Jesus the Singer

Matthew is famously organized by five large blocks of teaching (chs. 5-7, 10, 13, 18, 23-25). At least numerically, if not otherwise, it hints that Jesus is the new Moses, bringing five new “books” from the mountaintop and then sending His disciples out into the world to read out those . . . . Continue Reading »

God With Us?

In his Grace and Christology in the Early Church (Oxford Early Christian Studies) , Donald Fairbairn lays out some helpful distinctions that clarify what was at stake in the Nestorian controversy. He initially lays out a distinction between “composite” understandings of the unity of . . . . Continue Reading »

Eros & Agape

In his 2005 Christmas encyclical, Deus caritas est , Benedict XVI explains why love has to be understood as both eros and agape , as ascending and descending love. He notes early on that the Bible rarely uses the word eros , arguing that “the tendency to avoid the word eros , together with . . . . Continue Reading »

Sermon notes

INTRODUCTION Isaiah’s earlier series of woes against the nations climaxes with woes against the “cousin” nation Moab (Isaiah 25:10; cf. Genesis 19:30-38). His second series of woes climaxes with a prophecy against another close relative – Edom, the descendants of Esau (Isaiah . . . . Continue Reading »

Seizing Sarai

In a sermon on the life of Abraham, James Jordan made several points that clarify what is happening to Abram and Sarai when they sojourn in Egypt. He noted parallels between Sarai and Helen of Troy to highlight the fact that it was not unknown for ancient kings to seize beautiful women, even at the . . . . Continue Reading »

Personal Mystery

In the highly sensible opening chapter to his Creator Spirit: The Holy Spirit and the Art of Becoming Human , Steven Guthrie asks what makes “art” seem “spiritual” to so many people. Many, he notes, find that art is spiritual because both “art” and . . . . Continue Reading »

Structure of Song 3:6-11

The second half of Song of Songs 3 is arranged in a chiasm, centering on the gibborim who are expert in war: A. What is coming?, v 6 B. Traveling coach of Solomon, v 7a C. mighty men, vv 7b-8 Ca.mighty men of the mighty men Cb. grasp sword Cc. expert in war Cb’. sword at side Ca’. . . . . Continue Reading »

Sacrifice of Solomon

Who is this coming from the wilderness? It’s traveling couch, born by sixty burly men. And it’s described as a sacrifice. It “comes up” from the wilderness ( ‘alah ). It is surrounded by pillars of smoke and is itself “smoked” ( mequtteret , from qatar , . . . . Continue Reading »