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Writing

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

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Baptism

Baptismal Imagery in James 1

Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls (James 1:21). James hooks the different sections of his epistle together by using the same or a similar word at the close of one section and…

by Peter LeithartSeptember 11, 2014
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Deuteronomy

A Good Land

Deuteronomy 8 is organized as a new chiasm: A. Remember and do commandments, 8:1-2 B. Manna and clothing in the wilderness, 8:3-4 C. Know in your heart that Yahweh disciplined you, 8:5-6 D. The good land, 8:7-10 C'. Do not be proud in heart, 8:11-14 B'. Manna and water, 8:15-17…

by Peter LeithartSeptember 8, 2014
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Creation

On Nature

Should we use the category of "nature" in our theology? Start, as ever, with some Bible-thumpin': If someone were to construct a "metaphysics" or view of reality from the Bible alone, the category of nature would not be a prominent one. Here and there, the Bible uses this word and…

by Peter LeithartSeptember 3, 2014
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John

Gift of Glory, Gift of Unity

The doctrine of the Trinity is woven into our worship every week. We are called to worship in the Name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. We confess the Trinity in the Nicene Creed. We are blessed in the Name of the Trinity. Pervasive as it is, the…

by Peter LeithartSeptember 1, 2014
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Theopolis News

Trinity Term, 2014

Eight students from five states and seven different churches attended the Trinity Term course, our first intensive course for the 2014-15 year. Two pastors were in the class, along with five pastoral students and one layman. James Jordan lectured through the book of Genesis, and Peter Leithart added several lectures…

by Peter LeithartAugust 29, 2014
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Matthew

Not One Stone

The world seems to be coming apart at the seams. A jihadist uploads a video showing an American journalist being beheaded. Ferguson, Missouri, endures night after night of demonstrations that turn into vandalism. Russia is meddling with Ukraine, ISIS is on the move in the Middle East, illegal immigrants (we're…

by Peter LeithartAugust 25, 2014

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Art

Mystical modernism

Painter Wassily Kadinsky complained about the materialism of modern life: “Only just now awakening after years of materialism, our soul is infected with the despair born of unbelief, of lack of purpose and aim. The nightmare of materialism, which turned life into an evil, senseless game, is not yet passed;…

December 14, 2007
Music

Chaos and order

Pierre Boulez’s total serialism depended, in the words of Jeremy Begbie, “on the rigorous organization of music through the use of strict mathematical patterns.” The results were, Begbie says, “extremely dull, indeed, some of the most tedious ever written.” Around the same time, John Cage was composing “chance music,” made,…

December 14, 2007

Orchestra of the world

Calvin says “The whole world is a theater for the display of the divine goodness, wisdom, justice, and power, but the Church is the orchestra, as it were - the most conspicuous part of it.”

December 13, 2007

Water of regeneration

Calvin interprets Titus 3:5 as a baptismal passage. Baptism is a sign and pledge of God’s mercy that signifies and pledges this mercy by ingrafting the baptized into the church: “The train of thought of the passage is this: ‘God saves us by his mercy and he has given us…

December 13, 2007

Calvin and Ordination

In his recent book on image and word in Calvin, Randall Zachman describes Calvin’s shifting views on ordination. Early on, he sarcastically rejects the notion that the laying of hands in the Roman Church constitutes a sacrament. By 1543, however, he has changed both his tone and his position. He…

December 13, 2007

Silent gods

Idols have mouths, but don’t speak. But the fear of the prophets is that Yahweh might be the same. Evil abounds in Israel and the nations, yet Yahweh does nothing and says nothing. If Yahweh is silent in the face of evil, how does he differ from the gods of…

December 12, 2007

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