Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
PHall | November 29, 2018
Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of beans. He came in from an unsuccessful hunting trip exhausted and famished. Upon asking Jacob for a bowl, the younger brother bargained Esau’s birthright (twice as much left to the one with the birthright) for lentils and bread. Esau rationalized his bad decision by exaggerating […]
PHall | November 29, 2018
God made Eve, “a helper corresponding to” (ezer neged) Adam. Both these words are controversial, but need not be. “Helper” is used of God (Deuteronomy 33:26,29); and therefore is not akin to a plumber’s helper who is not qualified to be a plumber. There is no hint of inferiority. “Corresponding to”, or “suitable” literally means, […]
PHall | November 28, 2018
Do you remember where Abraham went soon after he left Ur and came to Canaan?? He left “the promised land” to go to Egypt (Genesis 12). One must wonder if leaving pleased Yahweh. Decades later, Abraham needs a wife for Isaac. He commissions his household manager to return to Abraham’s homeland to secure a bride. […]
PHall | November 28, 2018
What was the purpose of the forbidden tree in Genesis 2-3? With the possibility of oversimplifying, no one can succeed unless they can likewise fail. God gave them a chance to succeed, to choose good. But, is there more to choosing good, than just choosing good? Ever hear, “The only command given to Adam (and […]
PHall | November 27, 2018
Sarah has died, and Abraham is looking for a worthy burial spot (Genesis 23). Ephron’s spot is chosen and he offers it for free. Abraham counteroffers to pay him. Ephron answered, “400 shekels of silver, what is that between you and me?” By sneaking in the price while offering it for free, Ephron tells Abraham […]
PHall | November 27, 2018
Ever think Paul, post-conversion, is esteemed as a (almost) sinless, superhuman? That is, did Paul always show, without fail, he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him? Ahh Paul, so much stronger than Peter and those other failing and flailing apostles. Maybe we shouldn’t be so quick to give Paul a perfection pass. […]
PHall | November 25, 2018
Two bumper stickers, same car, same color pattern, impossible meanings when taken together. One said, “Be the Church.” The other said, written in symbols, “COEXIST”: for the letter “c,” a crescent moon representing Islam is substituted. for the letter “o,” the peace symbol or pagan/Wiccan pentacle is substituted. for the letter “e,” a male/female symbol […]
PHall | November 24, 2018
For something so simple and plain, there is depth beyond human creativity. 1. Incarnation – The bread (body) and fruit of the vine (blood) show the frailty of the human body which encased the divine spirit of Jesus. 2. Resurrection – Sunday is more than convenient, it reinforces the day Jesus rose. 3. Unity/Ecclesiology – […]
PHall | November 24, 2018
At the beginning of the last week, on Sunday, Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a donkey. First century Jews, including Jesus’s own disciples, thought Jesus came to deal a blow to imperial Roman power. They failed to see the greater struggle; and by “greater” I mean more important and more powerful. On Thursday of the last […]
PHall | November 24, 2018
“Dear God…#2”. Genesis 21 begins with “The LORD came to Sarah AS HE HAD SAID, and the LORD did for Sarah, WHAT HE HAD PROMISED.” This is the beginning of the seed promise even though Sarah is 90 and Abraham 100. In between the birth of Isaac and Abraham’s’prayer “life” happens that is not pleasant. […]