the people [were] encamping against Gibbethon which [was] to the Pilshetim. And heard the people who were encamping, saying, ?Zimriy bound-together and also struck the king.?E And they caused to be king,…

February 2, 2005

Creation and Decree

In creating the world, Isaiah 48:13 tells us, God “laid the foundations of the earth.” In the context, this not only refers to Yahweh’s place at the origin of all things but His place at the end of all things: “I am He, I am the first, I am also…

February 2, 2005

Sermon Outline, February 6

INTRODUCTION Jeroboam?s dynasty has come and gone, and so has Baasha?s mirror-image dynasty. Omri initiates a new dynasty, and this is the most successful one in Israel?s history. It is also the most idolatrous one. THE TEXT ?In the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Judah, Zimri had reigned in…

February 2, 2005

Zimri and Abimelech

[ This post, unfortunately, was accidentally deleted in a server crash and has not been recovered. Maybe someday Dr. Leithart will rewrite it. ]

February 2, 2005
Literature

More on Timon of Athens

These thoughts are indebted to an article on Timon by Leo Paul S. de Alvarez in Alvis and West, Shakespeare as Political Thinker (ISI, 2000). 1) The play begins with a collection of Athenian artisans coming onstage, and we are immediately reminded that we are in Athens, the city of…

February 1, 2005

Atonement, Some Basics

Some basics on the atonement for class lecture. HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION The church has never creedally determined the doctrine of the atonement. Several models of atonement have dominated the landscape since the patristic period. Each of these contains an element of truth, and has some biblical grounding, though some can go…

February 1, 2005

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