Peter J. Leithart

Lakoff and Johnson make the striking claim that the notion of free will is implicated in the traditional disembodied conception of reason: “Will is the application of reason to action.  Because human reason is disembodied - that is, free of the constraints of the body - will is radically . . . . Continue Reading »

George Lakoff and Mark Johnson ( Philosophy in the Flesh : The Embodied Mind and Its Challenge to Western Thought ) agree with Paul DeMan that metaphors lie at the heart of metaphysical theories.  They do not, however, believe that exposing the metaphorical ground of metaphysics destabilizes . . . . Continue Reading »

1 Peter 4:3-4: For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousals, drinking parties and abominable idolatries.  And in all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them . . . . Continue Reading »

Later in the service this morning, we will ordain two new deacons, Rick Schumaker and Brendan O’Donnell.  Both have gone through a period of apprenticeship with our two deacons, and both have been elected by the congregation. But the ordination is no mere formality.  Ordination is . . . . Continue Reading »

Solomon’s temple had windows, but they are mentioned only once, in 1 Kings 6:4.  Ezekiel’s description of the visionary temple uses the word “window” twelve times. One can see out of, and look into, Solomon’s temple.   From Ezekiel’s temple, Israel can . . . . Continue Reading »

The spies at Jericho are released through Rahab’s window. Then David escapes through a window from his wife’s rooms.  Saul is the King of Jericho; David will return later to take the city. Then Paul too escapes through a window in a basket.  He too is God’s spy, checking . . . . Continue Reading »

Isaiah 35 shares a number of fairly rare terms with Song of Songs 2.  Both refer to the crocus or rose (Isaiah 35:1; Song of Songs 2:1).  Both have people leaping (Isaiah 35:6; Song of Songs 2:8) and in both the leaping person is compared to a stag (Isaiah 35:6; Song of Songs 2:9). . . . . Continue Reading »

“Voice of my beloved!  Behold, he comes!” says the excited bride in the Song of Songs 2:8. As the older commentators noted, this is redemptive history in a nutshell: First the voice, then the Lover in flesh.  So long as the prophets speak, Israel knows that the Lover is . . . . Continue Reading »

The first verses of Song of Songs 2 repeatedly return to military imagery.  The fact that there is a “battle standard” (2:4; cf. Numbers 1:52; 2:2, 3, 10, 17, 18, etc.) over the “house of wine” suggests that the feast is a victory feast as much as a love feast. . . . . Continue Reading »

Solid, opaque things cast shadows.  Our presence is not confined to the solid and defined outline of our body.  Our presence spreads out, casting a shadow and providing shade. That’s the phenomenological basis behind the Bible’s use of shade/shadow imagery.  Shadows . . . . Continue Reading »