Volume 8
Hospitality and Discipleship in Mark’s Gospel
The emphasis on discipleship in Mark’s gospel, particularly in its relationship to the cross, is well researched. Little has however been made of a parallel expression of discipleship through the extension of hospitality to Jesus. Yet, beginning with Mark 1:13 where angels table-served Jesus in the wilderness, several of His followers, including the disciples, also contribute to Jesus’ mission by extending Him hospitality.
Light on Matthew 11:7b from an Aramaic Reconstruction
In Matthew 11:7, Jesus asks the crowd a question concerning John the Baptist: what did you go out into the wilderness to see; a reed shaken by the wind? There is a depth to this question which has remained unexplored. Far from being a poetic image meant to convey something prosaic, this question probably alludes to an actual term of contempt used by the enemies of John.
Divine Wisdom versus Human Wisdom
This journal article undertakes an exegetical-theological analysis of 1 Corinthians 1:10–2:16 in order to distinguish between divine wisdom and human wisdom. It is maintained that human wisdom is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic in orientation.
Human Freedom and God’s Providence
How can we reconcile human freedom with God’s providence? The key, in my view, is bottom-up and top-down causality. These particular terms state that all events in the world are the result of some previous event, or events. Accordingly, all of reality is already in a sense predetermined or pre-existent and, therefore, nothing new can come into existence.
A Review of Marcus Borg, The Heart of Christianity
Marcus Borg, Hundere Distinguished Professor of Religion and Culture, an endowed chair at Oregon State University, is considered by many to be one of the most influential voices in what is referred to as Progressive Christianity, a movement founded in 1996 by a retired Episcopalian priest, James Adams, in Cambridge, MA.
A Review of William Young, The Shack
The Shack, one of the most popular and controversial Christian books of recent years, is the fictional work by first-time author William Young, which embodies lengthy conversations between the main character, a man named Mack, and three persons who represent a version of the Trinity. It is a national bestseller widely embraced by some churches and many professing Christians.
