Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
PHall | October 12, 2023
Some Preachers Two Christians were talking about a preacher they recently heard. One said, “That’s some preacher, alright”. What kinds of “some preachers” are there? Some preachers only teach what is comfortable. They are earning a paycheck. • 2 Timothy 2:3 (CSB) For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but […]
PHall | May 3, 2023
When considering if men are qualified to be shepherds, ask, “Do they live by the Beatitudes and Fruit of the Spirit?” If not, they do not have the right character to be chosen. When considering if we are qualified to decide who can be shepherds, ask, “Do we live by the Beatitudes and Fruit of […]
PHall | May 3, 2023
1 Timothy 2:8 (CSB) “Therefore, I want men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument.” Why “without anger or argument”? Were the Ephesian men being corrected for some local problems within their spiritual family? Problem is though, Paul does not seem here to be correcting wannabe teachers (1:3,4,7) […]
PHall | May 3, 2023
The first letter to Timothy is filled with summations of the gospel in either scripture, saying, or song. I’ve challenged my thinking on how to find small, memorable, ways of saying this very big gospel. Traditionally many have summed up our response to the gospel in 5 words – Hear, Believe, Repent, Confess, Baptism. […]
PHall | May 3, 2023
If you closely examine 1 Timothy, there is a wonderful secret to solving issues and problems. This book revolves around these topics: Warning (ch.1), Worship (ch.2-3), Wisdom (ch.4), Widows (ch.5), and Wealth (ch.6). Interspersed throughout is this secret. What is the secret? Paul keeps including snippets and summations found in new “scripture”, sayings, and songs […]
PHall | February 20, 2023
Chiasm – 1 Timothy 1:12-17 A – PAUL GIVES THANKS: I give thanks B – LORD: “I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord who has strengthened me, C – PAUL APPOINTED TO MINISTRY: because he considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry — D – PAUL A SINNER: even though I […]
PHall | February 10, 2023
Why Elders Are to be Husbands Why are shepherds within congregations to be husbands? According to Strauch in Biblical Eldership, the responsibilities of elders are fourfold: 1. Protect 2. Lead 3. Feed 4. Care I agree and see this expanding into a different area that will loop back towards shepherds. Husbands have these same 4 […]
PHall | February 10, 2023
Age of Elders In a paper called, “Elders in Context”, the writer examines “elders” throughout Jewish and Israel’s history. It is interesting how culture changes perceptions, even of an enduring position. Consider this quote: Concerning judges in the Quram community, “…in the Book of Meditation (no one is sure what this was) and, significantly, basic […]
PHall | February 7, 2023
“Able to Teach” (1 Timothy 3:2) “Able to teach” (1 Tim.3:2) gets too much of the wrong kind of attention. By that I mean we ask the wrong questions: 1. Is he able to preach sermons? 2. Is he skilled in organizing material? 3. Is he able to teach and preach both publicly and privately? […]
PHall | February 7, 2023
Can Women Be Elders? When discussing leadership within a church, an argument making the rounds is, “‘Elders’ is a Jewish concept, so when Paul uses that patriarchal term, he is not showing a pattern for churches today. That’s why women can be elders” (a paraphrase and not an exact quote). Considering there are cultural elements […]