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Biblical Horizons

The Dominion Trap

In Genesis One, God told Adam and Eve to "be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens, and over every living thing that moves on the earth" (Gen. 1:28). In Christian worldview…

by James B. JordanJuly 2, 1990
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Biblical Studies

Building the Church

"And I also way to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it" (Matthew 16:18). Matthew 16:13ff. has historically been one of the most oft-cited passages of Scripture. Throughout the Middle Ages, it was used…

by Peter LeithartJune 19, 1990
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Matthew

Ephraim in Redemptive History

One of the important themes of the synoptic gospels is Jesus’ rejection of Israel and the transfer of God’s favor to the New Israel, the Church. A clear statement of this theme is found in the parable of the vineyard owner in Matthew 21:33-46. Jesus explained the meaning of the…

by Peter LeithartJune 19, 1990
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Biblical Horizons

Advice From a Sojourner, Part 7

11. There is a type of person [a generation] who curses his father, And does not bless his mother. 12. There is a type who is pure in his own eyes, Yet not washed from his filthiness [manure]. 13. There is a type — oh how lofty are his eyes!…

by James B. JordanJune 2, 1990
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Leviticus

A Male Without Defect

Under the Levitical law, whole-burnt offerings from the herd and flock had to be male. No such specification is made with respect to birds (cf. Lev. 5:7-10). Why did the Lord demand that only males be offered as whole-burnt offerings? The easy answer is that the whole-burnt offering typified Christ,…

by Peter LeithartMay 19, 1990
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Matthew

He Shall Be Called A Nazarene

Matthew 2:13-23 has a tripartite structure, reporting briefly three events of the early years of Jesus’ life. Matthew ends his narrative of each event with a "fulfillment formula." Jesus’ flight to Egypt and His Exodus back into Israel was a fulfillment of Hosea’s words, "Out of Egypt I call my…

by Peter LeithartMay 19, 1990

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American Religion

The Paradox of the Group

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…

August 19, 2015

What Is Necessary for Salvation

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.…

August 19, 2015

Jerusalem and the Martyrs

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,…

August 18, 2015

In the Furnace

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…

August 18, 2015

Go Set A Watchman

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…

August 18, 2015

Trump Appeal

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…

August 18, 2015

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