From the March Archives
(avg. read time: 3–6 mins.)
J. R. R. Tolkien’s Philosophy of History
Tolkien’s philosophy of history is often described simplistically as “pessimistic.” His fiction is also distorted to support this simplistic perspective. It is more accurate to say that Tolkien’s philosophy of history is shaped by his Christian eschatology. I review his letters pertinent to this subject and respond to a video by Wisecrack that misunderstands and misappropriates multiple points of his work to this effect.
Resurrection in the OT, Part 7: Hosea 6:1–3 and 13:14
Resurrection in the OT, Part 8: Ezekiel 37:1–14
Resurrection in the OT, Part 9: Isaiah 53:7–12
Resurrection in the OT, Part 10: Isaiah 25:8 and 26:14, 19
Resurrection in the OT, Part 11: Daniel 12:1–3, 13
These are the final five parts of my series on resurrection in the OT. The last part draws from the chapter of my dissertation on Dan 12. If my volume on resurrection in the Synoptic Gospels ever materializes, I will update and expand these as part of the context for understanding resurrection.
Why Did Tolkien Dislike The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe?
Amazingly, this has been by far my most popular post (over 700 views and counting). I don’t know if it will ever be surpassed in that regard.
Exodus, Part 1: Anticipation, Actualization, and Aftermath
Exodus, Part 2: The Original Exodus Outside of the Torah
Exodus, Part 3: The Exodus in Post-biblical Second Temple Judaism
In this series, I review the many references to the exodus in the OT and beyond through the end of the Second Temple era, as well as what they can tell us about the theological import of that event.
What Is the Deal with Easter? Introduction
This series is adapted from my most popular post on my academia.edu page. It deals with matters about Easter’s timing and how it developed, where the names for Easter came from, and the significance of its prominent symbols of the eggs and the rabbit (or associated animal). In the process of this series, I do my share of myth-busting.
Combined Allusions to Dan 7 and Ps 110 in the NT
Both Dan 7 and Ps 110 are among the most influential and alluded texts from the OT for the NT. But here, I am concerned with instances where the texts are alluded to at the same time.
Resurrection Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels
A lot of people call these “resuscitations” because they insist on being wrong. In all seriousness, I review various interesting features of times when Jesus raises the dead as recorded in the Synoptic Gospels, as well as the matter of why we might as well call them “temporary resurrections” rather than “resuscitations,” as is the wont of some.
The General Resurrection in Matthew’s Resurrection Theology (paid subscriber exclusive)
The Resurrection and the Risen One: Matthew’s Theology of Resurrection in the Context of Second Temple Resurrection Belief (paid subscriber exclusive)
Both of these exclusive posts feature previews of the sort of material I want to cover in my planned volume on resurrection in the Synoptic Gospels. One focuses on the references to the general resurrection and associated ideas (and so I treat the resurrection of the saints from Matt 27 here). The other focuses on the links of Jesus’s resurrection with the general resurrection, all in the context of comparing Matthew’s theology of resurrection with themes of resurrection in Second Temple Jewish texts.
Resurrection in Mark (paid subscriber exclusive)
This is also an exclusive for how it previews what I plan to address in my work on Mark (besides the text-critical issues for Mark 16, which I address elsewhere).
Review of The Philosophy of Tolkien
This is a review of an older book by Peter Kreeft. It is a book that I recommend, especially for its treatment of the subject of providence and for how it is written by one who often shares Tolkien’s beliefs on many subjects. I do have some points to criticize, however.
The Olivet Discourse in Mark 13
This is a continuation of a series I noted in the previous installment of this archives series.
Mark 16: How Should It Have Ended?
This is a review of the text-critical issues raised by the ending of Mark. Against most others who write on this subject in the modern era, I argue that Mark 16:9–20 is the authentic ending and that the points cited against it are overblown.
The Parable of the Unjust Steward: What Is Going on Here?
This is based on parables research I did in my seminary days on this rather curious parable from Luke 16.
The Olivet Discourse in Luke 21
Watch Therefore: What Does Jesus Want Us to Watch For?
Jesus’s instructions about vigilance in the Olivet Discourse and elsewhere have often been mistaken as instructions to watch for “signs.” Instead, I argue that the texts show that they are about vigilance in conduct and obedience as we wait upon the Lord.
Review of The Good News of the Return of the King
When I saw that this book combined a secondary research interest of mine on Tolkien, as well as studies about parables (which I have a not insignificant background in), I was intrigued by the idea of this book. Unfortunately, the actual correlations with parable studies and the interpretations of Tolkien’s texts left me frustratingly disappointed with this book. The result is one of my longest book reviews.
The Promise to Participate in Judgment: Matt 19:28 and Luke 22:28–30
Second Temple Judaism Context, Part 3: The Hasmonean Period
Biblical and Theological Commentary on The Lord of the Rings, Part 3: Book III (paid subscriber exclusive)
Second Temple Judaism Context, Part 4: The Roman Period
The Pericope Adulterae: To Include or Not to Include John 7:53–8:11
Alongside Mark 16:9–20, the other extensive text often treated as an inauthentic part of its Gospel is John 7:53–8:11. As with Mark 16, I review the text’s text-critical issues here and argue that it belongs precisely where Bibles feature it today.
Union with Christ in Hebrews 2–5: An Exploration of “Narrative Christological Solidarity” (paid subscriber exclusive)
This is a pre-publication copy of my latest article for Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society.
Response to Peter Head’s Case Against Mark 16:9–20
To read cases against the authenticity of Mark 16:9–20 is often to engage in monotonous repetition. Scholars make the same unconvincing points again and again. Peter Head at least takes the case in its favor seriously enough that he offers a more interesting response than a recital of the same tropes. I still find it unconvincing for reasons I lay out here.
Biblical and Theological Commentary on The Lord of the Rings, Part 4: Book IV (paid subscriber exclusive)
This is part of a series of posts on the Apocrypha. They are not typical introductions as such. They provide orientation points by two means. One, I provide an overview of the contents, including major themes. Two, I note links between this text and the texts of the Old and New Testaments.