Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
PHall | January 7, 2016
The Ten Commandments warn, “Do not take the Lord’s name in vain” (Ex.20:7). Jesus reasoned in the model prayer, “Holy is your name” (Mt.6:9). Paul writes, “The name of God is blasphemed…because of you” (Rom.2:24). This goes far beyond but includes how we speak: 1) Do we promise something in God’s name and renege? 2) […]
PHall | October 1, 2015
Jesus is a biological descendant of Terah, Abraham’s father. But Matthew does not go back to Terah; he starts with Abraham. The reason is Jesus is not a theological, spiritual, and covenant descendant of Terah, an idol worshipper. The covenant line begins with Abraham. Even those of us not biologically related to Terah and Abraham […]
PHall | September 23, 2015
If we could understand just one thing perfectly which would explain everything else, that one thing would be God. So when studying any part of the Bible, look for who and what God is. The devil is not the details; the details are about the Divine. That is why Jesus could say, “I desire mercy […]
PHall | June 18, 2015
If I was one of the Twelve, I wonder if I would have been included as part of the inner three. If not, I wonder how I would have handled the exclusion. Too many I fear would have quit, thinking “What makes Peter, James, and John so special?” This is asking, “Why not me?” or […]
PHall | February 2, 2015
I am a sinner; I am not a sinner. I am unworthy; I am worthy. My works are unrighteous; my works are righteous. What’s the difference? Notice the Messianic prophecy, “Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah” (Micah 5:2). Now notice the Messianic fulfillment, “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, […]
PHall | January 27, 2015
In “comparing” the violent passages in the Koran with the “violent” passages in the Bible, some will quote Jesus, “Don’t assume that I came to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Mt.10:34 HCSB). Problem is, Jesus is not the one wielding the sword. Jesus’ disciples are […]
PHall | January 15, 2015
The master teacher Jesus chose the dialectic method of stories, commonly called parables. Why did Jesus choose this medium? Maybe because He was a living parable, quaintly defined as “an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.” Isn’t that exactly what Jesus was…an living, breathing, suffering and dying, earthly story with a heavenly meaning?
PHall | December 4, 2014
We have all heard the claim “Jesus never said anything about homosexuality,” and “Homosexuals are born that way.” Hmmm, if we accept the latter just for the sake of argument, then could Jesus have said something about that? “For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb, there are eunuchs who […]
PHall | December 2, 2014
Denominations exist often out of the sincerity of the founders for some important truth. This truth becomes the identifying marker for that denomination. For example, the Presbyterians emphasized a form of congregational government based upon presbyters. Baptists emphasized a form of “baptizing” that was immersion because baptism meant immersion. Pentecostals emphasized miraculous activities. So do […]
PHall | November 21, 2014
Matthew 26:6-13 – Just because a religious act is good, does not make it right. While in Simon’s house, a woman approached Jesus and anointed Him with an alabaster jar of very expensive fragrant oil. When the disciples saw it, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they ask. “This might have been sold for a […]