Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
PHall | May 31, 2019
The phrase “the law of liberty” (James 2:12) has always intrigued me, possibly because of being unsure what it meant. Contextually it is connected to several thoughts (James 2-13):1. The law of liberty is chiastically connected to “the royal law”.2. The royal law is the 2nd Great Command. 3. Emphasis on “royal” shows this humanly focused […]
PHall | May 31, 2019
Can we have faith without works? That’s the apparent and common understanding of what James is saying in James 2. But could James be using sarcasm to show that if you actually say you have faith but works, you actually do not even have faith? Notice the language James uses and does not use:• James […]
PHall | March 29, 2019
Have you ever asked someone for their advice, and they put you down? That’s one reason we are hesitant. May we all become more like God. Notice his response: “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing…” (James 1:5). And may we always be […]
PHall | January 8, 2019
James 5:19-20: “My brothers, if any among you strays from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his life from death and cover a multitude of sins” (HCSB).Whether James had the following in mind, I don’t know; but his […]
PHall | August 21, 2018
James poetically writes and warns, “life is a vapor” (4:14). Every older person laments this truth they have too quickly lived. Children learn this because, while when young it takes forever for Christmas to come, it starts to come faster every year. Evidence of time passing quickly is seen in everyday life. In 8 short […]
PHall | July 9, 2018
Many preachers proclaim “faith only” saves because “works cannot save”. To test that theory, let’s substitute other words to see if that holds true according to the Bible. Can we “hear only” but not respond to what we hear and be saved? Read Romans 10. Can we repent only? “Repent” literally means “change one’s mind.” […]
PHall | June 17, 2018
A type of damning legalism is…. Before I define this, let me add this caveat: In Romans Paul does not equate “obedience” with “works.” As always, we must let the user define his own words. “Obedience” in Romans is often tied to faith (i.e., “the obedience of faith” – 1:5; 16:26). Paul, however, is not […]
PHall | May 31, 2018
Allow me to mash together two passages from two different writers to make hopefully a poignant point. The first: HCSB 1 Peter 5:8: “Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.” The second: HCSB James 4:7: “Therefore, submit to God. But resist […]
PHall | April 29, 2018
God tells us what is pure and undefiled religion: James 1:27 – Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world. The question needing asking is, “Why are these criteria pure and undefiled religion?” I would […]
PHall | October 22, 2016
Faith in James: Is tested (1:3); prays without doubting (1:6); poor chosen to be rich in (2:5); can claim it but not have a one that saves (2:14); must have works to be alive (2:17); is seen by works (2:18); without works is useless (2:20); perfected by works (2:22); is credited to us as righteousness […]