Trinity, Nature/Grace, FV

What is the so-called “Federal Vision” controversy about?  I’ve argued in the past that it is an effort to refine various areas of Reformed theology (anthropology, soteriology, etc) in the light of Trinitarian theology.  I have also suggested regularly that the FV is an . . . . Continue Reading »

Infantile Airlines

Mind you, I enjoy flying for the most part.  Talkative seatmates apart, it’s a great time to get caught up on my reading, taking a little nap, and reading some more.  There are aggravations, but for the most part minor.   I like to complain when I travel, but it’s just . . . . Continue Reading »

Cry for Vindication

Jerome Neyrey ( Honor and Shame in the Gospel of Matthew ) argues that Jesus’ cry from Psalm 22 on the cross is not a cry of despair or anguish.   It is a lament-complaint.  Jesus went to the cross trusting that His Father will honor His faithfulness and obedience.  The cry . . . . Continue Reading »

Defending De Regnon

Who would do such a thing?  Kristin Hennessy, that’s who, in a delightful 2007 article in the Harvard Theological Review . She starts by noting that the current effort to rid theology of the corpse of de Regnon is nothing new.  He’s been buried before, four times by . . . . Continue Reading »

Heptamerous Genesis 2

This is old news, borrowed mainly from James Jordan, but maybe worth putting up. Genesis 2-3, like Genesis 1, is divided into seven main sections.  For the most part, the divisions are marked by the name Yahweh God and by descriptions of Yahweh God’s actions.  Thus: 1. No shrub, . . . . Continue Reading »

Image of God again

A friend, Paul Buckley, has this to add to my comments about the image of God: “This is coal to Newcastle, but: To your suggestion that what makes human making and speaking unique is their frequent gratuity, I’d add this (building on remarks from Sister Miriam Joseph’s  The . . . . Continue Reading »

Image of God again

A former student, Stephen Long, writes the following in response to my post about the image of God and Adamic stoicheia: “You list two aspects of the image of God in Gen 1 — Making and Speaking.  Perhaps you see it as implicit to Speaking, but might it be worth bringing out . . . . Continue Reading »

Dereliction and the Spirit

Matthew’s account of the cry of dereliction follows a chiastic structure: A. Jesus cries Psalm 22, 27:46 B. He falls for Elijah, 27:47 C. Sponge soaked in wine, drink; 27:48 B’. See whether Elijah comes, 27:49 A’. Cried again and gave Spirit, 27:50 There are a number of . . . . Continue Reading »

Image of God

What does it mean for man to be in God’s image?  It means that on a creaturely level, human beings do what God does and have capacities that imitate God’s infinite capacities. Can we unpack that?  The best way, I submit, is (initially) to stay within the narrative of Genesis . . . . Continue Reading »

Son or Servant?

Was Adam created Son or Servant?  Is the primary relationship of Yahweh to Adam Lord or Father? Recognizing that Adam was placed in a stoicheic situation from his creation cuts through the opposition. Adam is created a son.  That’s what it means to be in the image and likeness of . . . . Continue Reading »