Tag Archives: scripture

Wandering Stick

Whatever happened to desiring moral dominance? First, a brief lesson in biblical Hebrew expression. The terms “rod” and “staff” are roughly synonymous. When you read the expression — “thy rod and thy staff” — it refers to a single object, … Continue reading

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Bits and Pieces 17

At various times you’ll see modern Judaizers. After two millennia they are still at it, trying to drag Christians back under the Talmud. They don’t like the academic label “Judaizers” and claim various other terms, but it changes nothing. The … Continue reading

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Psalm 12

Some days it feels like your world has tumbled into the pits of Hell. Hyperbole is a common feature of the dramatic and symbolic Hebrew narrative. David begins with a common cry equivalent to our modern “God help us!” Have … Continue reading

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What I Am Working On

This is one of those things where you are tagged by someone you know. Jay DiNitto passed the torch to answer a few questions and I agreed to it. It didn’t hurt that he offered a flattering compliment, too. 1. … Continue reading

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Song of Solomon 2

The bride and groom tell the whole world of their devotion to each other. The treasure here is the collection of images in the unique Hebrew context. The woman opens with a measure of self-denigration. She’s nothing but a common … Continue reading

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Virtual Spiritual Family

Welcome to our virtual parish. I’m a virtual pastor. Technically I’m an elder, the management half of the church leadership team. However, I also serve in the priesthood role simply because no one else is doing it and I have … Continue reading

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Let’s Study Romance

Our Western culture militates against moral wisdom. Paul and his associates confronted a somewhat less foreign culture in the first churches outside Palestine than we do today. When you read between the lines of the New Testament, you still see … Continue reading

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Psalm 11

David was born in a noble household, fully educated in Hebrew culture. It is preposterous to suggest he would have been so shallow as to have written these songs from a silly, Westernized literal mindset. We enter a series of … Continue reading

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Song of Solomon Intro

Aside from the weekly Bible studies, we will add this series so I can get another book ready for publication. Among King Solomon’s many talents we can include poet and playwright. This book is pure fiction. To the degree it … Continue reading

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The Pastoral Narrative

I haven’t seen it all. What I have experienced forms the burden of my pastoral communications. The shepherd’s call is to tell what you know, as best you know how to tell it, so that others can catch a moment … Continue reading

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