Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
PHall | February 20, 2023
Chiasm – 1 Timothy 1:12-17 A – PAUL GIVES THANKS: I give thanks B – LORD: “I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord who has strengthened me, C – PAUL APPOINTED TO MINISTRY: because he considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry — D – PAUL A SINNER: even though I […]
PHall | February 10, 2023
The Golden Rule Doesn’t Mean What We Think “Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (CSB’17 Matthew 7:12) I am horrible at buying gifts. Part of that inadequacy is me not paying enough attention to get to know others. […]
PHall | February 10, 2023
Why Elders Are to be Husbands Why are shepherds within congregations to be husbands? According to Strauch in Biblical Eldership, the responsibilities of elders are fourfold: 1. Protect 2. Lead 3. Feed 4. Care I agree and see this expanding into a different area that will loop back towards shepherds. Husbands have these same 4 […]
PHall | February 10, 2023
Age of Elders In a paper called, “Elders in Context”, the writer examines “elders” throughout Jewish and Israel’s history. It is interesting how culture changes perceptions, even of an enduring position. Consider this quote: Concerning judges in the Quram community, “…in the Book of Meditation (no one is sure what this was) and, significantly, basic […]
PHall | February 10, 2023
Was Jesus Including You in the Golden Rule? The answer to this question is a LOUD, “YOU BETCHA!” The way some act, they appear exempt or else they have a severe personality defect. Here’s what I mean…. 1. You would think some enjoy public pain and humiliation. They beam with glee when they “comfort the […]
PHall | February 7, 2023
A Second Golden Rule “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Matthew 7:12). This is a common phrasing of the Golden Rule. This is another way of phrasing the 2nd Great Command – “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). Both are expressions of the Law and Prophets. That means both […]
PHall | February 7, 2023
Don’t Be a Victim The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew5-7), in modern lingo, teaches these two counterculture concepts: 1. Suffering doesn’t make you a victim when you find your blessing from God and not circumstances. 2. Victimizing others doesn’t make you powerful when your victims refuse to get their dignity through your oppressive eyes. Check […]
PHall | February 7, 2023
Bummed About Bible Studies that Don’t End with Baptisms? That didn’t go as hoped. Entering the Bible study there was a possibility of 1-3 baptisms. Everything progressed well, and then fell apart (at least in my eyes). Instead of 1 or 2 or 3 burials with Christ, we left with none. However, there was a […]
PHall | February 7, 2023
“Able to Teach” (1 Timothy 3:2) “Able to teach” (1 Tim.3:2) gets too much of the wrong kind of attention. By that I mean we ask the wrong questions: 1. Is he able to preach sermons? 2. Is he skilled in organizing material? 3. Is he able to teach and preach both publicly and privately? […]
PHall | February 7, 2023
Can Women Be Elders? When discussing leadership within a church, an argument making the rounds is, “‘Elders’ is a Jewish concept, so when Paul uses that patriarchal term, he is not showing a pattern for churches today. That’s why women can be elders” (a paraphrase and not an exact quote). Considering there are cultural elements […]