Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
PHall | August 22, 2018
Jesus’ ancestry was defiled by sinners guilty of incest, prostitution, adultery (or possibly rape), and even the “sin” of being a different race (Matthew 1). To make matters worse, his birth was witnessed by ceremonially unclean shepherds (Luke 2). Jesus’ life was spent being surrounded by outcasts such as tax collectors, prostitutes (Luke 15), and […]
PHall | August 21, 2018
He smiled as he asked his question thinking I was trapped. “If I had a million dollars that I got illegally but couldn’t return it because I didn’t steal money but provided a service, would you recommend the church keeping the money if I gave it?” Actually that wasn’t his question but I knew his […]
PHall | August 13, 2018
The very first recorded statement of Jesus was not understood. The story is when Jesus was gone for three days (foreshadowing another time). He stayed in Jerusalem after his parents left to go home (the opposite of what would happen in another time). When they found him, he was astonishing the teachers (foreshadowing many times). […]
PHall | August 11, 2018
The Rich Young Ruler is a safe; non-threatening example for us since we don’t have to sell everything…or is it? In close proximity, Luke records Jesus telling him to sell everything to give the money to the poor (Luke 18), while Jesus is satisfied with Zaccheus’ offer to give ONLY half away (Luke 19). So […]
PHall | August 8, 2018
Luke wrote both Acts and the gospel account given his name. In reading today I was struck with so many similarities between Luke 1 and Acts 1-2. In both: 1) the Holy Spirit is active; 2) forgiveness of sins is emphasized; 3) the throne of David is mentioned; 4) but this last one is what […]
PHall | August 8, 2018
Jesus was a radical; but not in the way some radicals want. Jesus has been called a liberal; but again not liberal in their liberal ways. Want an example? Jesus valued women, their intellect, and their place in the kingdom as equal (i.e. worth) to men. He believed in educating them spiritually when culture looked […]
PHall | August 3, 2018
I received gospel today. That sounds like bad grammar so let me rephrase it. I received spiritually good news today. Gospel means good news. Two friends found the faith they once had and returned to Jesus. (I hope they are seeing this). He who ate with tax collectors and sinners (Luke 15:1-2) justified his actions […]
PHall | June 16, 2018
“You can’t obey good news” says the argument. This despite the Bible using the phrase “did not obey the gospel” (Romans 10:16; 2 Thessalonians 1:8; 1 Peter 4:17). People argue “obey doesn’t mean obey”. This is called semantics where people change the definitions to fit their argument. So let’s look outside the religious box. The […]
PHall | June 16, 2018
“After he left the synagogue, he entered Simon’s house. Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked him about her. So he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and began to serve them” (CSB’17 Luke 4:38-39). “Typical male,” a wife said. “Jesus only […]
PHall | June 16, 2018
Jesus ate with “tax collectors and sinners” (Luke 15:2). Jesus ate with the religious folk of His day, the Pharisees (Luke 7:36). Bad exegesis says, “Wow, Jesus loved to eat!” Good exegesis says, “Wow, Jesus loves everyone!” That’s one key to getting people to listen. How are we doing on that? Recently the Supreme Court […]