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

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Romans

Notes on Scary Stuff in Romans 9

What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on…

by Mark HorneFebruary 5, 2015
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American Politics

Covenants of Exclusion

A hundred years ago, William Warley signed a contract to buy a house in Louisville, Kentucky from Charles Buchanan, a white man. Before closing the sale, Warley, who was black, learned that the lot was subject to a city ordinance barring blacks from occupying the premises if most of the…

by Brendan O'DonnellFebruary 3, 2015
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Literature

The Bard and the Book

I concluded the first essay on this topic by saying that I would introduce three books about Shakespeare and the Bible, but I decided to introduce four instead. The three books become four are: Naseeb Shaheen, Biblical References in Shakespeare’s Plays (London: Associated University Presses, 1999) ; Hannibal Hamlin, The…

by Ralph Allan SmithJanuary 29, 2015
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Augustine

Augustine on Pagan Virtue

My children attend a classical Christian school, situated in the independent “free church” evangelical tradition. Over the past few years they have been growing in their acquaintance with the world of Homer, Plato, Virgil, and Livy. They enjoy it, and I envy it. The school is a great school. My…

by Gerald HiestandJanuary 27, 2015
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Atonement

The Prodigal and the Cross

The Prodigal Son parable (Luke 15) has been a favorite of liberal theologians for a couple of centuries. It seems to be a parable designed for liberal sensibilities: An indulgent, accepting Father; forgiveness extended without a cross; a surly older brother who might represent the "conservative" face of religion who…

by Peter LeithartJanuary 22, 2015
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Ascension

Underground Man, Ascended Man

“I want now to tell you, gentlemen, whether you care to hear it or not, why I could not even become an insect. I tell you solemnly, that I have many times tried to become an insect. But I was not equal even to that. I swear, gentlemen, that to…

by Richard BledsoeJanuary 20, 2015

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Theology

Exhortation, August 22

Welcome back to the students. As you are starting a new year of school, you have been and will be talked at, exhorted, and challenged many times. And this is going to be one of those times. To the NSA students, I urge you to remember what was said to…

August 22, 2004

Eucharistic Meditation, August 22

1 Kings 2:7 Most of chapter 2 is concerned with ?establishing?ESolomon?s kingdom, and this can only be done by eliminating the enemies of the kingdom. Solomon must use the sword if he?s going to promote the peace and welfare of his kingdom, and he must use it wisely and firmly.…

August 22, 2004

Conditionality and Unconditionality in the Davidic Covenant

Well, that’s quite a long title for a short post. In any case: The apparent problem is this. 2 Sam 7 seems to promise an eternal kingdom to David, unconditionally. To be sure, David’s son (and later sons) will suffer discipline when they sin, but Yahweh promises never to remove…

August 21, 2004
Theology

Wedding Sermon, August 20

You know what the Lord requires of you in your marriage. You heard Genesis 2 and Ephesians 5 just moments ago, and you have often heard them often before. You have listened repeatedly as the biblical teaching on marriage has been explained at length, and you have observed Christian families…

August 20, 2004

Maacah

The name Maacah occurs several times in Scripture, most frequently in connection with Absalom. Maacah is David’s wife, the mother of Absalom (2 Sam 3:3), and Maacah is also the DAUGHTER of Absalom who is also the wife of Rehoboam (2 Chron 11:20-22) and mother of Abijah and Asa, successors…

August 20, 2004

Joab’s Wilderness House

Why is the location of Joab?s house mentioned (1 Ki 2:34)? The wilderness is the place of Israel?s 40-year sojourn, prior to the entry into and conquest of the land of Israel. Thus, the reference to the wilderness connects with the Joshua typology that is evident elsewhere in the chapter…

August 20, 2004

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