Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
PHall | November 5, 2013
“I’ll pray for you,” so easy to say. Could it be an excuse to do nothing? “I’ll pray for you,” too many say. But is it a cold, empty statement hiding our hurt? “I’ll pray for you” but I won’t talk to you. “I’ll pray for you,” but don’t ask me to forgive you. “I’ll […]
PHall | November 1, 2013
Many modern translations try to capture the meaning of Jesus saying “amen” (or as in John, “amen, amen”). Some say “truly,” “I assure you,” “I tell you the truth,” “verily” and so on. I’ve always liked the simple “amen.” This might be the first time in history that I think ghetto slang has bettered all […]
PHall | November 1, 2013
PHall | November 1, 2013
Seeing David and Bathsheba as simply a story of adultery misses the lex taliones reprisals. Notice “I will take your wives and give them to another before your very eyes, and he will sleep with them publicly” (2Sam.12.16) and the fulfillment, “Sleep with your father’s concubines he left to take care of the palace. When […]
PHall | November 1, 2013
Compare the two halves of the narrative:• David sends for Bathsheba and abuses his power over her.• David sends for Uriah and abuses his power over him.To have Bathsheba provoking David and willingly committing adultery destroys the symmetry and has David as the victim in the first half.
PHall | November 1, 2013
In studying David’s narrative with Bathsheba and Amnon, Tamar, and Absalom, I wonder if another sin of David is that he refused to give full forgiveness to Absalom like Yahweh had given to him. “He may return to his house, but he may not see my face” (2 Sm.14.24). This of course encourages Absalom’s rebellion. […]
PHall | November 1, 2013
The Greeks said, be wise, know yourself. The Romans said, be strong, discipline yourself. Religion says, be good, conform yourself. Hollywood says, be sensuous, enjoy yourself. Education says, be resourceful, expand yourself. Psychology says, be confident, assert yourself. Materialism says, be satisfied, please yourself. Pride says, be superior, promote yourself. Humanism says, be capable, believe […]
PHall | November 1, 2013
The foot-washing scene foreshadows the cross: Jesus removes His robe; and the Romans cast lots for His robe. Jesus washes feet of the apostles; and the Romans nail His feet to the cross. Jesus offers bread to Judas; and someone offers sour wine to Jesus. Jesus washes with water the feet of disciples; and Jesus […]