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For many readers, the military exemptions of Deuteronomy 20:5–7 are somewhat puzzling. What army on the cusp of battle would willingly allow a portion of its fighting force to return home for the seemingly mundane reasons mentioned in 20:5–7? For many, this has led to the suspicion that there must be more to these exemptions … Read more
New Testament fulfillment, as indicated by the term πληρόω, has received considerable attention. It is often assumed that when the biblical authors used the term πληρόω, they intended to indicate the fulfillment of predictive prophecy or messianic-predictive fulfillment (e.g., Guthrie, Longenecker, Menken, Konradt, Hays, among many others). This assumption about predictive prophecy and fulfillment is … Read more
Paul’s references to eschatological loss and salvation “only as through fire” in 1 Corinthians 3:15 have long puzzled biblical scholars. The majority interpretation throughout history has understood the “suffering of loss” as receiving a lesser degree of eschatological rewards (e.g., Augustine, Schweitzer, Braun, Filson, Reicke, Sanders, Rosscup, Fuller, Ton, Piper). The phrase “but only as … Read more
The study of Nicene Christology overwhelmingly focuses on textual sources – tomes, homilies, epistles, and creedal formulations. Yet Patristic theological reflection was not confined to written and spoken words. Early Christians both inhabited and contributed to a world in which visual imagery was a crucial medium of communication. Much scholarship has focused on the communicative … Read more
In their theological debate with Eunomius of Cyzicus, it is well-known that the Cappadocians strongly disputed their opponent’s claim that “God knows no more of His own substance than we do” (Socrates, Church History IV.7) by appealing to the absolute incomprehensibility of God’s essence (e.g., Gregory of Nazianzus, Or. 28). What is less often recognized … Read more
The concept of a “new covenant” (Luke 22:20) in early Christianity naturally brought to the fore a host of questions concerning the nature of the church, Israel, and how to interpret Scripture—questions that remain relevant to this day. This paper will examine the approach to this problem in the fourth century writer known as “Macarius.” … Read more
Chronic anxiety, affecting over 40 million U.S. adults annually (National Institute of Mental Health), distorts worldview, convincing sufferers that hope is futile, suffering lacks purpose, and God is distant, leading to despair and isolation. Interventional methods, such as therapy and medication, aimed at regulating the body and calming neural patterns, cannot fully reorient these perceptions … Read more
Within evangelical complementarian traditions women called to ministry have struggled to find their place of leadership within the church. To what extent can a hermeneutical framework of ‘agency from the margins’ yield a viable practical theological model for women’s flourishing in ministry within, and in fidelity to, complementarian traditions? The story of Ruth in Biblical … Read more
Debate continues over the identity of the blasphemous son in Leviticus 24:10–23. Notable scholars Jacob Milgrom and Bryan Bibb (and some noteworthy evangelicals) identify the son as a foreigner, and thus advance that Leviticus 24:10–23 functionally establishes that non-Israelites also must act holy. Other scholars Simeon Chavel and M.C. Westcott consider the son to be … Read more
Pastors typically spend the bulk of their time interacting with Christians. For this reason, they may not fully appreciate the experiences of their congregants who interact with the non-Christian world on a daily basis. Sermons, for example, from Esther, Daniel, or 1 Peter may be less effective if they fail to grapple with the challenges … Read more