Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
PHall | July 30, 2012
Shockingly, at least to our modern theological ears, the most works-oriented discourse in the Bible, whether Old or New Testament is…the Sermon on the Mount. Maybe equally shocking is that the word “grace” is never uttered; yet Jesus commands the ultimate call to be perfect as His Father is perfect (5:48). Is Jesus the Uber-Pharisee?
PHall | June 29, 2012
“I believe people are saved, not by objective truth but by Jesus.” “I don’t believe making disciples must equal making adherents to the Christian religion. It may be advisable in many (not all!) circumstances to help people become followers of Jesus and remain with their Buddhist, Hindu, or Jewish contexts….” (Blue Like Jazz) – a […]
PHall | June 2, 2012
A troubled heart is a dangerous heart. It leads to questioning answers already given, and doubting what is already known. There is nothing wrong with asking questions and experiencing doubt if they lead to a greater search for truth. But recognizing the danger keeps the search from becoming vain if it happens at all. In […]
PHall | May 27, 2012
Commonly, religious people claim America needs to get back to God. They distance themselves from the morally irresponsible who distance themselves from God’s moralities. They worry as the irreligious and anti-religious wreak havoc upon our country and ethical sensibilities. Yet, ironically societal irresponsibility begins with false religion and its false doctrines unknowingly and innocently promoting […]
PHall | May 17, 2012
Luke 1:31-35 – (31) “Blah blah blah blah.” (32) “Blah blah blah blah.” (33) “Blah blah blah blah.” (34) “Blah blah blah blah.” (35) “Blah blah blah blah.” That is not exactly what you expected, is it? That inane introduction has two instructive purposes. First, it suggests that we can be so familiar with a […]
PHall | April 26, 2012
I grew up in an atmosphere that focused more on what churches cannot do, than on what a church can do, should be doing, must be busy doing, and actually did. James 1:27 was not preached on except on how not to apply it. Speaking analogously, gardens are never planted by only pulling weeds. Negatively […]
PHall | April 21, 2012
There is a recurring theme found within the history of the Southern Kingdom of Judah; that is, the temple became the personal bank account of the king. Time and again, when threatened by outside armies, the king robs the temple of its gold and silver. This is done to bribe the invading king, or to […]
PHall | April 14, 2012
It is easy to hold in contempt those who hold you in contempt. It is easy to disregard those disregarding you. It is easy to gossip about those gossiping about you. It is easy to ignore those ignoring you. It is easy spite those who spite you. It is easy get angry at those angry […]
PHall | March 24, 2012
Have you ever heard or read something that became a life-guiding principle? When I was little, my mother said about a preacher who became an agnostic – “He studied himself out of the Bible.” Simple faith got replaced by educated “explain-aways.” Maybe that is one reason I accept Occam’s Razor in interpreting the Bible – […]
PHall | March 19, 2012
Pride in knowledge is one of the most silly and subtle temptations in which Satan snares us. Silly because of what true knowledge is. Subtle because God commands and blesses knowledge. Superiority knowledge should never lead to superiority in attitude. Let’s begin with the most basic form of knowledge: 1+1=2. Upon learning that, each child […]