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Writing

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

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Revelation

The Seven Thunders, An Interpretive Suggestion

And He cried out with a loud voice, as when a lion roars; and when He had cried out, the seven thunders spoke their voices (Revelation 10:3). In Revelation 10 John sees Jesus come down to him from heaven with a little book in His hand. Jesus cries out with…

by James B. JordanOctober 7, 1994
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Biblical Chronology

Genesis 5 & 11: Chronological-Theological Reflections

The numbers found in Genesis 5 & 11 display characteristics that indicate a complex and meticulous symbolic schematization operating at several levels. Because these numbers are so potent symbolically, unbelieving scholars have universally (as far as I know) treated them as artificial. Believers take them literally, but believers must also…

by James B. JordanOctober 7, 1994
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Revelation

The Kings From the East

And the sixth angel poured out his bowl upon the great river, the Euphrates; and its water was dried up, that the way might be prepared for the kings from the east [sunrising]. (Revelation 16:12) The kings from the east in Revelation 16:12 are generally assumed to be enemies of…

by James B. JordanSeptember 10, 1994
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Biblical Studies

Covenants and Dates

During my brief sojourn as a pastor during the 1980s, I had several occasions to be involved in settling disputes between men in the congregation I served. A typical dispute went like this: Two men formed a company to do business. After a few years, the business went sour, and…

by James B. JordanSeptember 10, 1994
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Revelation

The Grape Harvest of Revelation 14:17-20

The two harvests of Revelation 14:14-20, of grain and of grapes, are most often understood as symbolic of God’s judgment against the wicked, or against Babylon, as amplified in chapters 16 & 17. Some commentators, however, notice that the gospels speak of the grain harvest as a reaping of the…

by James B. JordanAugust 10, 1994
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Deuteronomy

The Chronology of the Pentateuch (Part 6)

(Conclusion of Chapter 16 in the previous Biblical Chronology Article) Month 3, 2513 According to Leviticus 23:15-16, Pentecost was to be observed 50 days after the sabbath after Passover, or 49 days after the Feast of First Fruits. I initially based my reflections on the Jewish tradition that the Law…

by James B. JordanAugust 10, 1994

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Science

The Cosmological Principle

Joseph Silk is Professor of Astronomy at Oxford, and in The Infinite Cosmos , he offers a layman’s summary of what’s happening in cosmology. One of the central principles of modern cosmology is the “cosmological principle,” the theory that the “universe is approximately the same in all directions. In contrast…

October 3, 2007

Baptism in the CRC

The 1959 CRC Psalter Hymnal’s rite for infant baptism includes an abbreviated version of Luther’s great flood prayer, and ends with this thanksgiving: “Almighty God and merciful Father, we thank and praise Thee that Thou hast forgiven us and our children all our sins, through the blood of Thy beloved…

October 3, 2007

David’s wives

My oldest son Woelke pointed out to me that 1-2 Samuel refer several times to David’s two wives - Ahinoam and Abigail (cf. 1 Sam 25:43). They are named - complete with their places of origin - when David goes to live with Achish (1 Sam 27:3), when the Amalekites…

October 1, 2007

David’s wives

My oldest son Woelke pointed out to me that 1-2 Samuel refer several times to David’s two wives - Ahinoam and Abigail (cf. 1 Sam 25:43). They are named - complete with their places of origin - when David goes to live with Achish (1 Sam 27:3), when the Amalekites…

October 1, 2007
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Sermon notes

INTRODUCTION Verse 19 opens a new section of the sermon, which focuses on our attitude toward wealth, but the verse also closes the earlier section on acts of piety. We lay up treasures on earth when we do righteousness to be seen by men; we lay up treasures in heaven…

October 1, 2007

On the ropes?

Responding the Homeland Security advisor Frances Fragos Townsend claim that Al Quaeda is on the ropes, Arnaud de Borchgrave points to the groups impressive cyber-organization. “As former Central Command chief Gen. John Abizaid said, ‘Al Qaeda’s organizing ability in cyberspace is unprecedented.’ Cyberpower has emerged as a complex ether power…

September 30, 2007

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