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

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Hermeneutics

The Complexity of Biblical Allusion

There is no question about the fact that the book of Deuteronomy is full of literary allusion. But there is a serious problem, even a paradox, of understanding how that allusion works. To begin with, if we assume that Deuteronomy was written by Moses — with some editorial emendations added…

by Ralph Allan SmithJanuary 23, 2018
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Culture

The Artificial Resurrection

Genesis and Genetics in Blade Runner 2049 The power of science fiction, and what’s positive about it, is that you’re able to experience the worst-case scenario without actually having to live it. (Actor Ryan Gosling, who plays Officer “K”) (Warning: The following analysis contains spoilers for both Blade Runner films.)…

by Mike BullJanuary 18, 2018
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Biblical Studies

The Battle of Gog and Magog

The battle of Gog and Magog is found in Ezekiel 38-39. My purpose in this brief essay is to propound an explanation for this passage that I have not encountered in any of my commentaries, but that makes more sense to me than any other. I offer it here in…

by James B. JordanJanuary 16, 2018
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Deep Hope

I. Varlam Shalamov in Kolyma Tales describes his experience of the Gulag, where he spent more than a dozen of years. In a story titled The Life of Engineer Kipreev Shalamov reflects on the theme of hope in the life of a prisoner: “Hope always shackles the convict. Hope is…

by Bogumil JarmulakJanuary 11, 2018
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Biblical Theology

Abram’s 318 Men

Genesis 14:14 says that Abram mustered his trained men, “born in his house,” to rescue Lot, and gives their number as 318. It is clear that the precise number is provided for some reason, but what is it? S. Gevirtz notes that 318 is the sum of all the prime…

by James B. JordanJanuary 9, 2018
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Biblical Studies

The Flying Scroll

And he said to me, "What do you see?" And I answered, "I see a flying scroll; its length is twenty cubits and its width ten cubits" (Zechariah 5:2). Immediately following his vision of the outpouring of the Spirit upon the restoration community (4:1-14), Zechariah saw a flying scroll. The…

by Peter LeithartJanuary 4, 2018

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Not Spain

Putin had a shrewd comment about the outcome of the election: “If Bush wins, then I can only feel joy that the American people did not allow itself to be intimidated, and made the most sensible decision.” What message would have been sent if the US had pulled a Spain…

November 4, 2004

Translation, 1 Kings 10

Now the queen of Sheba heard the hearing of Shlomoh to the name of Yahweh And she entered to test him in riddles. And she entered Jerusalem with a retinue of very great glory Camels carrying Balsam-oil And gold, a very great amount And stone rare And she entered to…

November 3, 2004

Sermon Outline, November 7

INTRODUCTION 1 Kings 10 continues to show the ambiguous character of Solomon?s reign. On the one hand, Solomon attracts the notice of Gentile rulers who seek to learn wisdom. On the other hand, Solomon continues to violate the laws of kingship by multiplying gold and guns. Corruption is spreading in…

November 3, 2004

Trinity and Story

The proposition: We tell stories only because God is Triune. The argument: 1) A story depends on an initial breach. There must be something to separate from, and something separating. There must be some move that takes hero from the father?s house and into his own adventures. 2) Otherwise, what…

November 2, 2004
Philosophy

Hegel’s Phenomenology

Merold Westphal is a remarkable philosopher. Extremely well-informed and careful, he is also remarkably lucid, even when he writes about philosophers that, to put it delicately, are far less so. In his dauntingly titled 1979 History and Truth in Hegel?s Phenomenology , a commentary on Hegel?s Phenomenology of the Spirit…

November 2, 2004
Philosophy

Hegel’s Phenomenology

Merold Westphal is a remarkable philosopher. Extremely well-informed and careful, he is also remarkably lucid, even when he writes about philosophers that, to put it delicately, are far less so. In his dauntingly titled 1979 History and Truth in Hegel?s Phenomenology , a commentary on Hegel?s Phenomenology of the Spirit…

November 2, 2004

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