Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
PHall | January 23, 2020
Congregations need elders. We need elders which is evident from discussions with people, and scriptural. Let’s ask two questions: I. How does one begin to desire this noble work (1 Timothy 3:1)? Here are three distinct, but noble reasons: 1. Looking forward as a young man, he can decide that this is a way he […]
PHall | January 21, 2020
“You foolish Galatians! Who has hypnotized you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was visibly portrayed as crucified?” (Galatians 3:1). J.B. Phillips paraphrases it, “O you dear idiots of Galatia…surely you can’t be so idiotic…” Some translators have “bewitched” instead of hypnotized. The meaning is “to cast an evil spell, wishing injury upon someone; to bewitch”. […]
PHall | January 18, 2020
Luke 17:11-19 tells the story of 10 lepers being healed, one of which was a Samaritan. We infer the other 9 were Jews. That the Samaritan, and only the Samaritan, came back to show gratitude to the Jewish and World Messiah is the shocking point.But can I make a different point that I realize is […]
PHall | January 17, 2020
My favorite verse on peace – “If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (CSB’17 Romans 12:18)1. Peace is possible but not always possible2. Peace depends on me but not only on me.3. Peace is the presence of something – “live” – not just the absence of conflict.4. Peace […]
PHall | January 17, 2020
“No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends.” (CSB’17 John 15:13)1. There are degrees of love, some greater than others.2. There are a limited few who show this greatest love.3. This greatest love, like all loves, is proven by actions.4. Life is a great gift, don’t waste it, […]
PHall | December 26, 2019
Ignorance fascinates me, in fact some might say I am an expert on the subject! Paul was shown mercy because “it was out of ignorance that I had acted in unbelief” (1 Timothy 1:13). 1. The very studious Paul was ignorant (warning to us all). 2. Ignorance is here equated to unbelief (a strong statement). […]
PHall | December 21, 2019
The story, or stories, are true and familiar; one is an echo of the other.1. Each narrative comes at the beginning (Genesis 1-2; Matthew 1-2).2. Each is a story about a genealogy (Genesis 2:4; Matthew1:1).3. At the beginning there is a focus on a light that was not the sun (Genesis 1:3; Matthew 2:2,7-10; Luke […]
PHall | December 19, 2019
There are many ways to “threaten” people. Church people (didn’t say “Christians”) are not immune. “If you don’t do this my way, I’m leaving” is probably the most common. That or, “I’ll stop giving my contribution….”This line of thinking started when I noticed the Hebrew literal meaning for a couple of words translated “threaten” (Joshua […]
PHall | December 17, 2019
“For I am not ashamed of gossip, for it is the power of self-righteousness to everyone who believes in their superiority, first to the finger-pointer and also to their followers. For in it the unrighteousness of Man is revealed from fault to fault, just as it is not written: “The self-righteous will live by other’s […]