Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
PHall | January 13, 2024
Check yourself (I know I’m guilty), to see if: 1. You read posts to find something wrong. 2. You watch others, waiting on them to fail you. If these sound familiar, then who are we like? Let’s notice Mark 3:2. 1. “They (scribes and Pharisees) were watching Him (Jesus)” ISN’T WATCHING JESUS SUPPOSED TO BE […]
PHall | January 13, 2024
At Home in this World and Is This World is our Home? I’m concerned. If there was one succinct answer as to why so many believers fall away, it might be this: Are we living as “strangers” in this world (1 Peter 1:1)? Two ways Christians can fail in this: 1. At home in this […]
PHall | January 4, 2024
After reading 1 Peter, let me just say WOW! I am beginning to think 1 Peter is the most “patternistic” epistle in the NT, more so than Paul’s glorious epistles. While Paul and Peter preface the practical with declarations of the gospel; Peter interweaves the glorious gospel themes together more seamlessly. Instead of the first […]
PHall | January 4, 2024
The central idea within the instructions to elders is also prevalent within 1 Peter which adds depth to the mentioning of suffering and glory in the context instructing elders. What is the key principle by which elders shepherd? Is it by being an example? Is it being willing? By studying the chiastic structure, we find […]
PHall | January 3, 2024
God’s Existence Doesn’t Depend on Me In Megan Rappinoe’s last game she injured herself by tearing her Achilles. She is the women’s soccer team captain and outspoken advocate for LGBTQT+. She immediately said afterwards, “I’m not a religious person or anything and if there was a god, like, this is proof that there isn’t”. Let’s […]
PHall | January 3, 2024
Ecclesiastes: Not A Theodicy but A Humanodicy In a pointed way, Ecclesiastes goes in a different direction than a theodicy – it is a “humanodicy”. A theodicy is a defense of God’s justice and goodness within this world of pain and suffering. While the Teacher (Ecclesiastes 1:1) periodically refers to God’s blessings within this world, […]
PHall | January 3, 2024
The structure of Ephesians 5:22-33 is fairly simple. It goes back and forth between the physical and spiritual. Whether this is a chiasm, or something else, I don’t know. But for those who learn from how texts are structured, enjoy and if necessary correct. A – PHYSICAL – HUSBAND IS HEAD: Wives, be subject to […]
PHall | January 3, 2024
The Gospel in Six “Verses” Many believe 1 Timothy 3:16 is an example of a 1st century gospel song. Paul included it in his letter to Timothy. It can be understood as describing Jesus’s Birth to Ascension or Jesus’s Rebirth (Resurrection) to Ascension. Here is 1 Timothy 3:16 in chiastic form. Notice the beautiful symmetry: […]
PHall | January 3, 2024
Two Thoughts about Repentance: 1. I pray I will recognize my sins before committing them instead of afterwards. Rationalization is itself sinful. I need God to keep from sinning by keeping my mind alert and heart honest. 2. I pray that my repentance becomes more than saying, “I’m sorry”. Repentance is a change of mind […]
PHall | January 3, 2024
A “Type” of Prophecy “This prophecy was obviously made after the historical event”. Such admissions are common and “admit” more about the author of that statement than the Author of the Biblical prophecy. A “type” of prophecy overlooked by these scholarly skeptics is “types”. A type is a living prophecy. For example, Paul looked back […]