Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
PHall | August 11, 2018
I set the alarm. Then I hit the snooze. Twice. Then I reset the alarm for later. But this is not about resetting the alarm. Again. And again. It is about the alarm itself. We set them because we need them. But…. Do we set it to go off gently, gradually getting louder until we […]
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
Puns are scriptural! Paul was confronted by a magician (as was Peter) (Acts 13). His name was Elymas and Bar-Jesus. Now the text says “Elymas” means “sorcerer” (v.8). Paul is going to play with the other name but not in a fun way. Think, what an affront to Jesus to have this Jewish false prophet […]
PHall | August 8, 2018
Truth versus Tradition. This is continually the battle in practicing religion. Tradition is not necessarily wrong, and is impossible to escape. If, to escape traditionalism, you vow to never do the order of services the same, that becomes your tradition! When is tradition wrong? How can we tell if it is contrary to truth? Let’s […]
PHall | August 8, 2018
The snake was not created for Adam’s needs while the woman was. Enter Eve as his helper because God knew Adam needed the strength of a good woman. While the serpent and woman were created for different purposes, both ended up working together against the good of Adam and themselves. This scene in Genesis 3 […]
PHall | August 8, 2018
Luke’s gospel account is known for his attention to society’s downtrodden, specifically women. And yet here is a surprise – Luke’s genealogy of Jesus does not list any woman including Mary; while Matthew’s list has four (Mt.1:3,5-6). Looking at Luke he does give more attention to Mary in the narratives of Jesus’ conception and childhood. […]
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
Ephesians – Scripture Sermon 1-3 – The Gospel Story 4-6 – Our Gospel Story 1 Purpose in the book is the gospel story must shape our story, so that our lives are a reflection on what God has done through Christ and His Church. Are we living the gospel?
PHall | August 3, 2018
A new YouTube “genre” is “Reaction Videos.” People listen to music they haven’t heard before and react; while viewers react in the comments to their reactions. Strange, (but should I admit) curiously entertaining! This got me thinking…What would a reaction video look like: * to us during a sermon? * to our family arguing? * […]
PHall | August 3, 2018
The ASK Prayer and Study Method Jesus famously preached to ask, seek, and knock in prayer (Matthew 7:7). We should pray while we study: A – Technical Study: When we are spiritual youths we ask, “What does this text mean?” S – Personal Study: As we mature we personally see the need to do more […]