Monthly Archives: September 2013

Random Thoughts

Posted on September 30, 2013 by

Some random thoughts inspired by a question regarding stoning and the Bible from the editor of an online news site for which I do some consulting: The Bible prescribes capital punishment for a variety of actions; stoning was one way … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Theology, Writing | Leave a comment

Failure Mode

Posted on September 29, 2013 by

We will sometimes believe that we have failed, and perhaps we have. But that can be okay. Look at Joseph. In the book of Genesis, Joseph was a teenager. Next to the youngest son, he was favored by his father, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Religion, Theology | Leave a comment

When There’s No Reason For Hope

Posted on September 28, 2013 by

After hoping that God would do something to fix the nation of Israel, and after learning from God that his “solution” is to have the nation suffer the destruction of a Babylonian invasion and conquest, the prophet Habakkuk is feeling … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Religion, Theology | Leave a comment

Sometimes Peace is Impossible

Posted on September 27, 2013 by

I went to my pharmacy a couple of days ago to pick up a prescription for my daughter. One person was ahead of me, an older woman—almost the stereotypical grandmother: white hair, glasses, slightly hunched. But she wasn’t acting like … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Religion | Leave a comment

Poetic License

Posted on September 26, 2013 by

When I teach biblical interpretation, one of the things I use to help explain the difference between biblical narrative and biblical poetry is to ask the students to compare Judges 4 and Judges 5. These two chapters make my job … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Religion, Theology | Leave a comment

Comforting Context

Posted on September 25, 2013 by

In reading the Bible, as with reading anything, context is important. I don’t like to rain on people’s parades, but it disturbs me sometimes when I see people take a comforting passage and apply it to themselves or others as … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Religion, Theology | Leave a comment

Are You a Chew Toy?

Posted on September 24, 2013 by

It requires no effort to look at the broken mess of your latest attempts and to decide that you are a loser. It requires no skill, takes no strength, and uses no calories to lie flat on your back and … Continue reading →

Posted in Writing | Leave a comment

Happenstance

Posted on September 23, 2013 by

The universe is random. Despite the more fatalistic branches of Christianity, and other religions, the biblical picture—I believe—is not at odds with our experience of the world. That is, I believe that God has given us freedom, and that freedom … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Religion, Theology | Leave a comment

Europa

Posted on September 22, 2013 by

Source SPACE.com: All about our solar system, outer space and exploration. Send to Kindle

Posted in Science, Space | Leave a comment

Bible for Dummies

Posted on September 21, 2013 by

The PC’s For Dummies book and its sequels have sold in excess of forty-five million copies. It has spawned numerous sequels and imitators, ranging from Windows for Dummies to Chess for Dummies and Gardening for Dummies. The Bible is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Leave a comment