on hold in the event of a cancellation
Ezekiel 28 is part of a series of oracles against the Phoenician kingdom of Tyre and its ruler, sometimes referred to as his Tyre cycle. Verses 11-19 constitute a dirge which has been widely considered challenging to interpret via the popular avenues of textual criticism, literary comparison, or later Christian theology. I suggest that a … Read more
This paper will conclude that the emphasis on the Shema and “Final Enemy” legends in the Jewish writings of the intertestamental period provide the necessary cultural background for the Mark of the Beast passages in John’s Apocalypse. The Second Temple period gave rise to new styles of writing and eschatological hopes previously unnoticed in Jewish … Read more
As sojourners in a fallen world, life includes suffering, pain, and perhaps trauma. This paper focuses on a theological perspective of trauma for the purpose of caring for people holistically, both physically and spiritually. Indeed, God created human beings as embodied souls; both body and soul are important. Trauma research emphasizes the physical aspect of … Read more
Abstract: This is a co-authored presentation with Leo Percer (Associate Professor of Biblical Studies at Liberty University). With the rise of the internet and other technological innovations, the world has witnessed a rise in “on-line communities.” Technological advances (including but not limited to Artificial Intelligence—i.e., AI) create a problem and an opportunity for the 21st … Read more
In this work the following thesis will be defended: In Matthew 2:23, Matthew makes a theological link between Jesus and Samson in order to substantiate his understanding of Christ as Nazirite/Judge/Deliverer par excellence. Therefore where Samson failed to deliver his people as Nazirite/Judge/Deliverer, Christ does not. Not only should Christ be viewed theologically as NT … Read more
The pericope of the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15 has frequently puzzled expositors and perturbed readers. The manner and matter of Jesus’ conversation with her seems stark and even harsh compared to other gospel narratives, prompting some progressive interpreters to cite this passage as demonstrative of ethnocentrism, implicit bias, and even racism. Yet she persists … Read more
I will argue in this paper that the author of Samuel utilized previous characters and events to shed light upon the transition in 2 Samuel 10–14. I will demonstrate that the author connects the characters and events to previous characters and events in Samuel, as well as those in Genesis and Judges. Various studies of … Read more
The Marrow Controversy (1717–1723) was a significant Scottish ecclesiastical dispute regarding the book “The Marrow of Modern Divinity.” During the controversy, Thomas Boston of Ettrick and Principal Hadow of St Mary’s College and their associates hotly debated the issues of assurance, legalism, antinomianism, and the nature and offer of the gospel. A central contention was … Read more
This paper looks at some essential themes in post-apostolic Christianity through the epistolary interventions of Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, and Polycarp of Smyrna. Each of these writers led churches in one of the three most important regions of the Roman Empire and the emerging geography of early Christianity. Though their letters were occasional … Read more
In our previous work (ETS 2023), Torey Teer and I, building upon the foundation laid by Gregg Allison (2019 article, 2021 book, 2022 online article), Gracilynn Hanson (2022 dissertation), and myself (2023 dissertation), presented Creation Essentialism as a biblically faithful conception of gender that prioritizes ontology over function and similarity over dissimilarity: “Men and women … Read more