Monthly Archives: May 2015

Sin, Welcome, and Exclusivism

Posted on May 31, 2015 by jamesbradfordpate

I went to the Methodist church this morning.  A member of the congregation spoke to us.  The pastor has been teaching a preaching class, in which people can join and preach a sample sermon, and the others in the group … Continue reading →

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II Chronicles 35

Posted on May 30, 2015 by jamesbradfordpate

II Chronicles 35 is about the Passover celebration under King Josiah of Judah, as well as Josiah’s death. I have five items. 1.  II Chronicles 35:3 states: “And [Josiah] said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy … Continue reading →

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Ramblings on Historical Connection

Posted on May 29, 2015 by jamesbradfordpate

I would like to follow up on my review of the book Theology as Retrieval, by W. David Buschart and Kent D. Eilers (see here).  This will be a rambling post.  If there is a central theme of this post, … Continue reading →

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Book Write-Up: Theology as Retrieval

Posted on May 28, 2015 by jamesbradfordpate

W. David Buschart and Kent D. Eilers.  Theology as Retrieval: Receiving the Past, Renewing the Church.  Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2015.  See here to buy the book. “Retrieval” occurs when Christians draw from the thoughts and practices of Christians from … Continue reading →

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Pagan Miracles and Pseudo-Philo

Posted on May 27, 2015 by jamesbradfordpate

Pseudo-Philo is a first century C.E. Jewish work that interprets and expands upon stories in the Hebrew Bible.  In Pseudo-Philo 25, we learn about luminescent Amorite stones in the Amorite sanctuaries that had the power to heal disease.  V 12 … Continue reading →

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Review: Scotland: A New History

Posted on May 27, 2015 by jamesbradfordpate

Originally posted on Bob on Books:
Scotland: A New History by Michael Lynch, London: Pimlico, 1992 Summary: This one volume work provides a comprehensive overview of the history of Scotland from the Roman invasions, through the kingdoms of the Picts,…

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Book Write-Up: C.S. Lewis, by Alister McGrath

Posted on May 25, 2015 by jamesbradfordpate

Alister McGrath.  Eccentric Genius.  Reluctant Prophet.  C.S. Lewis: A Life.  Carol Steam, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, 2013.  See here to buy the book. C.S. Lewis was a teacher at Oxford and Cambridge, a scholar of English literature, a Christian apologist, … Continue reading →

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Genesis 2 and Pentecost

Posted on May 24, 2015 by jamesbradfordpate

I attended the Methodist church again this morning.  I particularly enjoyed the sermon because the pastor referred to the Babylonian creation myth Enuma Elish, and also looked at the Hebrew of Genesis 2. The pastor was saying that she doubts … Continue reading →

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II Chronicles 34 (Rambling)

Posted on May 23, 2015 by jamesbradfordpate

II Chronicles 34 is about the reign of King Josiah of Judah.  The Chronicler considers Josiah to be a righteous king, as does II Kings 22.  II Chronicles 34 and II Kings 22-23 tell Josiah’s story differently, however. In II … Continue reading →

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Between Me and God

Posted on May 22, 2015 by jamesbradfordpate

I have been reading the first century Jewish work, Pseudo-Philo. In the biblical Book of I Samuel, Hannah is barren, and she mumbles before God at the sanctuary, asking God for a son.  Pseudo-Philo elaborates on this.  According to Pseudo-Philo, … Continue reading →

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