Explore our collection of theological essays, biblical studies, and reflections on faith and culture.
Cornelius Van Til offered a revolutionary exposition of the Christian worldview through the lens of Reformed theology. He argued and, I believe demonstrated, that Biblical metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics mutually presuppose and include one another. Every ethical statement of the Bible — commands about righteousness — presuppose the existence and…
In the introductory portion of Deuteronomy, Moses’ last sermons to the people of Israel — people that he regarded as his own beloved children — there is a statement that may seem paradoxical to a modern reader. It invites questions and maybe even creates problems in our understanding. Here are…
In his discussion of the biblical type scene, Robert Alter speaks of the “patterns of repetition, symmetry, [and] contrast” which characterize the narratives of Scripture, patterns that give pleasure to the reader while also building up a web of meaningful connections between texts. 1 But if readers are to notice…
In 1 Timothy 2, Paul writes: “I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression” (1 Timothy 2:12-14). This…
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5 When the above verse is read during a Lord’s Day service, no doubt, every extrovert in the room thinks to himself, “Well, that rules out me.” After all, the meek folks in the room are the ones you…
The flames of the altar tell a mysterious story beyond mere atonement. The altar was a place of union, glory, worship, love and forgiveness, laughter and tears, renewal and hope. The altar is where Israel would feast with God, sacrifice to God, worship God, confess, and receive forgiveness from God.…
Showing page 43 of 309
Showing page 7 of 43
Edward Vacek ( Spirituality and Moral Theology: Essays from a Pastoral Perspective , 102) argues that gratitude depends on right self-love: “Gratitude is . . . difficult where there is little sense of self. That may occur in cultures that are highly communal and highly structured. Even in our individualist…
Israel’s priests were to offer ascension offerings ( ‘olah ) continuously ( tamid ) before Yahweh. By performing these offerings, the priests were calling on God to remember His promises and act accordingly. Continuous ascension was a continuous memorial. Psalm 74 ends with this: “Forget not the clamor of your…
In his contribution to Spirituality and Moral Theology: Essays from a Pastoral Perspective (84) , Edward Vacek discusses the “three forms of love” that are “intermingled” in God. His summary statement is a helpful riposte to Nygren: “As an ‘agapist,’ God creates generously and without the good of getting some…
Bless the Lord, O my soul. And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits. Psalm 103 rushes on to enumerate some of those benefits: God pardons our sins. He heals our diseases. He buys us back…
As Moses gives his final instructions to Israel, he reminds them that he will not lead them into the land (Deuteronomy 31:1-3). Instead: a. Yahweh your God will cross ahead of you b. He will destroy those nations before you b’. and you shall dispossess them a’. Joshua is the…
Friedman ( The Next 100 Years: A Forecast for the 21st Century , 39-40) says that “War is central to the American experience . . . . It is built into American culture and deeply rooted in American geopolitics.” This is no unsupported screed. He points out that “The United…
Showing page 882 of 2212
Your weekly digest for all things Theopolis.
