Theopolis Logo

Writing

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

See all
bruno-van-der-kraan-v2hgnzrdfii-unsplash
Easter

An Easter Meditation

The resurrection stories in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are among the strangest stories in all of the literature of the world, even among the strangest stories in the Bible. That is true of each Gospel’s accounts individually, but even more of the collection as a whole. On the one…

by Ralph Allan SmithApril 20, 2025
gilles-lambert-pb_lf8vwapu-unsplash
Technology

Ministering to Mooks on the Age of the Internet of Beefs

As a pastor, I’m interested in discipleship. Christians are called to be disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ. Discipleship has everything to do with the disciplines we walk by in our lives. Things like Bible reading, prayer, and fasting are hallmarks of standard Christian discipleship. The basic thrust is that…

by Michael HansenApril 15, 2025
screenshot-2025-04-08-at-11-15-37-am
Chiasm

Immobility or Infinity: Chiastic Trajectories in Psalm 1

Psalm 1 is justly famous among biblical texts. It opens the Psalter, it’s a paean to the life-giving power of the Law, and it beautifully describes righteous life as a stable, fruitful tree. It subtly weaves the contrasting threads of wickedness and righteousness into a succinct summary of biblical wisdom:…

by Joseph RheaApril 8, 2025
alex-shute-xgfythgnszm-unsplash
Hebrews

Eight Lessons on the Psalms from the Book of Hebrews

No book is more quoted in Hebrews than the Psalter: there are quotations and allusions to psalms on virtually every page. And many of the quotations are not passing references but closely considered and repeatedly cited as the author of Hebrews develops his central arguments. Much of Hebrews is exposition…

by Alastair RobertsApril 1, 2025
amjd-rdwan-erymmvvsy1y-unsplash-1
Theology

The God Problem

Howard Bloom is a beautiful hypocrite. The author of books in as different subjects as Mohammed, scientific theory, and the cultural upheaval of the 1960s, he professes to be a “stone cold atheist.” Yet in spite of that profession, Bloom obviously writes as a Jew; that is, he writes with…

by Ralph Allan SmithMarch 27, 2025
flannery_t1100
Art

The Comedic World of Flannery O’Connor

There may be some debate about who deserves the title “the King of American literature,” but, at least to my mind, there should be no debate over who deserves to be “the Queen” – let’s give the crown to Flannery O’Connor. She is, however, a very unlikely queen. Unlikely, not…

by Steve WilkinsMarch 25, 2025

Showing page 11 of 309

See all
See all

Translation, 1 Kings 6

This translation is more experimental and iffy than the others. 1 Kings 6 is packed with architectural terms that are used only here, the translation of which is very doubtful. In these cases, I have considered possible etymologies that seemed appropriate to the architectural context. I have also translated all…

September 9, 2004

Gourds in the Pot

On the walls of the temple were carved wooden gourds. The word for these gourds is used only in 1 Kings 6:18 and 7:24. A related word, however, is used for ?wild gourd?Ein 2 Ki 4:39, the story of Elisha healing the pot of stew. Using a “pot” as an…

September 8, 2004

Temple as New Eve

The language of 1 Kings 6:1ff echoes in a number of respects the language of Genesis 2:21f. To wit: 1) The word for the “side chambers” that Solomon builds on the temple is the same as the word for “rib” in Gen 2:21. 2) After taking a rib, the Lord…

September 8, 2004

Sermon Outline, September 12

Beginning the House of Yahweh, 1 Kings 6 INTRODUCTION Solomon shows his wisdom by judging rightly in the case of the two prostitutes (1 Kings 3:15-28), in the organization of his kingdom (1 Kings 4:1-19), in his vast learning (1 Kings 4:29-34), and in his covenant with Hiram of Tyre…

September 8, 2004

Exhortation, September 5

With the Presidential election only two months away, we are entering into an intense political season. As we enter into this final stretch, we should take a moment to consider some guidelines for our political activity. Fortunately, we are in the middle of studying a book called the book of…

September 5, 2004

Eucharistic Meditation, September 5

1 Kings 4:21-24 As we saw in today?s sermon, the center of Solomon?s kingdom was the feast, the feast of joy. Solomon organized the kingdom, divided the kingdom into districts, selected men to manage and administer these regions. He had a cabinet, and there is no doubt that his kingdom…

September 5, 2004

Showing page 2056 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.