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

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Hermeneutics

The Complexity of Biblical Allusion

There is no question about the fact that the book of Deuteronomy is full of literary allusion. But there is a serious problem, even a paradox, of understanding how that allusion works. To begin with, if we assume that Deuteronomy was written by Moses — with some editorial emendations added…

by Ralph Allan SmithJanuary 23, 2018
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Culture

The Artificial Resurrection

Genesis and Genetics in Blade Runner 2049 The power of science fiction, and what’s positive about it, is that you’re able to experience the worst-case scenario without actually having to live it. (Actor Ryan Gosling, who plays Officer “K”) (Warning: The following analysis contains spoilers for both Blade Runner films.)…

by Mike BullJanuary 18, 2018
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Biblical Studies

The Battle of Gog and Magog

The battle of Gog and Magog is found in Ezekiel 38-39. My purpose in this brief essay is to propound an explanation for this passage that I have not encountered in any of my commentaries, but that makes more sense to me than any other. I offer it here in…

by James B. JordanJanuary 16, 2018
resurrection

Deep Hope

I. Varlam Shalamov in Kolyma Tales describes his experience of the Gulag, where he spent more than a dozen of years. In a story titled The Life of Engineer Kipreev Shalamov reflects on the theme of hope in the life of a prisoner: “Hope always shackles the convict. Hope is…

by Bogumil JarmulakJanuary 11, 2018
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Biblical Theology

Abram’s 318 Men

Genesis 14:14 says that Abram mustered his trained men, “born in his house,” to rescue Lot, and gives their number as 318. It is clear that the precise number is provided for some reason, but what is it? S. Gevirtz notes that 318 is the sum of all the prime…

by James B. JordanJanuary 9, 2018
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Biblical Studies

The Flying Scroll

And he said to me, "What do you see?" And I answered, "I see a flying scroll; its length is twenty cubits and its width ten cubits" (Zechariah 5:2). Immediately following his vision of the outpouring of the Spirit upon the restoration community (4:1-14), Zechariah saw a flying scroll. The…

by Peter LeithartJanuary 4, 2018

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Science

The Cosmological Principle

Joseph Silk is Professor of Astronomy at Oxford, and in The Infinite Cosmos , he offers a layman’s summary of what’s happening in cosmology. One of the central principles of modern cosmology is the “cosmological principle,” the theory that the “universe is approximately the same in all directions. In contrast…

October 3, 2007

Baptism in the CRC

The 1959 CRC Psalter Hymnal’s rite for infant baptism includes an abbreviated version of Luther’s great flood prayer, and ends with this thanksgiving: “Almighty God and merciful Father, we thank and praise Thee that Thou hast forgiven us and our children all our sins, through the blood of Thy beloved…

October 3, 2007

David’s wives

My oldest son Woelke pointed out to me that 1-2 Samuel refer several times to David’s two wives - Ahinoam and Abigail (cf. 1 Sam 25:43). They are named - complete with their places of origin - when David goes to live with Achish (1 Sam 27:3), when the Amalekites…

October 1, 2007

David’s wives

My oldest son Woelke pointed out to me that 1-2 Samuel refer several times to David’s two wives - Ahinoam and Abigail (cf. 1 Sam 25:43). They are named - complete with their places of origin - when David goes to live with Achish (1 Sam 27:3), when the Amalekites…

October 1, 2007
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Sermon notes

INTRODUCTION Verse 19 opens a new section of the sermon, which focuses on our attitude toward wealth, but the verse also closes the earlier section on acts of piety. We lay up treasures on earth when we do righteousness to be seen by men; we lay up treasures in heaven…

October 1, 2007

On the ropes?

Responding the Homeland Security advisor Frances Fragos Townsend claim that Al Quaeda is on the ropes, Arnaud de Borchgrave points to the groups impressive cyber-organization. “As former Central Command chief Gen. John Abizaid said, ‘Al Qaeda’s organizing ability in cyberspace is unprecedented.’ Cyberpower has emerged as a complex ether power…

September 30, 2007

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