Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
PHall | August 14, 2010
All of a sudden, almost without warning, the church had a problem on its hands. It is new and difficult, and one they never had to deal with before, let alone even think much about it. And trust me, thinking hurts! Especially is this true when it is challenging our religious views. Binding what God […]
PHall | August 1, 2010
The judge reads the verdict – “Guilty.” The defendant has moved from defending himself to being judged un-defendable. Heads hang, tears are cried, anger soars, despair sets in. On the Day of Pentecost, the judge through Peter declares – “Guilty.” After condemning the blameworthy, the condemned do not react in despair or anger. Unlike the […]
PHall | August 1, 2010
Tradition says it is the Acts of the Apostles. Yet, most are ignored. It is mainly Peter then Paul, with Paul not one of the original twelve. Why the silence? Why doesn’t inspiration inform of us what Matthew and Matthias did? And then there are non-apostles such as Stephen and Philip who are given much […]
PHall | July 25, 2010
Detained by the authorities from the Bureau of Religious Affairs. Interrogated by the same. Warned that if what occurred in 2008 happens again, the warning will turn into something not so kind. Six officials from the Communist regime of China sitting in front, behind and to the side, all are speaking Chinese. None of us […]
PHall | July 23, 2010
Fascination soars and interest deepens when people hear about “the lost books” of the Bible. Add to that secret codes for unlocking hidden messages and all of a sudden, the Bible is once again interesting to the dull of hearing. “For over two thousand years the church has tried to hide from humanity the spiritually […]
PHall | June 30, 2010
If we were to write a history of our home church, or of Christianity in our area, what would it look like? That would be determined by why the history is being written. Purpose decides which facts are included and excluded. Seldom if ever is history written to simply record facts – even the simple […]
PHall | March 22, 2010
“If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans” (Woody Allen). “Man makes plans . . . and God laughs” (Michael Chabon). “We plan, God laughs” (old Yiddish proverb). Even the Bible asserts such similar belief – Psalm 33:10 HCSB – He thwarts the plans of the peoples. That such is said […]
PHall | March 13, 2010
This study is about finding grace in the most unexpected places. This lesson is about being surprised by grace. And maybe the biggest surprise of all, is that we can still be surprised. Our God is a God of grace and that means He is a God of surprises. The biggest surprise of all came […]
PHall | February 26, 2010
The “Christian” religious world is divided. The “Christian” religious world is united. No, that is not a contradiction, but rather a contradistinction. There is no denying that churches across the spiritual spectrum disagree on a host of important, indispensable and defining issues; yet if we truly want to fulfill Jesus’ prayer of unity (John 17), […]
PHall | February 25, 2010
What is the most dangerous aspect of being an American Christian? Warning! This might be a trick question! But I’ll be nice and give you a hint. The trick is discovered by asking what is unique to being an American, not what is unique to being a Christian.