Explore our collection of theological essays, biblical studies, and reflections on faith and culture.
Part 1 We do not understand the role of women in ministry because we do not understand the role of men in ministry. We do not understand the role of men in ministry because we do not understand the church. We do not understand the church because the consumer culture…
1. One structure The Creation account (G1:1-2:4) conspicuously conveys meaning using the literary shape of the text. The narrative is told with formulaic patterns, repetitions, and parallelism. The Garden account is different. It is viewed as a separate text, with its own author, employing its own structure. This second account’s…
I was reading James Jordan’s Creation in Six Days while also preparing for Trinity Sunday in which the gospel reading is John 3:1-15. As providence would have it Jordan dropped an easter egg for me along the lines of baptism. In chapter 5 he points out, “ On the second…
It's true. There is no verse in the New Testament that commands or records an infant baptism. This poses a problem for some Christians. Those who only look for explicit commands, or those whose theology is limited to the New Testament, will conclude that infant baptism is not biblical and…
1. Goal This paper’s goal is to identify and describe a literary strategy employed by scripture, namely using two episodes that cover similar territory or themes using details drawn from opposite ends of a number of spectrums. Once described the reader may recognize numerous other instances of this strategy in…
Numbers 14 records the tragic story of Israel’s decision to rebel against Yahweh and Moses. Twelve spies had been sent into the land to bring back a report to Israel. All twelve spies agreed: “We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey”…
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The sixth of seven speeches about the tabernacle (Exodus 31:1-11) is about a new Adam, Bezalel, and his helper, Oholiab. Bezalel, son of “My Light” (Uri) of the royal tribe of Judah, is the first man in Scripture to be filled with the Spirit (Exodus 31:3; cf. Genesis 41:38; Exodus…
The storming of the Capitol on January 6 was terrible, doubtless horrifying for those inside, who had no idea how much danger they might be in. Those who trespassed and vandalized offices should be prosecuted. It was a lawless and disgraceful display of mob stupidity. It could have been much,…
I’m tempted to answer Jordan Haddad’s good-naturedly critical response to my article on Alabama football by pointing to Saturday’s scoreboard. Pointing to the score should quiet any doubts – if such exist – about Alabama’s Augustinian appreciation of the ends of football, though that gesture might reinforce Haddad’s worries about…
Exodus 30:34-38 has a fairly neat inclusio at the beginning and end: A. Yahweh said, v. 34 B. Four spices, equal parts, v. 34 C. Incense, v. 35 D. Holy, v. 35 . . . D’. Most holy, v. 36 C’. Incense, v. 37 B’. Not in same measure, v.…
There are different forms of the life of the Spirit. The Spirit gives Bezalel and Oholiab artistic skill to make the furnishings of the tabernacle. The Spirit gives Solomon wisdom to rule and equips the Servant with counsel, might, and a zeal to liberate and to do justice. The Spirit…
Mary, and Mary alone , accompanies Jesus through His entire life. She conceives Jesus when the Spirit overshadows her, and she gives birth in Bethlehem. With Joseph, she escapes to the safe haven of Egypt. She cares for Jesus when they return to Nazareth. Mary is with Jesus through His…
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