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Writing

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

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Matthew

Fertile Toledots

The Book of Genesis contains eleven distinct markers readily acknowledged as the toledot formula. 1 Commentator Nahum Sarna counts the ’elleh toledot to be “…one of the distinguishing characteristics of the Book of Genesis”. 2 Among translations, the noun is variously translated as “generations” (ESV, KJV), “records of the generations”…

by Ben LoveladyDecember 20, 2022
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Romans

Who was Judah's Wickedest King? (Kings & Romans 1:18ff)

The answer that immediately comes to mind to the question in the title is Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah. He was conceived during the extension of life that God granted Hezekiah in response to his ardent prayer on his sick bed (2 Kings 20:1-11, 21:1). His reign is summarized in…

by Mark HorneDecember 13, 2022
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Ecclesiology

The End of Premium Mediocre Church

Back in 2019, on a whim, I sketched out a setting for a modern fantasy story: a single coffee shop that is simultaneously present in multiple cities throughout the world: “...you know the one. Books by local authors, brochures for a walking tour of the city’s outdoor sculpture, a poetry…

by Tim NicholsDecember 6, 2022
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Colossians

Colossians 4:2, “Watch"

Peter O’Brien’s translation of Colossians 4:2 surprised me: “Persevere in prayer as you watch for the Lord’s return, and be thankful.” 1 What is surprising about that? Well, none of my English translations mentioned “the Lord’s return” — nor does the Greek text! Translated literally, the verse just says: “In…

by Ralph Allan SmithNovember 29, 2022
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Books

The Laws and the Cosmos: A Brief Response to Stephen Wolfe on Cicero

I Natural Law This is a brief (well, briefer than it could be) first attempt at responding to a very small section of Stephen Wolfe’s recent book The Case for Christian Nationalism . It’s partial, deeply incomplete, and does not at all address the book as a whole; it is…

by Susannah Black RobertsNovember 24, 2022
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Formation

A Bad Man Speaking Well

The scuttlebutt of the last hundred years would tell us that Albert Einstein was a horrible husband, Winston Churchill was a racist, Mother Theresa was a hypocrite, and Caravaggio a murderer. From Benjamin Britten’s boys to Gandhi’s girls, it can be depressing and confusing to hear about people of great…

by Garrett SoucyNovember 22, 2022

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Tradition and Innovation in Nuce

Defending the possibility of innovation in doctrine is just another way of asserting sola Scriptura . It’s a way of saying that the church is accountable to the Word of God, and that the Scriptures have yet more to teach us as the church encounters new challenges. Protestantism is at…

August 12, 2014
Trinity

Introducing Trinity

Declan Marmion and Rik Van Nieuwenhove’s 2011 Introduction to the Trinity is an excellent introduction to both the history of Trinitarian theology and to contemporary discussions. The authors adopt what they call a “participative and sapiential” approach to theology, one that rejects the separation of faith and reason and of…

August 11, 2014

Triple Threat

The dragon mounts three attacks on the woman (Revelation 12). First, he stands ready to attack the laboring woman and gobble up her child (vv. 1-4). The child is snatched away to heaven and the woman flees to the wilderness. Here the dragon is taking the role of Herod, who…

August 11, 2014

Griper Laureate

“The world is going to hell in a hurry,” writes Charles Simic in his latest outburst . “At my age, I ought to be used to it, but I’m not.” It’s going to hell because “The innocent get slaughtered and someone makes up excuses.” And because of the thousands held…

August 11, 2014

Mother in Heaven

The Bible’s chapter breaks are often misleading. They can be worse. The chapter break between Revelation 11-12 obscures the scene almost completely. Unless we know where this takes place, we don’t know what’s taking place. At the end of chapter 11, the heavenly temple of God is opened , revealing…

August 11, 2014

Libertarian Futures?

Some Republicans have been saying that libertarianism is the wave of the GOP future, since it appeals to the next generation of voters. Whatever the merits or weaknesses of libertarianism as a political outlook, its political future is not as bright as some think. Jonathan Chait cites poll evidence that…

August 11, 2014

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