Theopolis Logo

Writing

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

See all
e99a2191
Theopolis News

New Season & New Relationships

We have moved from death to new life, from Lenten darkness to Easter light. And while Easter Sunday may have come and gone, it's effects are continually with us. This season has brought with it several new relationships, events, and signs of growth for Theopolis. We have been networking with…

by Peter LeithartMay 9, 2016
eucharist-2
Eucharist

Social Eucharist in the Middle Ages

In The People's Work , a social history of Christian Worship, Frank Senn summarizes the developments of the medieval period with regard to the Eucharist. He begins by challenging the assumption that medieval society was held together by “the church.” He notes that the church was often divided and conflicted,…

by Peter LeithartMay 5, 2016
turing-machine
Biblical Theology

What Is Systematic Typology? Part 4: Wheels Within Wheels

The structure of the Bible resembles something which was grown rather than built, composed rather than assembled. Its employment of “structure-as-sign” at every level from micro- to macrocosmic leads to the conclusion that a hermeneutic worthy of Scripture requires not only training in history, art and music but also the…

by Mike BullMay 3, 2016
giotto-noli-me-3
Luke

Eighth Day, Eighth Verdict

For some in first-century Israel, Easter was anything but good news. It was a terrifying surprise. For the rulers and powers that put Jesus to death, the idea that He had been raised by some power beyond their control was chilling. Early in Luke’s gospel, we're told that Herod thought…

by Peter LeithartApril 28, 2016
sebastian-pena-lambarri-yv593oymkmo-unsplash
Hermeneutics

153 Large Fish

Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. (John 21:11) This is one of those texts in the Bible that many people puzzle over. It is not a puzzle…

by James B. JordanApril 26, 2016
jesus-on-trial
Philemon

Pilate the Kingmaker

God is not mocked, Paul says. God is mocked, says Matthew. Who’s right? The two are in perfect harmony, but to see that, we need to run through the passage again. We’ll see that at every point, the mockery is being turned against the mockers. At every point, mockery is…

by Peter LeithartApril 21, 2016

Showing page 132 of 309

See all
See all

Raining Arrows

We don’t know what Henry V said to his troops before the battle of Agincourt. No doubt it was less eloquent and stirring than Shakespeare’s Crispin’s Day speech. But we do know how the English won the battle, and it’s vividly described in Gorgon Corrigan’s recent account of the Hundred…

September 3, 2014

Ancient Theory of Laughter

Writers on ancient laughter often speak in the singular of the “ancient theory of laughter.” What they usually mean is Aristotle’s theory of laughter. Mary Beard ( Laughter in Ancient Rome ) doesn’t think either of these things exists - there was no single ancient theory, and what Aristotle said…

September 3, 2014

Dramatics of Faith

Brian Brock is one of the most unusual theologians and ethicists writing today, and the set of interviews newly published as Captive to Christ, Open to the World is an excellent introduction to Brock’s work. Early on, he explains why he uses the term ethos rather than character, virtue, or…

September 3, 2014

On Nature

I reflect on the problems of using “nature” in Christian theology at the Trinity House site .

September 3, 2014

Maturing Into One

Jesus prays that His disciples “might be matured into one” ( osin teteleiomenoi eis hen , John 17:23). It’s a pregnant phrase. Unity requires maturity, the willingness to deal with those who differ, the willingness to face conflict without anxiety. Think of marriage. Maturity is nurtured by the difficult work…

September 2, 2014

Of Trees and Men

The angels at the corners of the land hold back the winds that could harm the earth, sea, and trees. But they actually have authority to harm only over the first two: earth and sea (Revelation 7:2). The trees won’t be harmed by the wind in any case. When the…

September 2, 2014

Showing page 537 of 2212

Browse by Category

In Medias Res

Your weekly digest for all things Theopolis.

Donate

Theopolis is nearly 100% donor-supported. Consider joining us on our mission.