Theopolis Logo

Writing

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

See all
sinitta-leunen-dvibhmzsy8e-unsplash
Epistemology

A Cheer for the Mystics

Mystical theologians are often unguarded, extreme, un-nuanced, pressing to the edges of heresy, sometimes beyond. Still, the mystics are worthy of study. Why? Many reasons. Unlike some late medieval and post-Reformation dogmaticians, mystical theologians are often instinctively and richly Trinitarian. Historical-critical approaches to Scripture left mystical theologians virtually untouched; mystics…

by Peter LeithartSeptember 2, 2013
portrait-of-william-shakespeare-1564-1616-ca-1865
Literature

Shadow and Substance in Shakespeare's Venice

Portia of Belmont is a “lady richly left,” as Bassanio says of her in the first Act of The Merchant of Venice . Plus, she’s beautiful and wise. Suitors clamber to Belmont in hope. Her father knew it would be so, and in his will set up a fairy-tale test…

by Peter LeithartAugust 28, 2013
carlo-alberto-burato-smdx3gleu_m-unsplash
Liturgy

Liturgy Traps

[fve]http://vimeo.com/72195198[/fve]

by James B. JordanAugust 26, 2013
screen-shot-2022-05-12-at-12-07-23-pm
Deuteronomy

Victory Food

In the nature of the case, “the” Christian meditation on Deuteronomy 14:1-21 cannot be written. Meditation offers too many possibilities, opens too many doors. There is not one and only one correct set of associations for a Christian to consider when thinking of Deuteronomy 14:1-21. We could, for example, consider…

by Ralph Allan SmithAugust 21, 2013
aaron-burden-1ebsmyrau-s-unsplash
Romans

David's Sin and Israel's Salvation, Part I

Having retold the story of the cumulative sin of Israel leading to the great atonement on the cross, Paul then reemphasizes that, just as both Jew and Gentiles were locked into sin and judgment, now they are both justified by faith: Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded.…

by Mark HorneAugust 20, 2013
ben-white-w8qqn1pmqh0-unsplash
Deuteronomy

You are what you eat

Deuteronomy 14 is full of allusions to events of Israel’s history and other portions of Scripture. What would an Israelite learn by mediation on these allusions? The answer, I believe, is at least fourfold. Faith, Worship, War For the ancient Israelite first hearing Moses’ sermon, or perhaps hearing it read…

by Ralph Allan SmithAugust 15, 2013

Showing page 189 of 309

See all
See all

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

Showing page 2017 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.