When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. –Mark 16:1 The time to anoint the Son is fast passing. In a fit time, he was anointed by the waters of the Jordan and then by the descent of the … Continue reading The Time to Anoint the Son
Because Adam was forbidden to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, some have erred in thinking that he lacked all moral knowledge before sin, that he received only a verbal commandment without having any sense of good and evil. After all, he had not eaten the fruit of that forbidden … Continue reading On the Prelapsarian Perfection of Man
By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil (Proverbs 16:6). What does one say to those who insist we must act only out of the love of God and never from fear? I wish to think through the role of fear in … Continue reading On Scorn Hidden in Reverence: More on Recommending the Fear of the Lord
Which grammatical case is the most judgmental?
Continue reading “Mr. Spun’s Truly Terrible Awful Jokes: #46”
By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil (Proverbs 16:6). Those who live their entire lives under an anxious fear of the Lord surely do not know him as they ought. Nevertheless, those who insist that the fear of the Lord play … Continue reading Spiritual Fornication: On Recommending the Fear of the Lord
In Kate DiCamillo’s Tale of Despereaux, a maidservant, Miggery Sow, usurps the place of Princess Pea. The maidservant, dull, ugly, and cruel, is a mockery of the true lady. In the halls of learning, something similar has happened. Philosophy, and the liberal arts under them were once understood to be the handmaid of Theology, the … Continue reading When the Handmaiden Usurps the Throne: Liberating Theology from the Liberal Arts
Each word is like a gem that shines with a distinct luster, that possesses a distinct virtue of its own, one that will offset various settings and occasions uniquely. Thus rhetoric is as the jeweler’s art in its attention to clarity, harmony, and integrity of speech, in all its parts and as a whole. And … Continue reading On the Necessity of Rhetoric
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12). It would be a problem if Wisdom Literature was written only for the wise! Rather, it is written from wisdom for wisdom. This is no paradox; it is divine pedagogy, in which form and content meet most felicitously. Habits of … Continue reading The Heart of Wisdom Literature: Reflecting on the Form and Content of Ecclesiastes
What makes a difficult reading? Some texts are dense. Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason comes to mind. Others are poorly written, and I will not name names. Though I do have beef with the overuse of adjectives, particularly in contemporary children’s young adult literature. Some books presuppose significant prior learning, while others simply have very … Continue reading Difficult Reading: A Descent into Hell
Betrayed “May I speak with you, my Liege?” “Come in, Deacon.” “I am troubled.” “What troubles you?” “I have not received my promotion.” “Are you sure?” “Yes, my Lord.” “You seem grieved.” “Have I not served you well? Have I not labored for you?” “You have labored.” “Then am I not ready to enter further … Continue reading Betrayed
Same & Other 