From the July Archives
(avg. read time: 4–8 mins.)
Foundations of Hope for Resurrection in Acts 2
This is a shortened version of my article that has been cited more than any of the others. Peter’s use of Ps 16 in his pentecostal speech has been a touchstone of debates about the use of the OT in the NT and thus about the continuity and discontinuity between the writings of the earliest Jesus followers and the sacred writings they claimed as their own. My contribution to this enormous debate is an analysis of the continuity and discontinuity between the foundations of hope—that is, the reasons to hope—that inform the statements of hope in these two texts. I examine the nature of hope and the foundations of hope (of which I identify three in Ps 16 and five in Acts 2) in each text in turn. I conclude that the nature of the continuities and discontinuities between the texts are fundamentally the result of the messianic and resurrection logic that characterizes many NT writings (including Luke–Acts), in which the discontinuity is at the service of the underlying continuity with the long-established story in which the NT authors and speakers place themselves.
Rejected Then Resurrected: Foundations of Hope for Salvation in Ps 118 and Acts 4:8–12 (paid subscriber exclusive)
This potential article was not ultimately accepted for publication, and the journals I sent it too took rather long to review it. Since I still want to incorporate it into my planned book on resurrection in Acts, I have made it an exclusive.
This is based on a final paper I had to do for my class on Christian Worship.
Calling the Witnesses: The Extent of Pre-Pauline Tradition in 1 Cor 15:3b–7 and the Analogy of Acts (paid subscriber exclusive)
This is one of my published articles with Restoration Quarterly. The amount of tradition Paul received that is reflected in 1 Cor 15:3b–7 has been the subject of debate. I support the minority position that all of the text (minus the obvious Pauline insertion of v. 6b referring those who are still alive while some have fallen asleep) represents this pre-Pauline tradition. I note the arguments for this position (as well as major and minor alternatives) regarding 1 Cor 15 itself. And I draw attention to the analogy of gospel proclamations in Acts that present the elements in this tradition, including references to those who have borne witness to the appearances of the risen Jesus.
Biblical and Theological Commentary on Tolkien’s Letters, Part 2: Letters #43–45 and #49
The Covenant-Making God and the Connections of Adam and Abraham
Another one of my more obscure posts provides some preliminary reflections on why God works through covenant, particularly in the case of Abraham to address the problems of Adam.
Orientation to Maccabean Literature
This was my proof of concept for the series of orientations on Second Temple Jewish literature I have written since then. This one treats 1, 2, 3, and 4 Maccabees, a real mixed bag of contents and genres, despite the titles.
OT Texts in the Gospel Triple Tradition
My first work of synoptic comparison on this site came as a result of satisfying a curiosity. I wanted to see what tendencies we might find in the Synoptics’ use of Scripture in parallel texts. What Scriptures are cited? Does one text cite Scripture significantly more often? Does one expand citations significantly more often? How often do they agree with the LXX? How often do they diverge from it? How often do they agree with each other against the LXX? How often do we see other differences besides? In my pursuit to answer all of these questions, the results proved interesting (at least to me).
Foundations of Eschatological Resurrection Belief and Paul’s Argument in 1 Cor 15:12–19 (paid subscriber exclusive)
This is my other published article with Restoration Quarterly and represents an adaptation of part of my dissertation on the text in question.
This begins a series that allowed me the chance to examine many references to the links made between God’s Lordship work as Judge, and expectations of him acting as Savior with the fact of God as Creator. That God is the Creator is the first thing we learn of him in Genesis and throughout the Bible and post-biblical tradition it would continue to be a basic affirmation of who God is. As such a basic fact affirmed in so many expressions of faith, it also has many theological links with these other affirmations to explore.
Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh, Power Being Made Complete in Weakness, and Paul’s Apostleship
This is an adapted form of an essay on Paul’s apostleship that I wrote for one of my comprehensive exams.
Resurrection and New Creation in the Framework of Galatians
Explicit references to resurrection and new creation only appear at the beginning and end of Galatians. But I suggest these appearances hold together other pieces of the theological framework of Galatians, allowing us to study the larger functions of resurrection and new creation in the letter.
Christ Lives in Me: Galatians 2:19–20 and Narrative Christological Solidarity
The indirect use of resurrection language here is part of a larger evocation of the gospel narrative. This narrative in turn shapes our union with Christ and one another. By “narrative christological solidarity,” I refer to the notion that the foundational connections and bonds (i.e., the solidarity) that community members share with one another and with their God is of a christological character, specifically because these connections and bonds are forged and maintained by the narrative of Jesus Christ and by participating in the same through faithful obedience. (Also see what is now published work here.)
Pneumatology and Social Categories in Galatians 3:28: A Guest Post by Matthew K. Robinson
Due to widespread scheduling issues, many plans I had for friends of mine to do guest posts here have needed to be abandoned. I do not know that this will ever not be the case, so I have since given up on trying to make long-term plans for such things in the future. But this is one of the rare exceptions where such an arrangement worked out. This post comes from a friend of mine who is currently in the land of Tolkien at Oxford.
Links Between The Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings, Part 7: Appendix A
Ephesians 1:1–14 Bible Study Notes
Ephesians 1:15–23 Bible Study Notes
Ephesians 4:1–24 Bible Study Notes
Ephesians 4:25–5:20 Bible Study Notes
Ephesians 5:21–6:9 Bible Study Notes
Ephesians 6:10–24 Bible Study Notes
This whole series consists of observations and notes more so than fully fleshed out ideas. Still, since I used something like this for a series of Bible studies I led on Ephesians, I share them here in the hopes that they will be helpful to others.
The Role We Were Born to Play: A Sermon on Eph 4:17–24
Links Between The Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings, Part 8: Appendices B–F
I am no longer as inclined as I once was to agree with prevailing scholarly opinion on the prevalent presence of counter-imperial messaging in the NT. A common defense for such counter-imperial readings of texts is an appeal to the notion of the “hidden transcript” derived from the late James C. Scott. In arguing against this appeal, I draw on the work of Laura Robinson, who I think has articulated the problem exceptionally well with a focus on Paul.
This is a preview of a chapter of my forthcoming book addressing Tolkien’s many statements on the subject of allegory and its relation to his work.
As part of my series on the Apostolic Fathers, I examine the complex theological functions of resurrection belief in the Epistle of Barnabas.
Evaluating Resurrection Harmonies, Part 4: Murray Harris’s Raised Immortal
This is the least substantial of the harmonizing works I examine in this series, particularly since this is not one of Harris’s major focuses in his book on resurrection and immortality in the NT. Still, it is worth considering, and the material framing it is particularly worth reading.
Biblical and Theological Commentary on the Old English Exodus
This out-of-print work by Tolkien provides a text, translation, and commentary for an Old English text setting the story of the exodus in the form of a heroic poem.
David and Goliath: A Biblical Adaptation Review
Behold, the worst movie I have reviewed among my adaptation reviews. It is bad enough that I did not even give it the fuller treatment customary for these reviews.
Good idea to post an annotated list of wide-ranging works