Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
PHall | January 17, 2020
Uncomfortable Lessons from Ruth:1. The most loyal woman is not an Israelite, but a Moabite (ch.1).2. The most bitter person is an Israelite bitter towards God (ch1).3. Boaz has to order fellow Israelites to “not touch” Ruth (ch.2).4. Although Ruth is loyal to Naomi, Naomi puts Ruth in a possibly socially compromising situation (ch.3).5. Although […]
PHall | January 17, 2020
I’ll confess. I like studying the book of Judges for the same reason I liked studying the Tudor-Stuart monarchy – horrible characters are never boring! When during the Judges, “Everyone did what was right their own eyes” is the philosophy of life, there is no telling what is creeping out of people’s heart. And yet….During […]
PHall | December 28, 2019
The word “redeem” is not used in Judges, but it might help us better understand redemption than we know. That is because the opposite action is found several times: “And he sold them into the hands” (Judges 2:14; 3:8; 4:2; 1:7). Sin, Suffering, Solicitation, Salvation are the four stages Israel continues to find itself in […]
PHall | December 27, 2019
Atheists argue much evil has been done by followers in the name of “God(s)” which is sadly true. This becomes a moot point because they must also agree historically much evil has been done by followers who are atheists (consider Stalin and Mao). By their own argument then atheism must be false, or at least […]
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 19, 2019
How Do We Understand God’s Violence in the OT? Reading Joshua, specifically the conquest of Canaan, and it is disarming (which is the opposite of the armies!) and disquieting (and battles are not quiet!). There are various ways to handle this, one of which is far more appealing to me, and I hope to you. […]
PHall | December 17, 2019
Jesus is found in the most unexpected places!Joshua 10:26-27 (NASB) 26) So afterward Joshua struck them and put them to death, and he hanged them on five trees; and they hung on the trees until evening. 27) It came about at sunset that Joshua gave a command, and they took them down from the trees […]
PHall | December 17, 2019
If we won’t wash the feet of our Judas’s, then we are not qualified to denigrate the Pharisees in our lives. This is something everyone not named Jesus needs to work on including me.