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Writing

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

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Eucharist

The Epiclesis in Reformed Eucharistic Prayer, (Part 1)

What happens at the Table of the Lord? If Christ is really present, then how is this so? The witness of the Church throughout history has been that Christ is present in the Eucharist through the operation of the Holy Spirit, and in the practice of the Church, prayers at…

by Christopher KouOctober 11, 2016
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Spiritual Warfare

Enemies and Victims

In the power of the Spirit, the gospel forms a society in which there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, a society that is characterized by unity, long-suffering, patience; love. The gospel forms a culture whose participants do not steal but labor and give, who are not angry…

by Peter LeithartOctober 6, 2016
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Mark

Sovereignty and Self-Gift

At the 1997 Biblical Horizons Summer Conference, the Rev. Jeffrey Meyers presented a series of remarkable lectures on the gospel of Mark. Among his many insightful comments, he suggested that the second gospel continues where the first gospel ends; Matthew ends with Jesus saying "Go" (Matthew 28:19), and Mark’s shows…

by Peter LeithartOctober 4, 2016
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Art

Birmingham Life and Culture Series: Joseph Bottum

On October 25 at Avondale Brewery , Theopolis will be co-sponsoring the 2nd Annual Birmingham Life and Culture Series. This year's event will feature author Joseph Bottum. Joseph is known for his writings on literary criticism, religion, and his short stories. Essayist and reviewer Mary Eberstadt has said that "his…

by Brian MoatsSeptember 29, 2016
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Biblical Studies

Are Not All These Galileans?

One of the curiosities of the New Testament revelation is its focus on Galilee. The region of Galilee was given to Asher, Zebulun, Naphtali, and Issachar, and the events of Judges 4-8 occurred there, so it had some importance in Israelite history. But when the tribe of Ephraim led the…

by James B. JordanSeptember 29, 2016
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Hermeneutics

Hero's Theme

In a recent post , Ian Paul discusses the practice of allegorical interpretation, reflecting in particular upon a conversation he had with someone concerning the reading of the story of Rahab. Paul’s interlocutor argued strongly for an allegorical reading of the Rahab story, writing: “Joshua is a type of Christ…

by Alastair RobertsSeptember 27, 2016

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Forgetful Reading

When teaching hermeneutics, I've limited myself to giving students two rules: “Pay attention!” and “Remember!” The exclamation points are essential. Professional readers don't always observe these rules. For instance: Satan is mentioned twice in Revelation 2-3 in connection with synagogues: Jewish communities that oppose the gospel and accuse Christians are…

November 10, 2016

America Being America

I nternational observers have looked with dismay on the 2016 Presidential election, often for good reason. But David Goldman offers a rebuttal. He observes that Trump’s victory “is not strictly speaking a Republican victory. The self-appointed guardians of Republican ideology for the most part supported Clinton or sat the race…

November 10, 2016

Men of Measure

T he account of David’s reign in 1 Chronicles alternates between house-building and war, house-building and international recognition and repute. David builds his house, and then fights Philistines, spreading fear throughout the region (1 Chronicles 14). Then David brings the ark into Jerusalem, places is in a tent, and makes…

November 9, 2016

Election Day Prayer

O God of earth and altar, bow down and hear our cry, our earthly rulers falter, our people drift and die; the walls of gold entomb us, the swords of scorn divide, take not thy thunder from us, but take away our pride. From all that terror teaches, from lies…

November 8, 2016

The Ways of Figuration

I n his Apocalypse Commentary , Nicholas of Lyra pauses from his comments on Revelation 11:11 to describe the various ways a figure can figure. He starts from the reasonable premise that “a figure of another thing is necessarily something in itself, because what is nothing cannot figure or signify…

November 8, 2016

Building a Human House

D avid is the hyperactive organizer of the effort to bring the ark into Jerusalem. After the first attempt ended in Uzza’s death, David determines that they had violated the ordinance, the word of God through Moses (1 Chronicles 15:13, 15). He makes sure they don't make the same mistake.…

November 8, 2016

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