April 2012

Saul's sins involved a premature sacrifice (1 Sam. 13) and an incomplete slaughter (1 Sam. 15).  That doesn't sound too bad, particularly in comparison to David's murder and… — April 30, 2012

My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word (Psalm 119:28 NRSV). What do you do when you're depressed?  The psalmist writes a poem of… — April 29, 2012

Why was God so mean to King Saul?  A premature sacrifice (1 Sam. 13) and an incomplete slaughter (1 Sam. 15).  As sins go, those seem mild.  David,… — April 26, 2012

The Luddites were English textile workers who violently opposed mechanization of their industry between 1811-1816.  They liked to smash things, automated looms usually.  The movement was so popular that… — April 24, 2012

Make me understand the ways of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wonderous works (Psalm 119:27 NRSV). After 27 weeks of blogging, I wonder if I'll be able… — April 22, 2012

The Israelites had just lost a battle to the Philistines, so they came up with the brilliant idea to get the Ark of the Covenant for the next battle (1 Samuel… — April 20, 2012

When I told of my ways you answered me; teach me your statutes (Psalm 119:26 NRSV). If questions don't come to mind when we read the Bible, we're… — April 15, 2012

On Good Friday (4/6/2012) I spoke at the InterVarsity chapter at Swarthmore College on the second chapter of God Behaving Badly .  It was filmed. The sound is… — April 12, 2012

"How long will you go on being drunk?" When the priest Eli sees Hannah mumbling something as he sits at the door of the temple, he assumes she's… — April 11, 2012

My soul clings to the dust: revive me according to your word (Psalm 119:25 NRSV). Clinging to the dust.  In this verse one hears echoes of the curse on the man… — April 9, 2012

In one of my classes I recently gave the assignment of writing a blog post telling a personal story.  This post is from a Korean student, David Kim.  It felt… — April 4, 2012

Now is the time of the year when one reflects on the deeper meaning of foolishness.  (If you believe that, you need to check the calendar.) The Bible has a… — April 1, 2012