Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
PHall | November 15, 2013
“Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me” (Jn.15.4). How we interpret this verse says a lot about our relationship with Jesus. Is it a threat? Then we live a […]
PHall | November 9, 2013
Jesus is troubled (John 13:21) yet Jesus tells His apostles not to be troubled (14:1). Jesus is not a hypocrite. The truth is, we don’t need to be troubled, because Jesus became troubled for us. We can remain settled, because He became unsettled. We can remain calm because due to his being troubled, He sent […]
PHall | November 9, 2013
The gospel of John is written in an order mimicking the Tabernacle and Temple. That got me thinking about Jesus’ statement, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (Jn.14:6). Could there be a parallel statement about the Tabernacle or Temple? When Solomon is building the temple, Yahweh comes to Solomon and says, “As […]
PHall | November 5, 2013
1. Jesus served by loving, who specifically can you serve by loving? 2. Jesus served by doing, what is not being done that you can do? 3. Jesus served by doing something unexpected and not His responsibility; what can you do likewise? 4. Jesus served by being an example, what is something you have done […]
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
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 […]
PHall | October 26, 2013
Both happen “before” the Passover, but the first supper is six days before, and the second one right before the Passover (12:1; 13:1). Both take place at supper/dinner (12:2; 13:2). The disciples are there (12:4; 13:5). Martha was serving (12:2), but no one mentioned as serving. Men were reclining around the table (12:2; 13:23). Mary […]
PHall | October 25, 2013
If God has not instructed us how to worship, then it is up to us. But when you understand who “us” are then you begin to see the folly of that idea. Why would an omniscient God leave it up to sinful man to decide how to worship God? Even new creatures are being newly […]
PHall | September 27, 2013
In Acts 8:3, Paul “ravaged” the church. Some versions read, “destroyed.” The word lumainomai (used only here) is more than physical damage. It means to treat shamefully, to affix a stigma, to treat as unholy, to dishonor. Paul’s actions were holy in his eyes, unknowingly fulfilling the prophecy of John 16:2 (HCSB) “They will ban […]