Theopolis Logo

Writing

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

See all
diego-gonzalez-i8ldurtfao-unsplash
Architecture

Arts and Play, Part 3

Let us now switch gears and move to a discussion of art, literature, architecture, and music. In English, we speak of "playing" games and also of "playing" musical instruments. There is a connection between the two, in that both involve some degree of pleasure and recreation. At the same time,…

by James B. JordanJanuary 23, 1992
venice-la-distruzione-del-tempio-di-gerusalemme-francesco-hayez-gallerie-accademia-venice
Daniel

The Abomination of Desolation, Part 4b: Abominable and Detestable

Leviticus 20:22-26 22. And you shall guard all My decrees and all My laws and do them, so that the land will not vomit you out, where I am bringing you thither to live in it. 23. And you shall not walk in the decrees of the nation that I…

by James B. JordanDecember 23, 1991
v4mkpbd70x7bkvc7mqvu
American Politics

The Original Low-Down Filthy Male Chauvinist Pig-Dog

For a year or so we have been reading about date rape. It amazes me how many "conservative" commentators have taken the attitude that "boys will be boys," and that it is somehow the girl’s fault if she lets the boy go too far. I have to agree that we…

by James B. JordanDecember 23, 1991
screen-shot-2023-04-04-at-5-01-54-pm
Biblical Chronology

Chronologies and Kings, Part 6: The Formation of the Remnant

According to 1 Kings 16:29, Ahab came to the throne of Israel in the 38th year of Asa of Judah, which was the year A.M. 3087. He reigned 22 years, dying in the year 3108. Ahab married a princess of Tyre named Jezebel (Jeze-baal). Under Jezebel’s influence, Ahab turned away…

by James B. JordanDecember 23, 1991
venice-la-distruzione-del-tempio-di-gerusalemme-francesco-hayez-gallerie-accademia-venice
Luke

The Abomination of Desolation: Part 4, Abominable and Detestable

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Most Christians today, when they hear the phrase "abomination of desolation," think of some political figure who is to arrive on the scene some time in the future, and who will oppress God’s people. More careful exegetes have seen that the prophecies concerning "abomination…

by James B. JordanNovember 22, 1991
skyler-gerald-akljfvj5ym4-unsplash
Deuteronomy

Chronologies and Kings, Part 5: Testimonies of Two Witnesses

Deuteronomy 17:6 tells us that a matter is to be regarded as established if it is testified by two or three witnesses. One of the most important characteristics of Biblical chronology is that it is very often supported by more than one witness. A case in point is the fact…

by James B. JordanNovember 22, 1991

Showing page 293 of 309

See all
See all

Gnats and camels

Duncan Derrett again: Jesus condemns the Pharisees and scribes as “blind men,” and their blindness is a myopia that makes it impossible for them to distinguish between gnats and camels. Both are prohibited foods, but “their throats are wide, their bellies capacious for the unclean.” For all their their obsession…

May 2, 2009

Unclean vessels

Duncan Derrett points to the OT background to Jesus’ saying about unclean vessels. According to the law, a vessel was rendered unclean in the interior when an animal dropped into the vessel. Some vessels could be scrubbed clean, others had to be broken (Leviticus 11). A vessel became clean when…

May 2, 2009

Apostasy

For a number of years, I’ve been using the analogy of marriage to explain apostasy. Turns out I wasn’t the first. Jeremiah does too. Jeremiah uses some variation of the root shub (“turn, return, turn away”) nearly 50 times in his prophecy. One of the specific words is meshubah, translated…

May 1, 2009

Good times

Along with a friend, my son, Jordan, has started an online comic strip. Check it out here every Tuesday and Thursday: http://www.goodtimescomic.blogspot.com/

May 1, 2009

Proverbs 26:17-19

PROVERBS 26:17 Verse 17 returns to the use of dog imagery. We recall that dogs are scavengers in the Bible, feeding on death. Dogs eat flesh and lap up blood. They are greedy, constantly hungry for more (Isaiah 56:11). They tear things to pieces (Matthew 7:6). In short, they are…

May 1, 2009

Blood and Soil again

Mike Bull from Australia sends along some comments on my earlier posts about “blood and soil.” The rest of this post is from Mike: “Jesus doesn’t just overcome and send the powers packing. But also, he doesn’t just pacify and reconcile them. He tears them in two, like two goats.…

May 1, 2009

Showing page 1386 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.