Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
PHall | July 14, 2012
If I were to write a book on the Sermon on the Mount, I thought of some “different” titles: • The Sermon on the Mount – Nothing New Here But Don’t Move Along • The Sermon on the Mount – What I Meant to Say Was…. • The Sermon on the Mount – How Many […]
PHall | July 14, 2012
Matthew 5:3 (NASB) “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 (HCSB – 2005) “Blessed are the poor in spirit, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Matthew 5:3 (HCSB – 2009) “The poor in spirit are blessed, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Matthew 5:3 (ESV) […]
PHall | July 13, 2012
(#1) Is not misunderstood, but is explained away because it is understood; (#2) Is not difficult to understand, but is difficult to live; (#3) Is not old or new law, but is the essence of God’s eternal law; (#4) Is not the righteousness of outward works, but is the righteous impetus of outward obedience; (#5) […]
PHall | July 10, 2012
It is the fear of death that perpetuates war. That is the paradoxical conclusion of Ted Peters (“Sin – Radical Evil in Soul and Society, chapter 2). Death is nonexistence. While the fear of dying is what makes us defend ourselves, how does that fit in with being the aggressor? War is begun due to […]
PHall | July 7, 2012
To judge what God has judged is not supplanting self for God, but submitting self to God. When we fail to teach the specific truths God has revealed, we are supplanting self for God as if God’s revelation is too obscure to be understood. When we take the general statements God has revealed and make […]
PHall | July 6, 2012
In a bible study Thursday, we considered how Paul in Romans 4 juxtaposes justification by faith with creation and resurrection. As my tongue twisted itself, I accidentally said, “juxtafication.” In hindsight, I prefer calling this “a synchronization of human language with divine action to form a previously unknown expression coherently and succinctly expressing a cogent […]
PHall | July 3, 2012
From baptism, to temptation From God’s delight, to the Devil’s snares. From the voice of God, to the voice of Satan. From the voice of Heaven, to the voice from Hell. From God declaring, “This is my beloved Son,” to Satan tempting, “If you are the Son of God.” From the Holy Spirit descending upon […]
PHall | June 29, 2012
“I believe people are saved, not by objective truth but by Jesus.” “I don’t believe making disciples must equal making adherents to the Christian religion. It may be advisable in many (not all!) circumstances to help people become followers of Jesus and remain with their Buddhist, Hindu, or Jewish contexts….” (Blue Like Jazz) – a […]
PHall | June 23, 2012
Janet and I have decided to adopt again. I would like to introduce you to our newest son, Sam. He is a shovel. More on Sam later. There are certain realities within the Bible that make our modern sensibilities uncomfortable or even offended. These “archaic” realities are either God-based or society-driven. “Wives be subject to […]
PHall | June 23, 2012
God created (1:1); God said (1:2); God saw (1:4); God separated (1:4); God called (1:5); God said (1:6); God made (1:7); God called (1:8); God said (1:9); God called (1:10); God saw (1:10); God said (1:11); God saw (1:12); God said (1:14); God made (1:16); God placed (1:17); God saw (1:18); God said (1:20); God […]