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Writing

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

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Biblical Studies

The Virgin Conception of Christ: A Redemptive-Historical Interpretation

Why was Jesus Christ conceived in a virgin? The great Augustine, who never shrank from seeking to answer such questions, provided an explanation in his treatise On the Trinity (13.18.23). Though it was, Augustine believed, possible in marriage to "make a right use of the carnal concupiscence which is in…

by Peter LeithartJanuary 13, 1990
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Biblical Studies

The Embarrassment of Biblical Chronology

And Arpachshad lived thirty-five years, and became the father of Shelah . . . And Shelah lived thirty years, and became the father of Eber . . . and Eber lived thirty-four years and became the father of Peleg . . . and Peleg lived thirty years, and became the…

by James B. JordanDecember 26, 1989
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Biblical Studies

Advice From a Sojourner, Part 3

Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words Lest He reprove you, and you be proved a liar. Proverbs 30:5-6 We come now to Proverbs 30:5-6. The Sojourner (Agur) has already told us that he…

by James B. JordanNovember 26, 1989
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Biblical Studies

Prey in My House

Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, `How have we robbed Thee?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you! Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be…

by Peter LeithartNovember 13, 1989
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Biblical Horizons

Thoughts From Nadia Boulanger

Nadia Boulanger (1887-1979) was one of the most remarkable women of the 20th century. A devout Christian, she was the master teacher of composition at the American Conservatory in Fontainebleau, France. She taught music and composition to two generations of students, and is regarded as one of the most influential…

by James B. JordanOctober 26, 1989
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American Politics

The Tragedy of the Reagan Years

When Ronald Reagan was elected to office in 1980, Christians were hopeful that there would be a real change in our national affairs. Reagan was known to be strongly anti-abortion — he even wrote a book against it. He was a fiscal conservative. He believed in Biblical morality. He was…

by James B. JordanOctober 26, 1989
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Synoptic dating

Austin Farrer said, “The datings of all these books are like a line of tipsy revellers walking home arm in arm . . . The whole series can lurch five years this way or that without colliding with a solid obstacle.”

June 2, 2008

Domesticating Jesus

The people of Nazareth find Jesus too familiar to take seriously. How can this son-of-a-carpenter make these kinds of demands on us? It’s a perennial temptation. The more familiar Jesus becomes, the more we’re apt to blunt the force of His radical demands: The Jesus I know wouldn’t ask me…

June 1, 2008

Jesus is Israel

Jesus’ parables seem to apply neatly to His own ministry. They also seem to apply neatly to the history of Israel. Which is it? No need to choose, of course. It’s fundamental to Matthew’s gospel story that Jesus is the true Israel, reliving Israel’s history. We should expect the shape…

June 1, 2008

Eucharistic meditation

Matthew 13:44: The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field. In the two brief parables in our sermon text, Jesus emphasizes the surpassing value of the kingdom. It is of such value that we must give up everything – abandon all other plans and aspirations and…

June 1, 2008

Exhortation

When He visited His hometown, Jesus didn’t do many acts of power. Matthew tells us He didn’t do much “because of their unbelief.” We Reformed Christians have a hard time taking this seriously. Matthew doesn’t sound truly Reformed. Isn’t God’s grace irresistible? Isn’t God sovereign? Does He have to wait…

June 1, 2008

Jesus’ sources

When Jesus visit Nazareth, the people ask “where did this man get this wisdom, and these powers?” and “where did this man get all these things?” Though not as overt, this is the same question raised earlier by the Pharisees, who charged that Jesus cast out demons through Satan’s power.…

May 31, 2008

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