PHall | February 20, 2012
The book of Job forces us to deal with suffering of a different kind – the uncomfortable and confusing reality when personal troubles and traditional theologies clash. Reacting when experience contradicts what we believe can lead to sin or correction. Job’s friends refuse to doubt their interpretation of divine retributive justice of punishment and reward. [...]
Category: Job |
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PHall | February 20, 2012
The book of Job is an artistic expression of the least artistic experiences within man – pain, suffering and doubt. As individuals are either done in by suffering, or finished unto perfection by its purging, this sapiential insight articulates the painful process. It is the finished product of pain. It begins with faithfulness, sinks into [...]
Category: Job |
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PHall | February 11, 2012
An interesting aspect of Esther is that it has connections to other Biblical stories, both of which are connected to Egypt. A method the Bible uses, both in the Old and the New Covenants, is retelling the same story with different characters. This does not mean any of the stories are fictional, but instead shows [...]
Category: Esther, Exodus, Genesis |
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PHall | February 11, 2012
Does God in His sovereignty cause people to sin to accomplish His purposes? Involved in this question are deep theological issues beyond our inadequate ability to completely fathom and understand. Providence, predestination, foreknowledge, and free will, are intricately woven within this complex issue. Let’s look at three Biblical situations, one guiding truth, ending with an [...]
Category: Acts, Exodus, Genesis, James |
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PHall | February 10, 2012
Esther 1:8 NASB The drinking was done according to the law, there was no compulsion, for so the king had given orders to each official of his household that he should do according to the desires of each person. Esther 1:8 HCSB and no restraint was placed on the drinking. The king had ordered every [...]
Category: Esther |
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Tags: Translations
PHall | January 21, 2012
The words no mother wants to hear are stammered and whispered by the doctor. The word “mother” is synonymous with selflessness. Most women would immediately and easily choose to give their life to spare their child if the doctor said, “I can only save one.” Many mothers sacrifice not their lives, but a relationship with [...]
Category: I Kings |
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Tags: Abortion, Adoption, Mothers, Parenting
PHall | January 6, 2012
The book of Ezra foretells and foreshadows the coming of Christ in a rather intriguing and interesting way – not by one person, but through the two returns and their two leaders. Both individuals, Zerubbabel and Ezra, together tell the story of Christ and His coming kingdom. Both returns are equally decreed by a King [...]
Category: Ezra |
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Tags: Introduction, Type-Antitype
PHall | December 11, 2011
Why was the book of Joshua written? Why is it included in the canon of acceptable books? The answers are hopefully far more interesting than the questions. The answers are not just a technical rehash but a theological reminder of God’s purposes, promises, and even procedures. And in reminding the readers, all can once again [...]
Category: Joshua |
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PHall | December 3, 2011
“Wonders from the Word” is about little bits of wonderment found within Scriptures. Treasures that are wonderful or questions that make us wonder in amazement. Sometimes I wonder, and I just wonder, if what I am seeing is really there, just a coincidence, or purposely placed to make a point. For example, the fall of [...]
Category: Genesis, Mark |
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PHall | November 26, 2011
When reading the period of the Judges and Kings, one sad fact overwhelmingly – and even numbingly – is present: the draw of idolatry. It is easy for us to isolate the sensuality involved in fertility cults and wholly blame that as the sole cause. After all, we are good Christians who are not overtly affected by [...]
Category: I Chronicles, I Kings, II Chronicles, II Kings, Judges |
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