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

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Biblical Horizons

The Sin of Ham and the Curse of Canaan, Part 1

The history of the sin of Ham and the curse of Canaan comes in the middle of the Generations of Noah, a section of Genesis that begins at Genesis 6:9 and extends to the closing notice, Genesis 11:9. To understand the story better, it is necessary to get in mind…

by James B. JordanJune 3, 1997
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Eucharist

You and Your Son and Daughter: Christ’s Communion with Young Children

This paper was written to persuade people who were members of the Presbyterian Church in America. It should be accessible to anyone who believes in baptizing infants–especially to those who consider themselves a part of the Reformation Tradition. References to “our Confession” or “our standards” invoke the Westmeinster Confession of…

by Mark HorneJune 3, 1997
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Baptism

The Westminster Standards & Sacramental Efficacy

Version 1.2 I write this brief essay in order to address a problem I have encountered. I keep reading explanations of doctrine of the sacraments fundamentally empty of the content which was once held by virtually all Reformed confessions and formulations. Furthermore, I read explanations and commentaries on the Westminster…

by Mark HorneJune 3, 1997
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Biblical Chronology

John Sailhamer Weighs In, Part 2

We continue our analysis of John Sailhamer’s book *Genesis Unbound: A Provocative New Look at the Creation Account* (Multnomah Books, 1996), which argues that Genesis 1:2ff. is not about the creation of the whole world, but about the preparation of the Land of Eden, which is also the Promised Land.…

by James B. JordanMay 31, 1997
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Matthew

Toward a Chiastic Understanding of the Gospel According to Matthew, Part 2

III. Death of God’s Firstborn in the real Egypt: This huge chiasm has as its center the betrayal of Peter, as the leader of the disciples himself rejects Jesus. Peter holds an oficial position as high priest among the disciples of the incarnate Lord. His rejection of Jesus is the…

by James B. JordanMay 31, 1997
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Eucharist

A Response to Rev. Bacon’s Argument that Manna was not a Sacrament

I wrote a response to Rev. Richard Bacon’s tract, What Mean Ye by This Service , a copy of which I borrowed from the library at Covenant Theological Seminary. However, I recently discovered that a new appendix was added to the version available on the Blue Banner’s web page. This…

by Mark HorneMay 29, 1997

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Formless and Empty

Based on 1 Kings 3:1-3, Solomon is often criticized by commentators for a) worshiping at high places and b) failing to get the temple, palace, and city wall completed in a timely fashion. I have defended Solomon’s worship at the high places on a couple of grounds: High places are…

September 2, 2004

Translation, 1 Kings 4-5

Another wooden, overly literal translation. And it was the King Shlomoh [was] king over all Yisrael Now these the captains which [were] to him: Azaryahu, son of Zadoq the priest Eliychoref and Achiyah, sons of Shiysha, scribes. Yehoshaphat son of Achiylud the chronicler (“keeper of memories”) And Benayahu the son…

September 2, 2004

Sermon Outline, Sept 5

Glory Beyond the Kings of the Earth, 1 Kings 4-5 INTRODUCTION In 1 Kings 3, Solomon asked for and was given wisdom, and Yahweh also promised to give him glory and riches and a long life. In the following chapters, we see these promises fulfilled. Solomon demonstrates his wisdom by…

September 2, 2004

Begotten, Not Made

Barth argues in CD 1/1 that the generation of the Son is not only antecedent to and the eternal ground of the act of creation, but that it is a superior act of the Father. The Son’s generation points to “the bringing forth of God from God,” which is greater…

August 30, 2004
Theology

Just War

Oliver O’Donovan’s Just War Revisited (reviewed in the August 13 TLS ) presents just war as “a means of delivering judgment when all other means of judging a dispute have failed. Since war arises in the absence of an adequate formal authority to resolve a dispute, armed conflict can be…

August 30, 2004

My Life

That is, Bill Clinton’s My Life , which David Frum reviews in the Sept issue of Commentary . Frum offers the standard (and entirely correct) conservative complaints against Clinton, but commends his understated performance as ex-President. Frum ends on this remarkably hopeful note (especially coming from someone like Frum): “In…

August 30, 2004

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