by admin | May 27, 2017 | Paul's Religious Mind, Section Four
In another essay I began “to consider what I called ‘Paul’s religious mind’ through the lens of Jesus’ teaching” in Matthew 18:15-17 as ballast for my own bias toward mercy. Originally, I was concerned about Paul’s judgment from a distance of the man who had...
by admin | Mar 6, 2017 | Paul's Religious Mind, Section Three
My gift is showing mercy. Also, I’m an outsider in many ways. I was persona non grata when I returned to my childhood church, ostensibly because my wife divorced me, but the impossibility of repentance after apostasy (Hebrews 6:4-6) is an ever-present...
by admin | Jan 12, 2017 | Paul's Religious Mind, Section Three
In the year of King Uzziah’s death,[1] yehôvâh (יהוה) sent the prophet Isaiah to harden the descendants of Israel living in the southern kingdom of Judah (Isaiah 6:9-12 NET): “Go and tell these people: ‘Listen continually, but don’t understand! Look continually, but...
by admin | Dec 4, 2016 | Paul's Religious Mind, Section Three
Here are two different descriptions Paul wrote of himself, separated by an affliction. Before the Affliction The Affliction After the Affliction “All things are lawful for me” – but I will not be controlled by anything. 1 Corinthians 6:12b (NET) For we do not want you...
by admin | Oct 7, 2016 | Paul's Religious Mind, Section Three
The movie Spotlight is named after a team of investigative journalists at the Boston Globe. They pierce a smokescreen of secrecy—fueled by police, prosecutors, defense attorneys, businessmen, civil servants, their own bosses and colleagues, even their own...
by admin | Sep 16, 2016 | Paul's Religious Mind, Section Three
I’ll continue to contrast “Paul’s Regime” to “Jesus’ Regime.” Paul finally turned his attention to the man who had his father’s wife as follows. Paul’s Regime Jesus’ Regime For even though I am absent physically, I am present in spirit. And I have already judged...