Explore our collection of theological essays, biblical studies, and reflections on faith and culture.
The Christian tradition has always had an uneasy relationship with the materiality of creation. Dirt, liquid, sex, blood, and bodies—the world and the flesh stand in company with the Devil as two of the three great enemies of the saints. Mundus, caro, et diabolus , as the old Latin saying…
Since the destruction of Jerusalem was an event of earth-shattering covenantal significance, what might be the meaning of the subsequent tragic events at the desert fortress of Masada? In Hebrew, the name Masada means “strong foundation or support,” from a root meaning “to hunt, lie in wait for prey.” Located…
Take a long look at the photo above. To whom is this woman praying? It is hard to tell, isn’t it? Suppose we watch her for a while. We may see her bow low to the floor. Her lips may move, though perhaps it is too low for us to…
Psalm 137 is widely regarded as one of the meanest of the imprecatory psalms. Certainly as we read it it is seems to be a song of pure vengeance. The exiles in Babylon, in grief over the judgment that Babylon has brought upon them, pray for the destruction of that…
Forty men and women came from all over the United States to attend the 2018 Trinity Term course at Theopolis. Pastors, students, teachers, an electrician, a city planner, and others from a variety of denominations spent five days at Beeson Divinity School studying covenant epistemology under the tutelage of philosopher…
Matthew records that Jesus "withdrew" to Galilee to begin His public ministry there after He "heard that John had been delivered up" (Mt. 4:12). Matthew’s typically matter-of-fact style veils the truly remarkable character of Jesus’ withdrawal. Matthew has been presenting Jesus as the Messiah, the Seed of Abraham and Son…
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In their study of race and evangelicalsm ( Divided by Faith ), Michael Emerson and Christian Smith observe that “in the context of a pluralistic society, social groups construct and maintain collective identities by forming symbolic boundaries.” These boundaries are essential to the group. Every group defines itself, to some…
From Wesley's Journal, December 1, 1767: “Being alone in the coach, I was considering several points of importance: and thus much appeared as clear as the day: That a man may be saved who cannot express himself properly concerning imputed righteousness. Therefore to do this is not necessary to salvation.…
When the Lamb opens the fifth seal, John sees martyrs under the altar crying out for vindication (Revelation 6). It's a recapitulation of the plea of the oppressed in Psalm 79: “Why should the nations say, ‘Where is their God?' Let there be known among the nations in our sight,…
Daniel 3 tells the famous story of the three men in the fiery furnace. It's an image of Israel's experience in exile. They are sent into the furnace of Babylon, but they survive the fire - more than survive, they come out unsinged and are elevated to higher positions than…
The disappointment of Go Set A Watchman isn't the disappointment in the character of Atticus Finch. By the end of the book, Jean Louise has recognized that she's as much a “states rightist,” just as offended and outraged by the Supreme Court's meddling in the South, just as much a…
Over at Slate , Reiham Salam explains why Trump isn't going away: He's not merely the focal point for GOP anger. He represents the American version of a global phenomenon, the rise of populist-nationalist movements. Salam compares Trump's appeal to that of the Danish People's Party, which has become “Denmark’s…
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