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Writing

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

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Poetry

Seed-bearing Fruit

Ten-thousand ‘yeses’ and a single ‘no.’ From bough it dangles, beauty to the eyes, For belly, food, a fruit to make one wise. Too soon, they eat; they know; the leaves they sew, But, oh! the Love who asks, “Where did you go?” Confessions flow from under leaf’s disguise; A…

by Marc HaysAugust 16, 2023
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Augustine

Eternal Life Chiasm in John's Gospel

In his masterful work, De Doctrina Christiana , Augustine of Hippo writes: I would have learned men to know that the authors of our Scriptures use all those forms of expression which grammarians call by the Greek name tropes, and use them more freely and in greater variety than people…

by Doug PonderAugust 15, 2023
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Ruth

Lot, Ruth, and the Work of New Creation

“In accordance with the creation pattern, God sovereignly took hold of Adam and put him to sleep. Then God divided Adam by removing flesh and bone from his side, and restructured humanity into male and female. When Adam awoke, God distributed the woman to him. Adam gazed upon her and…

by Josh JensenAugust 8, 2023
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Culture

The Barbie Movie

Greta Gerwig’s new film, Barbie, has been criticized, probably rightly, for having too many ideas and layers to properly bring in any for a landing. Gerwig herself thought the script was so “ wild and anarchic ” that she was surprised WB agreed to make it. Many see it as…

by Robin HarrisAugust 1, 2023
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Matthew

Why Does John the Baptizer Look Like a Camel?

“Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey” (Matt. 3:4). Why is John the Baptizer clothed with camel’s hair? Why does he want to look like a camel? Or at least: what does he expect…

by Jeff MeyersJuly 26, 2023
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Literature

Stinking, Rotten Ministers of the Gospel

In the second greatest story ever told, The Brothers Karamazov , Fyodor Dostoyevsky tells the story of a family plagued by the lasting legacy of sin’s destructive power and the all-surpassing truth that God is Light and in Him is no darkness. The young protagonist, Alyosha, is a monk committed…

by Garrett SoucyJuly 18, 2023

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Literature

Anxiety of Envy

Alexander Nazaryan writes with discomfiting honesty about how his own failure at novel-writing and envy of published novelists has affected his book reviewing: “I had started reviewing books, a dangerous occupation for an aspiring novelist, sort of like inviting an arsonist to join the fire department. As my own rejection…

March 4, 2013

Vine and fig tree

The vine and fig tree are symbols of Israel’s safety from enemies during the days of Solomon (1 Kings 4). The fact that each Israelite has his own orchard and vineyard is a sign of national prosperity and widespread distribution of wealth, as well as a sign that there are…

March 4, 2013

Sermon notes, Isaiah 51

INTRODUCTION Yahweh promises to comfort Zion, but when Yahweh brings comfort He doesn’t just sooth pain. He changes Zion’s condition (Isaiah 51:3, 12, 19). He comforts by bringing His righteousness, which is His salvation. THE TEXT “Listen to Me, you who follow after righteousness, you who seek the Lord: Look…

March 4, 2013

Peter and Paul

The first half of Acts belongs to Peter. His story climaxes in Acts 10-12, where he presides over the “Gentile Pentecost” that brings Cornelius and his household into the kingdom, is arrested and miraculously released and then departs. He reappears briefly, but for the most part his story in Acts…

March 4, 2013

Eucharistic meditation

Numbers 11:23: Yahweh said to Moses, Is Yahweh’s hand short? Now you shall see whether My word will come true for you or not. Isaiah 50 alludes several times to the exodus. It also alludes several times to episodes during Israel’s wilderness period. “Is my hand too short?” Yahweh asks…

March 3, 2013

Eucharistic meditation

Isaiah 50:4-5: Master Yahweh has given me the tongue of disciples, that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. Master Yahweh has opened my ear, and I was not disobedient nor did I turn back. Because of her idolatries, Judah has become disabled. She cannot…

March 3, 2013

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