A Problem Of Presence Beyond Scripture In An African Church
300 Book Reviews / Pneuma 31 (2009) 291-329 Matthew Engelke, A Problem of Presence: Beyond Scripture in an African Church (Berkeley: University of California…
scripture
What Did Pilate State in John 19:22?: Conclusion (repost)
[This is the second of a two-part repost in recognition of Holy Week. See part I.] In the conclusion here I shall more closely explore the three verses leading up to Pontius Pilate’s pithy phrase in John 19:22. Due to the rather technical nature of the…
The Theological Problem of Spirit versus Scripture
A radical move In 2002 I was contemplating an interstate move on the basis of a dream. ‘Move to Sydney,’ the Spirit had said, ‘and you will become the Academic Dean of Hillsong College.’ At the time, I had been working two part-time jobs – one at a local Bible college, and the other, pastoring […]
One Composer’s Conception of Time
“I saw a mighty angel descending from heaven, clad in a cloud, having a rainbow upon his head. His face was like the sun, his feet like pillars of fire. He placed his right foot on the sea, his left foot on the land; and, supporting himself on the sea …
Not Declining the Divine Name?
John writes some strange things in Revelation, aka The Apocalypse of Jesus Christ. An angel fills a golden censer with fire from the heavenly altar, and throws it to the earth. And there’s an angel standing in the sun, crying with a loud voice to birds…
What Have I With You?
I get a kick out of idioms! Idiomatic expressions spice up speech and literature. They can add levity to mundane subjects or technical works. Here are a few idioms to make you hunger for more: Food for thought A piece of cake Pie in the sky Egg on my f…
Staying Within Proper Theological Boundaries: Important Words
This post is an extension of Staying Within Proper Theological Boundaries. Here we look at the color-coded words plus “Almighty” in the 381 Nicene Creed. We believe in one God, the Father Almighty [pantokratōr], Maker [poitēs] of heaven and earth, of…
The Standing of the Pharisee and the Tax-Collector in the Temple
Abstract: In this parable (Luke 18:9–14) “stand” (ἵστημι, histēmi), in reference first to the Pharisee then the tax-collector, is usually interpreted literally. This bears out in commentaries, yet is also implied in common English translations. Argued…
If “church” is not translated from any biblical word, is this an example of changing the meaning of scripture?
The etymology of church cannot be traced to the Greek word, ekklesia. Christians persist on using a unscriptural word to justify their religious tradition of associating people to a physical structure. We all know this… why do we allow it?…
Staying Within Proper Theological Boundaries
In the formative years of the Christian Ekklēsia (“Church”)1 synods (councils) were convened in response to doctrinal controversies and other matters needing refinement. Those synods gaining acceptance in the Ekklēsia at large became known as ecumeni…
Vengeance Is Not for Us, Rejoicing Is.
As the times grow ever more, uh, ‘challenging’, take time to reflect. Like medicine for the soul, reading and reflecting upon the Psalms can have a calming effect. It can be cathartic. I’m sure it was for David as he was writing at least some of his. T…
What Did Pilate State in John 19:22? (repost)
[This is a repost (revised a bit) in recognition of Holy Week. Of necessity, it is a bit technical.] In reading any common English translation of John 19:22, one finds Pilate saying, “What I have written, I have written.”1 This is certainly not incorre…