The Bible and Culture

(What follows here is a small excerpt from my forthcoming full dress socio-rhetorical Philippians commentary for Eerdmans, due out later this year.  See what you think). A Closer Look: Honor, Shame, and Apostolic Life The honor and shame culture Paul lived in was far different from contemporary Western culture and its values. “Honor” and “shame” in this context do not primarily refer to feelings of honor or shame, though feelings would be involved, but rather to being honored … [Read more...]

Here is an article by Heather Hahn discussing the clause in the Apostle's Creed which reads 'he descended to the dead'.  Check it out. http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=5847223&ct=9359507&notoc=1. … [Read more...]

Closure The darkening of the day. Full stop. The light dies away. Closure It’s all dead and gone. Time’s up. You’re left to carry on. Closure Tying up of loose ends. Completion. A new chapter begins. Closure Signed on the dotted line Well done. Some things left behind. Closure Yet there seems to be a void. Finished. Yet some things you avoid. Closure You’ve passed on the torch No worries You’re rocking on the … [Read more...]

The Relationship of the OT to the NT according to John Chrysostom (This is a post from 2007 back by popular demand). Reflecting on texts like Hebrews 10.1 "the Law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming-- not the image/portrait (eikon)/ realities themselves" John Chrysostom (which means golden mouth), the greatest preacher and teacher of the Greek-speaking Fathers who commented on the NT in detail (mainly in Antioch and Constantinople--349-407 A.D.) has some interesting … [Read more...]

I intend soon enough to do a full review of Peter Leithart's interesting book Defending Constantine but for now,  I want to focus on one aspect of his approach to religious matters that deserves closer attention.  When Constantine had gained power, beyond his military command,  he and Licinius  issued a proclamation now called the Edict of Milan.  This was an important edict of what we would call religious tolerance, and it set in motion a situation in which there would be no more … [Read more...]

Paul Doherty is nothing if not a prolific novelist.  I honestly can't keep up with all the different novels and series he keeps writing under the names of P.C. Doherty or Paul Doherty.   How exactly he is doing this whilst still a middle school teacher is also a mystery.  And speaking of a mystery his latest one called  The Mysterium (out in October 2010 in the U.K.)  is a fine addition, the 17th, to his series which features super sleuth and medieval clerk to King Edward   Hugh … [Read more...]

I had just gotten off the bus in a tiny coal mining village in County Durham England, when I saw the Methodist Chapel steward running down the hill to meet me.   It was Easter Sunday and I was scheduled to preach in that little chapel.   The steward came up to me, somewhat breathless and said,  “I’m ever so sorry but Mr. Witherington  I need to ask you a question.”    I said “Shoot”  and he replied “No nothing so drastic as shooting, just a question.”    I said “Go … [Read more...]

In the final chapter of this book  (pp. 319-55),  the Pope discusses the titles of  Christ.  Immediately he makes an interesting observation--- that the title Christ became a name very quickly, and this was appropriate since Jesus and his office or tasks were inseparable.  In others words, he wouldn’t have been who he was if he had not done what he did.  Doing and being were deeply intertwined in Jesus.   For example,  had he not died on the cross, he would not have been the Savior of … [Read more...]

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Here is an excerpt of President Obama's  Easter Prayer Breakfast message----- To all the faith leaders and the distinguished guests that are here today, welcome to our second annual -- I’m going to make it annual, why not?  (Laughter and applause.)  Our second Easter Prayer Breakfast.  The Easter Egg Roll, that’s well established.  (Laughter.)  The Prayer Breakfast we started last year, in part because it gave me a good excuse to bring together people who have been such … [Read more...]