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The aim of this short paper is quite narrow: to propose an alternate solution to the source behind the citation of Zechariah 9.9 in Matthew 21.5. Scholars have already proposed various solutions: the Old Greek, Masoretic Text, a combination of both Greek and Hebrew texts, and even the possibility of a Greek recension distinct from … Read more
Gender dysphoria is a term that describes a sense of unease that a person may have because of a felt mismatch between his biological sex and his gender identity (nhs.uk). In 2013, with the publication of DSM–5, “gender identity disorder” was eliminated and replaced with “gender dysphoria.” Jack Drescher, M.D. (2010) provided an overview of … Read more
Scholars such as Matthias Konradt and Charles Quarles have studied Matthew’s presentation of Jesus as the Son of Abraham and highlighted this title as important to Christology. However, despite these studies, this particular Christological title seems to remain to be explored. In this paper, I intend to demonstrate that Jesus’ title, Son of Abraham, in … Read more
While the Nicene confession of the Son’s consubstantiality with the Father was foundational for the Reformers, the metaphysical architecture underlying Nicene orthodoxy—particularly as mediated through Augustine—elicited both appropriation and reconfiguration. This paper investigates how two key Reformed theologians, John Calvin and Francis Turretin, retrieved Augustine’s articulation of divine simplicity within his Trinitarian theology, not as … Read more
This paper examines the axiology of Philippians in a complete way. Semantically, the axiological terminology in Philippians covers the areas of meaning dealing with a) being of value/ lacking it (ἔντιμος, ὑπερέχω, δοκιμή, ἀπώλεια) b) being worthy (ἀξίως), c) being good/bad (ἀγαθός, κρείσσων, κακός) and d) being advantageous/not advantageous (περισσεύω, ὑστερέω). Based on these areas … Read more
The narrative of Samson (Judg 13-16) occupies a prominent place within the book of Judges. Settled between the failed kingship of Abimelech in Judges 9, and several narratives containing the refrain “in those days there was no king in Israel” (Judg 17:6, 18:1, 19:1, 21:25; indicating the apparent societal failures in the absence of a … Read more
The Antichrist theme received significant attention from the time of the early church, as demonstrated in the writings of the church fathers. Multiple strands of interpretation developed in Christendom within 400 years of the resurrection of Jesus, and these varying positions would serve as the foundation for nearly all future interpretation of Revelation 13. Medieval … Read more
Since the publication of the late Michael Heiser’s *The Unseen Realm,* more evangelicals have accepted his ‘Deuteronomy 32 Worldview,’ which argues for a ‘divine council’ of heavenly beings who govern the affairs of various people groups on God’s behalf. Though averse to systematics and some of classical theology, Heiser’s emphasis on the supernatural (and especially … Read more
When C. S. Lewis addressed the Christian life in *Mere Christianity,* he explained the seven virtues: faith, hope, love, prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude. According to believers across centuries and continents, these seven provide the topography of the spiritual and moral life. Despite their acceptance by some ‘Reformed catholics,’ they have often been seen as … Read more
Although there is debate about the number bishops at the First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea, the number 318 became the traditional number. This resulted in a connection John Chrysostom and others made with the bishops fighting against heresy and Abraham’s 318 men fighting pagans to rescue Lot (Gen 14:14). Chrysostom and Ambrose of Milan connected … Read more