A well-duh moment: Yahweh rides on the wings of the wing (2 Samuel 22:11; Psalm 18:10). He makes clouds His chariot, and walks (or “goes”) on the wings of the wind as well (Psalm 104:3). That seems to be the same image: He is standing in His wind-cloud chariot as it flies along. But of . . . . Continue Reading »
As many dramatically-inclined Bible teachers have said, the page that separates Old and New Testaments shouldn’t be there. It’s theologically indefensible since it bewitches us into thinking that we have two Bibles instead of one. That page is a disaster for literary reasons too. . . . . Continue Reading »
In his brief The Meaning of Tradition , Congar offers some helpful arguments and analogies for understanding the Catholic meaning of Tradition. In its most fundamental sense, Tradition is the thing handed-over, which is to say, the Son Himself handed to the world by the Father: “God (the . . . . Continue Reading »
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 »
An old textual conundrum regarding the New Testament, frequently revisited by those who fret over every jot and tittle, is whether Christ was really talking about a camel or only about a very thick rope. My money is on the camel, and not only because I am fond of both camels and outlandish . . . . Continue Reading »
Van Leeuwen offers this superb description of the purpose of Israel among the nations: “In the life, society, state and culture of Israel the Lord the Creator is active in carrying out his purposes. The religious ideas, the mythology, cult and ritual, the social and legal traditions, yes, and . . . . Continue Reading »
In his brilliant Christianity and World History , Arend Th. van Leeuwen argues that the phrase “ends of the earth” as a description of the GEntile lands alludes to the land/sea distinction of the original creation, and also that it puts the Gentiles in the position of being the . . . . Continue Reading »
The Internet is the best and worst thing that could have happened to serious study, I wrote last time in this series. The benefit is in the sheer quantity of information available. The chief problem is distraction. There are other risks, including that of becoming a Google scholar.Studying the Bible . . . . Continue Reading »
Twice in the opening question of the Summa , Thomas justifies some institution or practice in the church with a reference to the need for saving truth to be communicated to the uneducated many. Are sacred doctrine, and revelation, necessary? Yes, and partly because “the truth of God such as . . . . Continue Reading »
First comes the flood, wiping away the world that then was. Then God calls Abram from the nations, inserting Himself into the world through His chosen. First comes the flood of Babylonians, wiping out the temple. Then Yahweh sends Israel out into the nations, inserting Himself into the world . . . . Continue Reading »
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