Theopolis Logo

Writing

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

See all
screen-shot-2023-04-04-at-5-01-54-pm
Biblical Chronology

A Summary of Old Testament Chronology

This newsletter summarizes everything that has been written and argued in Biblical Chronology to date. The Bible is filled with chronological information. Some would dismiss the idea that this chronological information can and should be systematized. We have to say, however, that if the scattered information about the tri-unity of…

by James B. JordanAugust 24, 1992
thomas-jarrand-k9gs65i36aq-unsplash
Leviticus

The Lamb of God, (Part 1)

At the Biblical Horizons Conference on Worship and Sacrifice , held 17-21 August, 1992, we explored the meaning of the five major sacrifices in considerable depth. 1 During the last, the centrality of the male lamb (the ram) in the sacrificial system was briefly discussed. I want in this essay…

by James B. JordanJuly 24, 1992
screen-shot-2022-05-12-at-12-07-23-pm
Biblical Chronology

Chronologies and Kings, Part 13: The End of the Kingdom of Judah

As we saw last time, Uzziah became king of Judah in the 27th year of Jeroboam II, the year A.M. 3204. He reigned for 52 years. He was basically a good and devout king, but toward the end of his life he recapitulated the fall of Adam by trying to…

by James B. JordanJuly 24, 1992
whichbooksbelongintheot
Biblical Chronology

Chronologies and Kings, Part 12: Wars and Rumors of Wars

We have now arrived at the reign of Jeroboam II. When Jeroboam II came to the throne of Northern Israel, Amaziah was reigning in Judah. After the death of Amaziah, there was an interregnum of eleven years, during which Judah was governed by Israel. During those years, the son of…

by James B. JordanJune 24, 1992
debby-hudson-qa74yh6-xlc-unsplash
Biblical Horizons

A Letter on Paedocommunion

Several years ago I wrote an essay, “Theses on Paedocommunion,” in which I argued that allowing all baptized and non-excommunicated persons to the table of the Lord was Biblical and desirable. (A copy of this essay is available for a donation from Biblical Horizons .) During the past several years…

by James B. JordanJune 24, 1992
david-weber-fwuo_zluhnw-unsplash
Culture

Liturgy and the Counter-Cultural Church

The question of whether the Church stands “against” culture, is “of” or “above” culture, or seeks to “transform” culture cannot be answered in abstraction from a particular cultural context. To be sure, in many ways the Church’s message and relation to the world cannot change; the Church must, in season…

by Peter LeithartJune 17, 1992

Showing page 289 of 309

See all

Showing page 35 of 43

See all

Martyrdom and law

Robert Cover (in an essay contained in On Violence: A Reader )) suggests that the very extremity of martyrdom makes it a “proper starting place for understanding the nature of legal interpretation.” For the martyr, “if there is to be a continuing life, it will not be on the term’s…

March 29, 2013

Division is Murder

Ephraim Radner’s dense studies are always sobering, and his recent A Brutal Unity: The Spiritual Politics of the Christian Church is no exception. In a chapter chillingly titled “Division is Murder,” he exposes the complicity of Christians in political violence. Our ecclesial divisions may not cause violence, but Christian division…

March 29, 2013

They Call This Friday Good

My meditation for Good Friday at the First Things site this morning.

March 29, 2013

Rain and snow, seed and bread

Isaiah 55:7-13 is lovely poetry. It’s also a theologically rich passage. It starts with an exhortation to the wicked to abandon his own ways and thoughts, his conduct, goals, and plans (v. 7). If he does so, he can find pardon. Penitence is the only path to pardon. “Thoughts” and…

March 28, 2013

Water to wine

Isaiah 55:1 is an invitation to a food market, opened in the restored Zion. Like Lady Wisdom of Proverbs, she offers food and drink. The verse is chiastically organized: A. come to waters and drink B. without silver C. come, buy D. eat C’. come, buy B’. without silver or…

March 28, 2013

Makeover

Diseased and wounded Zion (Isaiah 1:5-6) finally the makeover she has wanted (Isaiah 54:11-12). She is a bride, adorned with jewels. She is a city whose foundations, gates, and border fences sparkle. She is dressed as a priest, gem stones on her breastplate. She is adorned like the firmament, a…

March 28, 2013

Showing page 764 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.