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PHall | August 10, 2012
There is a recurring theme among liberal OT scholars. The Biblical books and authors are not authentic in time or authorship, but written in more “modern” times to help that later generation deal with their situations by re-inventing a past narrative. Daniel didn’t prophesy apocalyptic visions in chapters 7-12, but they were written in his […]
PHall | August 10, 2012
Daniel is easily divided into two sections: 1) Narrative – Present (1-6); 2) Prophetic – Future (7-12). The applicable lesson for us is that the same God who is today will be tomorrow. The same God that saves now can save in the later. The same God in charge of history today is in charge […]
PHall | August 10, 2012
Two types of Narratives in Daniel (Brueggemann, An Introduction to the Old Testament, p.352): Interpretation Story: The king has a vision or dream. The wise men of his court cannot interpret its meaning. The hero emerges and gives the interpretation. The hero is awarded. The king learns that ht hero’s God is all-powerful. Deliverance Story […]
PHall | August 5, 2012
Much like Lot is maligned for choosing the land of Sodom, although Scripture only speaks highly of him (2 Peter 2:7-8); those Jewish exiles who chose not to return after Cyrus’ decree are viewed askew, as less holy than the returnees. In staying behind, how could they be as righteous as those who went? However, […]
PHall | July 20, 2012
Concerning the vision in Ezekiel 1: “It has thus been, on the one hand, the point of departure for generations of mystics, who have scrutinized it in the hope of retracing Ezekiel’s steps, and finding their own path to the direct encounter with with God’s very being. Precisely for that reason, however, Jewish law forbade the public […]
PHall | July 17, 2012
Lamentations is one of the books that is not part of our normal readings, few sermons are preached from it. And yet it is a helpful book for how to handle great losses. Have you ever lost someone you loved? Have you ever lost someone you loved who deserved to die? How did you handle […]
PHall | July 13, 2012
The book of Ezra foretells and foreshadows the coming of Christ in a rather intriguing and interesting way – not by one person, but through the two returns and their two leaders. Both individuals, Zerubbabel and Ezra, together tell the story of Christ and His coming kingdom. Both returns are equally decreed by a King […]
PHall | July 8, 2012
Why was Genesis written? I would like to suggest four reasons. First, to satisfy man’s natural curiosity – “Where did I come from?” Second, to put man into perspective – we are created for God – “Why do I exist?” And third, to combat false concepts of creation’s origin – “Who is the true God?” […]
PHall | July 5, 2012
It is always a challenge to teach certain Bible stories to children. How do you teach the lesson of David and Bathsheba, for example? Here are some general guidelines: 1) Tell the story as the Bible does; 2) Don’t explain some details unless asked; 3) Explain only in limited form until asked for more details; […]
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 […]