Theopolis Logo

Writing

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

See all
harry-miller-hz9snd3sffw-unsplash-2
Christendom

The Fundamentals of the Faith

Reflecting on the centennial of the Fundamentalist-Modernist Controversy, Theopolis contributor Tim Nichols asked Dr. Leithart and me what the five fundamentals of the faith were today . His thoughts went something like this: Back in the early 20th century, in response to a ruinous drift away from the historic Christian…

by Jackson WatersNovember 26, 2025
nils-kaehf0ezme8-unsplash
Matthew

Testimonium Negativum: Josephus, Matthew’s Gospel, and New Evidence for the Coming Christ

1. Introduction In this article, I delve into some parallels found in the scholarly analysis of two important literary works: the Testimonium Flavianum by Josephus ( Antiquities 18.63–64) and the Olivet Discourse in the gospel of Matthew (Matthew 24–25). These texts have been at the center of countless academic discussions,…

by Jonathan SedlakNovember 18, 2025
screenshot-2025-11-11-at-10-52-45-am
Genesis

Trauma and Glory: Overcoming Suffering with Joseph

Over the last twenty years, our American culture has created a culture of obsession over trauma. This could be a result of publications such as The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, which explores the lasting effect on health that traumatic experiences can have. Or it could…

by Lindsey TollefsonNovember 11, 2025
elena-helade-v2ezqdz_i18-unsplash
Uncategorized

Lips like a Thread of Crimson: Midrash on a Theme from the Song of Solomon

The Beloved celebrates the beauty of his Shulamite’s lips, describing them as “a thread of crimson” upon a mouth that is altogether lovely (Song 4:3). It were easy perhaps to pass by this all too quickly, passing it off, if we attend to it at all, as a kind of…

by Mark BriansNovember 4, 2025
302129rgsdl
Culture

The Rule of the Incarnate

This article originally appeared at American Reformer on October 29, 2025. Reproduced with permission. Why the West Was Never Meant to Be Governed by Law Alone Back in the early nineties, I was in the candidate process for Undergraduate Pilot Training with the Texas Air National Guard, hoping to fly…

by Ronald DodsonOctober 31, 2025
emmanuel-phaeton-1bwmfmvybi8-unsplash
Deuteronomy

A Father’s Liturgical Logic: The Pastoral Aim of the Davidic Revolution

In his book From Silence to Song: The Davidic Liturgical Revolution , Peter Leithart shows that David, the author of so many Psalms and the musician who trained choirs, instituted a musical and liturgical revolution of how the people of Israel worshipped. The liturgical revolution in turn was designed to…

by Ralph Allan SmithOctober 29, 2025
See all

Showing page 36 of 43

See all
History

Just War

John Courtney Murray was a defender of the just war tradition, but recognized that it was more honored in breach than observance. In a 1959 article, he wrote: “The tendency to query the uses of the Catholic doctrine on war initially rises from the fact that it has for so…

February 19, 2009

Deliverdict

John Barach writes: “I’ve been working on Psalm 5 and happened to read Van Gemeren’s treatment of it in the Expositor’s Bible Commentary today. In connection with verse 10 (‘Declare them guilty’), Van Gemeren writes: “’ . . . the psalmist prays for their demise. The declaration of their ‘guilt’…

February 18, 2009
Theology

Engaging with Barth

I’ve learned that Engaging with Barth: Contemporary Evangelical Critiques , a thoughtful evangelical critique of Barth, is now available inNorth America, published by T&T Clark. More information about the UK edition is available at the book’s website, www.engagingwithbarth.com .

February 18, 2009

Weak elements

Paul expresses amazement that the Galatians could return to the “weak and poor elements” after being liberated by Christ (Galatians 4:9). But were the elements always so weak and beggarly? It seems not. They were powerful enough to enslave (4:3). To be sure, they enslaved children, but that does take…

February 17, 2009

Paul and Moses

Galatians 3-4 is constructed with a fairly neat chiasm: A. Abraham, Spirit, faith, 3:1-14 B. The Law is not mediator of one, 3:15-22 C. We were under tutors, 3:23-26 D. Baptism, 3:27-29 C’. Under stoicheia, 4:1-11 B’. Personal appeal, 4:12-20 A’. Abraham’s two sons, one by the Spirit, 4:21-31 The…

February 17, 2009

Christ-shaped ministry

Paul begs the Galatians to become as he is (Galatians 4:12). In context, this means, “Give up circumcision, the Jewish food laws, observance of days, months and seasons.” Why should they? The basis for Paul’s exhortation is the fact that he has become as they are: “Become as I, because…

February 17, 2009

Showing page 1415 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.