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Writing

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

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Matthew

Fertile Toledots

The Book of Genesis contains eleven distinct markers readily acknowledged as the toledot formula. 1 Commentator Nahum Sarna counts the ’elleh toledot to be “…one of the distinguishing characteristics of the Book of Genesis”. 2 Among translations, the noun is variously translated as “generations” (ESV, KJV), “records of the generations”…

by Ben LoveladyDecember 20, 2022
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Romans

Who was Judah's Wickedest King? (Kings & Romans 1:18ff)

The answer that immediately comes to mind to the question in the title is Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah. He was conceived during the extension of life that God granted Hezekiah in response to his ardent prayer on his sick bed (2 Kings 20:1-11, 21:1). His reign is summarized in…

by Mark HorneDecember 13, 2022
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Ecclesiology

The End of Premium Mediocre Church

Back in 2019, on a whim, I sketched out a setting for a modern fantasy story: a single coffee shop that is simultaneously present in multiple cities throughout the world: “...you know the one. Books by local authors, brochures for a walking tour of the city’s outdoor sculpture, a poetry…

by Tim NicholsDecember 6, 2022
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Colossians

Colossians 4:2, “Watch"

Peter O’Brien’s translation of Colossians 4:2 surprised me: “Persevere in prayer as you watch for the Lord’s return, and be thankful.” 1 What is surprising about that? Well, none of my English translations mentioned “the Lord’s return” — nor does the Greek text! Translated literally, the verse just says: “In…

by Ralph Allan SmithNovember 29, 2022
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Books

The Laws and the Cosmos: A Brief Response to Stephen Wolfe on Cicero

I Natural Law This is a brief (well, briefer than it could be) first attempt at responding to a very small section of Stephen Wolfe’s recent book The Case for Christian Nationalism . It’s partial, deeply incomplete, and does not at all address the book as a whole; it is…

by Susannah Black RobertsNovember 24, 2022
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Formation

A Bad Man Speaking Well

The scuttlebutt of the last hundred years would tell us that Albert Einstein was a horrible husband, Winston Churchill was a racist, Mother Theresa was a hypocrite, and Caravaggio a murderer. From Benjamin Britten’s boys to Gandhi’s girls, it can be depressing and confusing to hear about people of great…

by Garrett SoucyNovember 22, 2022

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History

First Thousand Years

My review of Robert Wilken’s superb The First Thousand Years: A Global History of Christianity is available at the Gospel Coalition site.

February 1, 2013

Memory tricks

Oliver Sacks discusses false memories, forgettings and autoplagiarism - his own and others’. These afflict teachers and writers perhaps more than others: “It is startling to realize that some of our most cherished memories may never have happened—or may have happened to someone else. I suspect that many of my…

February 1, 2013
Politics

Good v. Bad Republicans

Reflections on the present and future of the Republican Party next door .

February 1, 2013

Offering delight

Delight, writes Paul Griffith in Song of Songs (Brazo’s Theological Commentary on the Bible) (92-3) is “an offering rather than an asking.” By gazing appreciatively at his beloved and praising her in words, the lover offers “the beloved his appreciation of her and, in making that offering, gives[s] to her…

February 1, 2013

Nature & Grace

From Thomas a Kempis, The Imitation of Christ (Penguin Classics) , ch 54: “Nature indeed is wily and betrays many through its deceits and crafty ways, and has always self as its end. Nature always looks to its own advantage, considering what gain it can derive from another. But grace…

January 31, 2013

Backlash

Back in May 2012, Joel Rosenberg reported at his blog : “’Iran’s ayatollahs are showing frustration with Iranians leaving Islam for Christianity in large numbers despite the threat of execution for apostasy,’ reports Reza Khalili on The Daily Calle r website . . . . “A former intelligence officer in…

January 31, 2013

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