Sins of the Fathers

That the sins of the fathers are “imputed” to sons is, Grotius thinks, a clear teaching of Scripture ( Defensio Fidei Catholoicae: De Satisfactione Christi Adversus Faustum Socinum Senensem (1.25). But why? Grotius gives this intriguing answer, reflecting on Jeremiah’s use of the . . . . Continue Reading »

Before the ark

Hebrews 9:4 makes the strange claim that the golden altar of incense was part of the equipment of the Most Holy Place, the “second sanctuary” beyond the “second veil.” This seems to directly contradict the Torah, which says that Moses put the altar in front of the veil . . . . Continue Reading »

Mosaic servant

Isaiah 49:2 is arranged in a neat ABAB pattern: A. He has made My mouth like a sharp sword (weapon) B. In the shadow of His hand He has concealed ( chava’ ) Me (hiding); A’. And He has also made Me a select arrow (weapon), B’. He has hidden ( satar ) Me in His quiver (hiding). Two . . . . Continue Reading »

Seeing God

Deuteronomy and Exodus contradict one another regarding the visibility of God, says Margaret Barker in Temple Mysticism (p. 2). Moses reminds the Israelites, “you heard the sound of words but saw no form” (Deuteronomy 4:12). Exodus 24:10, though, says that Moses and the elders . . . . Continue Reading »

Gnat theology

Yesterday, I heard a highly stimulating sermon on gnat theology (Exodus 8:16-18) from my friend, Pastor David Deutsch of Grace Reformed Church in Camarillo, California. Gnats arise from dust; dust is cursed, a symbol of death. From that association, David drew the inference that gnats on man and . . . . Continue Reading »

House of Treasures

The ark of the covenant is a type of Christ, Bede says ( Bede: On the Tabernacle (Liverpool University Press - Translated Texts for Historians) , 20). It is also a type of the church: “the ark can also be taken figuratively as the Holy Church which is constructed from incorruptible wood (that . . . . Continue Reading »

Three Mountains

Bede ( Bede: On the Tabernacle (Liverpool University Press - Translated Texts for Historians) ) neatly contrasts Sinai and the mount of Jesus’ sermon. Moses goes up alone on Sinai “since at that time the Scripture of the law was being committed solely to the people of Israel.” . . . . Continue Reading »