Latest Posts
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The Greek New Testament (Cambridge/Crossway edition): I Like Big “Buts” & I Can’t Elide
Read more: The Greek New Testament (Cambridge/Crossway edition): I Like Big “Buts” & I Can’t ElideMy first exposure to The Greek New Testament published jointly by Cambridge University Press and Crossway was at the recent SBL conference in Boston (if you’re interested in all of its unique features, methodology, rationale, etc, you can check out a little explanation here; similarly, here is a detailed blog that addresses several issues surrounding the…
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Pray Hell Suffers
Read more: Pray Hell SuffersWe should pray that those in hell suffer to the uttermost. Dante’s Inferno provides a glimpse into the historical theology of hell in a particular medieval iteration. One of Dante’s many points is that God’s judgment precipitates in the idea of contrapasso–the punishment resembles or contrasts with the sin itself. The main idea with contrapasso is the φύσιν (physin), or…
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Four Reasons to Stop Using BestCommentaries.com
Read more: Four Reasons to Stop Using BestCommentaries.comCommentaries, like any books, can be good or bad though it can be hard to articulate why we feel some commentaries are better than others. I think that’s because we all assume that commentaries should be doing something, but we aren’t sure exactly what that something is. In general, I think some people would agree that commentaries attempt five…
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Complementarianism: Redeeming Conversation
Read more: Complementarianism: Redeeming ConversationThis conversation is, for the most part, generally toxic. It often results in two events: 1) The experience and input of women is generally ignored, disregarded, or chalked up to “merely anecdotal evidence”. 2) There are generally men who get defensive in the conversation. Perhaps a closer look at these three issues are necessary as…
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The Solidarity Bandwidth
Read more: The Solidarity BandwidthWith the unsettling rise of international tragedies also comes the unfortunately now all-too-familiar swell of collective showings of solidarity on social media. In the wake of such horrific events, Facebook profiles have been seen switching en masse to familiar symbols and hashtags displaying strength amid loss: #BostonStrong #HoustonStrong #WeAreManchester #Aleppo #PrayForParis #JeSuisCharlie. So when the Thanksgiving…
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Choosing Gratitude
Read more: Choosing GratitudeIn Time’s article on “7 Surprising Health Benefits of Gratitude,” Ducharme discusses different benefits of being thankful. The seven benefits include how gratitude can make us more patient, improves relationships, improves self-care, improves sleep, stops overeating, can help ease depression, and give happiness that lasts. These findings aren’t too surprising as it makes sense that…
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Greece: I perceive in all things that you are very religious
Read more: Greece: I perceive in all things that you are very religiousLast Spring I attended an academic study trip to Northern Greece with some of my colleagues, faculty and postgraduate research students from two other universities (Liverpool Hope and KU Leuven), and some independent researchers. We visited Thessaloniki, Philippi, Kavala (Neapolis), Amphipolis, Thasos, Pella, Veria (Berea), Vergina, and Dion. We had the wonderful opportunity to visit…
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The Two Cities goes to Scotland, and Brandon learns a lesson.
Read more: The Two Cities goes to Scotland, and Brandon learns a lesson.I can’t tell if I write about theology or if this has suddenly become a travel blog, but let me fill you in on my last weekend in Scotland. My wife and I (along with John and Logan from this blog) made our way up to Scotland for a few days to catch up and…
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The American Myth
Read more: The American MythThere is a peculiar myth that is cherished by Americans. Dating back prior to the founding of the country, this myth has engrained itself into the very ethos of society. It has been the driving force of the American economy, its judicial system, and as of lately, it can readily be observed in its political…
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Haggai and the Expectation of the Experience of God’s Presence: Part 3
Read more: Haggai and the Expectation of the Experience of God’s Presence: Part 3In my previous blog posts on Haggai, I discussed a few of the different expectations that the people of Israel held concerning the presence of Yahweh as they followed his command to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. Their expectation for Yahweh to show up in a powerful way upon the Temple’s completion and dedication, an…