Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
PHall | October 25, 2012
By grace, the original curses become the fresh blessings and then more wondrous than physically imaginable. What is happening in Genesis 12 when God makes promises to Abraham in this new beginning? Do the curses of Genesis 3 and the blessings of Genesis 12 have anything in common? Often the curses are divided into three […]
PHall | October 3, 2012
The tongue speaking in Acts 2: (1) Gains attention (2:5-7); (2) Amazes people (2:7); (3) Equates all people (2:6-11; 2:17-8); (4) Brings glory to God (2:11,19); (5) Fulfills prophecy (Acts 2:16); and (6) Leads to salvation (2:21,38). That is the purpose of plain, non-miraculous, Bible preaching today: (1) To preach we must gain people’s attention […]
PHall | October 1, 2012
“He makes me lie down in green pastures (23:2).” Phillip Keller comments that it is almost impossible to make sheep lie down until four requirements are met: [1] free from fear, [2] free from tension with other sheep (often caused from bossy – “butting order”), [3] free from aggravation from flies or parasites, and [4] […]
PHall | October 1, 2012
In Acts 20:7 when Luke discusses Paul speaking, the Greek is dialegomai suggesting Paul’s “preaching” (KJV) is more like our “teaching.” We can learn the meaning of a word both through its denotative and connotative definitions. First, look up dialegomai in a lexicon and it is denotatively defined as “to say thoroughly” (Mickelson) and “1. to […]
PHall | October 1, 2012
Among believers this Psalm is most often used in funerals, which is a tragic loss. While capable of consoling at a time of personal loss, this Hebrew poem is not about death – it is about life; about one who lives and thrives through relationships, peace, gratitude, contentment, confidence, and security. The relationship is between […]
PHall | September 8, 2012
“True” Christianity – and it is a shame I have to qualify it, but James qualified “pure and undefiled religion” (James 1:27) – “true” Christianity is the answer. The questions are more numerous than the single answer. Two of those questions are, “How to bring about social justice?” and “How to bring about economic justice?” […]
PHall | September 1, 2012
Humans live a non-divine form of “incarnation.” Jesus came to this existence to live as we do, dual beings, flesh and spirit – “God with us.” Just the name Immanuel, “God with us” suggests a partnership in duality. Our spirits are embodied in flesh (the meaning of incarnate); both claiming ownership as “I” as God […]
PHall | August 19, 2012
Do you know who believes in salvation by works more than anyone else? You might be surprised. Within Christianity there has been a perpetual discussion and disagreement on the place of works and obedience. Protestants condemn Catholics for their “Hail Marys” and Evangelicals are split between those affirming and decrying “Lordship Salvation.” But I have […]
PHall | August 12, 2012
To judge what God has judged is not supplanting self for God, but submitting self to God. When we fail to teach the specific truths God has revealed, we are supplanting self for God by declaring God’s revelation is too obscure to be understood. When we take the general statements God has revealed and make […]
PHall | August 5, 2012
Much like Lot is maligned for choosing the land of Sodom, although Scripture only speaks highly of him (2 Peter 2:7-8); those Jewish exiles who chose not to return after Cyrus’ decree are viewed askew, as less holy than the returnees. In staying behind, how could they be as righteous as those who went? However, […]