PerryDox – BeJustAChristian

Biblical truth standing on its spiritual head to get our eternal attention.

Matthew 5:10-12 – A Christian in a Box?

| March 30, 2013

In the Jewish Museum in Berlin, Germany, there is display called, “A Jew in a Glass Box” where he answers questions for a generation far removed from the guilt of the Holocaust, and far removed from knowing any or many Jews, meaning they are strangely close to the desired Final Solution. Only 200,000 Jewish Germans […]

Matthew 8:23-27 – A Living Analogy of Discipleship

| March 15, 2013

Following Jesus is an important aspect of the story of Jesus calming the storm (Mt 8.23-27). Matthew places stories together that help to interpret each other, one setting up the other. Matthew uses a literary technique called a “catchword” to tie these themes. I sometimes refer to these as “power words.” A catchword is where […]

Luke 16:13; Matthew 6:24 – Chiasm

| February 19, 2013

Luke 16:13 (HCSB) A – No household slave can be the slave of two masters, B – since either he will hate one C – and love the other, C’ – or he will be devoted to one B’ – and despise the other. C’ – You can’t be slaves to both God and money.”

The Gospels – Which One Fits You?

| January 23, 2013

Matthew is for those with a degree in Literature with a minor in Creative Writing. Mark is for those with ADD and ADHD; or a degree in Physical Education. Luke is for those with a degree in Liberal Arts with an emphasis on history and human development. John is for those with a degree in […]

Mark 1:1; John 1:1

| January 23, 2013

The gospel of Mark is part of the Synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Luke, and Mark. But his introduction is more like John’s than his fellow synoptists. And yet within those similarities, there are great differences. Matthew and Luke, both include lengthy human genealogies and birth stories. Neither Mark nor John introduce such interests. John begins with […]

Matthew 7:12 – Golden Rule Hermeneutics

| January 22, 2013

If you are the parent, teacher, boss or organization leader, isn’t its aggravating when you tell someone how you want and need something done, but they decide you didn’t really mean what you said so they change or ignore it? Plus, in everyday life, isn’t it frustrating when someone says you said something when you never did? I am responsible for […]

Matthew 12 – How to Establish Authority

| January 5, 2013

Matthew 12 makes a good study in how to establish authority. Three essential truths found within the text is that authority is found within Scripture; that scripture must be applied for it to have any meaning; and that truth can be found, understood and applied. You have the inherent command of the Sabbath to keep […]

Matthew 16:23-24 – Get Behind Jesus or Get Behind Jesus

| January 3, 2013

There is an interesting play on words in Matthew 16:23-24. Peter denies Jesus’ upcoming death (i.e., the cross) and Jesus says, “Get behind (opisō) Me, Satan.” Then Jesus says “If anyone want to come with/after (opisō) Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross….” We either deny self and get behind Jesus supporting Him, or […]

Matthew 12: 1-8 – Chiasm

| December 30, 2012

A – 1. At that time Jesus passed through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick and eat some heads of grain. 2. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath! ” B – […]

Matthew 12 – The Example of David

| December 30, 2012

Reading this complicated text, one easily sees the reasoning behind the example of the Priests having to “work” on the Sabbath. It is the example of David (1 Samuel 21) that makes us scratch our heads. So the question is why? 1. Personal – Apparently the Pharisees approved of the example of David and it […]