When we overlook the cultural dimension of the original audience of Genesis 1, we risk distorting the original meaning and we get lost in the weeds of misunderstanding and mishandling.… Read More How do you see Genesis 1?
Racism, persecution of people because of their race, instigated the crisis of Esther, as Haman demands the death of all the Jews because of the insult of one Jew. But, racism also motivated Esther’s author to highlight the race of Haman, a comedic resolution to an historic, racial conflict between the Amalekites and the Israelites. Racism is evident throughout Esther’s story.… Read More Racism in Esther
The book of Esther is a story designed to echo Israel’s literary history to encourage and inspire national hope for a good future. It is a tale of deliverance, and the influences of other Biblical deliverance narratives, such as Joseph, Moses and the Judges, naturally imprint the organization of Esther’s rhythm as the reader cycles… Read More Esther’s Historical Background
1 Timothy is a letter written to help Timothy navigate the mixed-up, idolatrous ideas that were wreaking havoc on the faith of the Christians in Ephesus. Read more about these problems in this article. In 1 Timothy 2:9-15, Paul placed extreme limitations on the women in the Ephesian church, because the women were especially causing… Read More Artemis worship instigated the restrictions of 1 Timothy 2:9-15
We sang “Come Thou Fount” this morning in church. They skipped the Ebenezer verse. Boo. So, because I’m plagued with a condition called Earworms, I’ve been humming that vacant verse all morning. Here I raise my ebenezer, Hither by thy help I’ve come. Eben-ezer Before Ebenezer was Scrooge, it was a place. Eben, in Hebrew, means Rock or… Read More Here I lay my Ebenezer
The Happy Surprise 