Homosexuality and Civilization

Last updated on: September 6, 2017 at 11:44 pm By Peter Leithart

Christians have sometimes suggested that homosexual practice is universally condemned. In Homosexuality and Civilization , Louis Crompton, Emeritus Professor of English at the University of Nebraska and a longtime gay activist, shows that homosexuality was common and accepted in various forms in ancient Greece and Rome, as well as in China and Japan prior to the modern period. This is not an “every creative person was secretly homosexual” kind of book. Crompton is careful with his evidence, and he challenges... Read more

Ironies of Jesus’ Trial

Last updated on: March 27, 2004 at 5:31 pm By Peter Leithart

Some thoughts inspired by Joel Green’s commentary on Luke 22-23: Luke stuffs his account of Jesus’ trials with understated ironies. The soldiers mock Jesus’ prophetic claims by blindfolding and beating Him; but this is just what Jesus said was going to happen to Him. Jesus tells the Jewish leaders that they won’t believe He’s the Christ even if he tells them, and when He tells them ?Esurprise! ?Ethey don’t believe Him. They hear Jesus condemn Himself from His own mouth;... Read more

Ironies of Jesus’ Trial

Last updated on: September 6, 2017 at 11:45 pm By Peter Leithart

Good Poems

Last updated on: September 6, 2017 at 11:43 pm By Peter Leithart

Dana Gioia has a very sensible and positive review of Garrison Keillor’s Good Poems in the April 2004 issue of Poetry . Gioia admits that he at first reacted sniffily at the title and the editor of this anthology, but he says that over several months of reading the poetry he came to appreciate and approve of Keillor’s work. Keillor’s aesthetics could not be more different from that of the writing schools; instead of density, ambiguity, ambivalence, Keillor says that... Read more

The Passion, Yet Again

Last updated on: September 6, 2017 at 11:56 pm By Peter Leithart

Here are some slightly repetitive notes for a short talk I gave on The Passion on Friday, March 26. INTRODUCTION I want to discuss a single scene of The Passion , which will lead into both commendation for its strengths and criticisms of some of its weaknesses. The scene is the first scene in the Garden of Gethsemane. POSITIVES This scene goes beyond the biblical evidence in a couple of ways. First, Jesus is not only praying to His Father... Read more

Canzona of Beethoven’s A Minor Quartet, revisited

Last updated on: March 25, 2004 at 5:45 pm By Peter Leithart

a stately dance on a green lawn in the summer sun Read more

Canzona of Beethoven’s A Minor Quartet, revisited

Last updated on: September 6, 2017 at 10:48 pm By Peter Leithart

a stately dance on a green lawn in the summer sun Read more

NT Wright on Abraham’s Faith

Last updated on: March 25, 2004 at 5:40 pm By Peter Leithart

Here are a couple of critical observations on NT Wright’s understanding of Abraham’s faith. I’m reflecting on Wright’s Romans commentary, and I offer these criticisms (to say it yet again) as one who thinks that much of what Wright writes is right. 1) Wright’s conception of faith as a “badge” has always seemed a bit odd to me. But it becomes more odd when he discusses the relationship between circumcision and Abraham’s faith, and draws out the analogy between baptism... Read more

NT Wright on Abraham’s Faith

Last updated on: September 7, 2017 at 12:09 am By Peter Leithart

Sermon Outline, March 28

Last updated on: September 7, 2017 at 12:01 am By Peter Leithart

Jesus on Trial, Luke 22:63?E3:25 INTRODUCTION Jesus?Etrial takes place in four stages: He is first brought before the Jewish Sanhedrin, who send Him to the Roman governor Pilate, who sends Him to Herod, who sends Him back to Pilate for a final verdict and sentence. At each stage, Jesus is rejected, mocked, and beaten. Yet, throughout His trials, the courts find Him innocent (23:4, 14-15). He goes to His death as the spotless, innocent Passover Lamb, substituting for robbers and... Read more