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

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Galatians

Getting the Galatian Heresy Right

Misunderstanding “Galatianism” has caused several problems in the Reformed church. Because circumcision is at issue in the Galatian epistle, some have fallen into thinking that ritual per se, rather than anything uniquely Mosaic or Jewish, is the object of Paul’s critique. Likewise, his polemic against “works of the law” is…

by Rich LuskJune 6, 2003
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Romans

Jewish Rejection of the Gospel

Many texts in the NT become more perspicuous if we keep in mind the possibility — and indeed ubiquity — of Gentile God-fearers in the Old Covenant. After the special covenant with Israel is set up, Gentiles are not altogether excluded from the hope of salvation. Israel’s special status in…

by Rich LuskJune 6, 2003
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Ephesians

An X-File

I was once trying to get a sermon out of Ephesians 1.12-14 and it seemed obvious that I should look for two parallel statements both ending with the phrase, “to the praise of his glory.” Paul here begins talking about two groups of people (“you” and “we”), and he later…

by Mark HorneJune 5, 2003
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New Perspective on Paul

The PCA and the New Perspective on Paul

WHY A DENOMINATION WITH SOUTHERN PRESBYTERIAN ROOTS SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE “NEW PERSPECTIVE ON PAUL” In my denomination, the PCA, we are continually haunted by the sins of our racist Southern past. It has become an annual rite at General Assembly for the issue to be addressed one way or…

by Rich LuskJune 5, 2003
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Justification

The Centrality of Justification

Recent debates over whether or not, “justification is central” to Paul’s theology have reminded me of a sermon I once heard by a Presbyterian seminary student. This African American student challenged his audience on the sin of racism and the ways it might manifest itself among us. Like any good…

by Mark HorneJune 5, 2003
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Ecclesiology

Charles Hodge’s Deficient Idea of the Church

In Charles Hodge’s 1853 article, “Idea of the Church,” his stated aim is to analyze the idea of the Church proposed in the Apostles’ Creed, in which, “the Church is declared to be “the Communion of the Saints.” He writes: The conception of the Church as the communion of saints…

by Mark HorneJune 5, 2003

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Restoration of the Galatians

Grace Langness, a graduate student at New St. Andrews, analyzes the structure and theology of Galatians 5-6 at the Trinity House site.

March 25, 2013

Politics of childhood

Milbank again, from the 2005 article in Religion and Literature , arguing for the importance of play not just to sanity but to political critique: “the sane adult must continue to play—to keep the world of her work in perspective, she must continue to imagine other realities. To sustain, for…

March 25, 2013

Trinitarian Childhood

In a 2005 article in Religion and Literature, Milbank explores the importance of fantasy literature as part of an effort to re-enchant the world and recover a genuine vision of childhood. Trinitarian insights are at the heart of the “subversion of traditional notions of catechesis” that makes its appeal to…

March 25, 2013

Abundant Pardon, Isaiah 55

INTRODUCTION Isaiah 55 closes a section of Isaiah that began with chapter 40. Yahweh promised forgiveness (40:2), and now He has brought it (55:6-7). He promised return form exile (40:3-5), and it’s happened (55:12-13). He promised that His word would stand (40:8), and it has (55:10-11). THE TEXT “Ho! Everyone…

March 25, 2013

Baptismal meditation

Isaiah 53:8, 1: As for his generation, who considered that He was cut off out of the land of the living . . . . He will see His seed, He will prolong His days. Reproduction by itself doesn’t create a Christian heritage. Something else has to happen, and Isaiah…

March 24, 2013

Wasted Month

March is the maddest month, breeding Gators from the South regional, mixing Golden eagles and Buckeyes, stirring Bulldogs to close wins. Harvard surprised us, coming over New Mexico In a shower of threes. I watch, much of the night, and wager on Duke.

March 24, 2013

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