It is easy to reduce the cross to the mere physical instrument of Jesus' death, of an 'atonement' that mostly functions as an abstract theological reality.
Over the past year, I've reflected much more upon the distinctive form of the crucifixion event, and why it matters.
I recently discussed the connection between the Transfiguration and what we might call the 'Disfiguration' of Christ with @pj_schreiner (). The Transfiguration and Disfiguration on Calvary are two sides of the same reality of Christ's kingship.adversariapodcast.com/2024/03/21/the…
Jan 27 • 18 tweets • 3 min read
It is worth reflecting upon the breadth of appreciation for C.S. Lewis and the importance he has had for many people in making key transitions in their thinking and affiliation, especially in the direction of Christian faith, but also away from fundamentalism and evangelicalism.
C.S. Lewis's work has wide appeal—Christians & non-Christians, children & adults, men & women, scholars & laypeople, Protestants & Catholics, conservatives & liberals, etc. Of course, many dislike him—or aspects of him—and his appeal varies, yet it is still noteworthy.
Nov 21, 2023 • 6 tweets • 2 min read
An important associated text is 2 Kings 4:8-37—the story of the Shunammite woman and the raising of her son.
Throughout that story, there are several allusions back to Genesis 18 and 22, which invite us to read the two stories in juxtaposition.
In 2 Kings 4, the Shunammite is given a miraculous child of promise. She stands in the doorway (verse 15; cf. Genesis 18:10) and the Lord's messenger declares that she will have a son that time next year using the same expression as in Genesis 18:10 (2 Kings 4:16-17).
Nov 17, 2023 • 10 tweets • 2 min read
This is brilliant!
The 'binding of Ishmael' is fascinating and significant. Paired with the Akedah, I wonder whether there are allusions to the sacrifice of Yom Kippur. Its echoes are also evident in the sale of Joseph in Genesis 37.
1 Kings 19 had several surprising possible allusions to the binding of Ishmael. Not where we might expect to find them!
1. Elijah had to flee from Jezebel (and Ahab) as Hagar was cast out by Sarah (and Abraham). 2. Both wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.
Nov 6, 2023 • 12 tweets • 2 min read
In the course of my work, I often lead students and laypeople in the study of biblical passages. I chiefly focus on priming them to pay attention to the text more broadly. I recommend they start by putting questions to one side and practice listening to the text, for instance.
After some more general initial attention to a passage and eliciting insights from the group on this, I will typically guide the conversation towards more focused attention. There are dozens of questions that I will use to encourage such focused attention. Here are some examples.
Oct 31, 2023 • 10 tweets • 2 min read
It has been disquieting to be reminded of the power of the logic of abusers, as many have applied forms of it to situations with Islamists in the UK and Hamas in Gaza.
When the concern becomes avoiding 'inflaming tensions', a group will routinely attack any challenging abusers.
In such a group, most people are fearful of the anger, abuse, or aggression of one party and just want to keep the peace. That typically boils down to appeasing the abuser and policing any who would aggravate them by resisting or calling them out.
Oct 17, 2023 • 13 tweets • 2 min read
The progressive oppressor/oppressed binary tends to deny true agency on both sides. On the one hand, the agency of oppressors, as it is premised upon and perpetuates injustice, is fundamentally illegitimate, so cannot truly be moral or responsible, only variously blameworthy.
The oppressed, on the other hand, get presented as victims determined by the perverse agency of their oppressors, free of blame because lacking in self-determined agency, yet consequently lacking in true moral agency or responsibility.
Oct 14, 2023 • 5 tweets • 1 min read
Careful and principled consideration of jus in bello is imperative right now. Some rough initial remarks.
1. In considering the evils of war, it is very important that we do not flatten things out. Acts that cost innocent lives are not necessarily morally equivalent.
Intentionally targeting civilians, e.g., is different from loss of civilian life in acts of war carefully targeted at legitimate objects.
2. This temptation might present itself in a particular way to those inclined to pacifism, reluctant to make distinctions between evils.
Sep 16, 2023 • 25 tweets • 5 min read
Little do the young guys accusing @PLeithart of capitulating to some contemporary spirit of simpery realize that the granddaddy of Theopolitan crypto-feminism, James Jordan himself, was saying all this back in the 80s and 90s!
Understanding what such statements mean really requires some conversance with symbolism, archetypes, and typology and how they work. It also requires minds that don't operate on hair-trigger impressions, but which can patiently think something through and ask genuine questions.
Jul 15, 2023 • 11 tweets • 2 min read
This thread is worth reading, but I think Edward misunderstands where I am coming from here.
I really don't see myself as an 'elite-in-exile' and the antagonism I am focused upon isn't non-academic vs. academic.
I am not an 'elite' or even an aspiring one. My work is that of a popularizing scholar.
I am not in formal authority, nor am I looking for political, institutional, or pastoral authority. However, I do care very strongly about such authority and about the need for elites.
Jul 15, 2023 • 7 tweets • 2 min read
The intellectual ecosystem article @onsikamel referenced in the thread I just RTed is well worth a (re-)read (). One of the issues he highlights is the populism and anti-elitism of evangelical Protestants. This is hostile to healthy intellectual life.adfontesjournal.com/web-exclusives…
I think many evangelicals on the right want to keep a populist 'pugilism' in the driving seat, while expecting loyal and flattering intellectuals to underwrite their endeavours. But that is not how a healthy intellectual ecosystem operates.
Jul 13, 2023 • 15 tweets • 3 min read
Over the last week or so, I think we've seen some of the ugly places a 'No Enemies to the Right' (NETTR) approach can lead and the self-inflicted damage it results in.
There has been another antisemitism breakout, the outrage about forgiveness of enemies, and Tate on Tucker.
Each of these situations was produced or exacerbated by aspects of a NETTR approach. The (latest) antisemitism flare-up resulted in large part from the indulgence towards antisemitic fringe right wingers NETTR encourages and was exacerbated as NETTR types ran cover for it.
Jul 7, 2023 • 8 tweets • 2 min read
There was a point at the start of my twenties when I was into belligerent political theology, not dissimilar to some of the Christian nationalism stuff attracting many today.
At a point I realized something was off. Whether it was me or the material I was reading, I didn't know.
I knew all the theological arguments and could defend my positions from Scripture. However, for all my theologizing, I did not feel more drawn to Christ. Indeed, I knew my love for him was growing cold. That scared me.
So I went completely cold turkey on the political theology.
May 22, 2023 • 12 tweets • 3 min read
The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof.
Christ has defeated Death and sits on the throne of the universe.
No power can resist the Creator and his good purpose for his creation, a good purpose being providentially worked out, even through the most adverse events.
Our labours are not in vain in the Lord. We serve a God who raises the dead. No good thing will finally perish. We have treasure in heaven, beyond the reach of men. Our lives are hidden with Christ in God and even the gain of the whole world would not be as valuable.
Apr 24, 2023 • 7 tweets • 2 min read
Note the chiasm in the Aramaic sections of Daniel:
Daniel 2 (four-part image and new kingdom) <—> Daniel 7 (four beasts and new kingdom)
Daniel 3 (fiery furnace) <—> Daniel 6 (lion's den)
Daniel 4 (humiliation of Nebuchadnezzar) <—> Daniel 5 (humiliation of Belshazzar)
Within this structure, Daniel in the lion's den is paired with his friends in the fiery furnace.
In Daniel 3, the great golden image is a Babelic symbol of Babylon as the cosmic empire, gathering all peoples around and under Nebuchadnezzar's dominion.
Apr 24, 2023 • 12 tweets • 3 min read
Good thread on reading the story of Daniel in the den of lions typologically.
Elaborating on this, it is helpful to recognize that such a typological reading works with the grain of a reading of Daniel in its original literary and historical context.
Daniel 6 is near the start of Darius's reign, after the fall of Babylon to the Medes and Persians. In Daniel 9, set at the same time, Daniel is concerned about the restoration of the Jews, after seventy years of judgment. Babylon has been overthrown: when are the Jews returning?
Apr 22, 2023 • 16 tweets • 3 min read
Having thoroughly enjoyed the psalm-singing today in Shrewsbury, I was caused to reflect once more on how the Psalter can greatly enrich our understanding of God's Word and our relationship with it.
Many Christians think of Scripture chiefly as direction for practice, as doctrinal instruction, as historical information, as containing random devotional nuggets, or other such things. This functions as a set of expectations, greatly constraining their engagement with the text.
Mar 29, 2023 • 12 tweets • 2 min read
In days when bonds are weakening and people feel culturally embattled, it is incredibly easy for us to seek security and unity in political tribes and in shared sociopolitical sensibilities or vibes and to use Christ to underwrite these, dividing the body of Christ accordingly.
This division may be the more 'passive' division of simply not bothering to recognize or seek ties with Christians outside of narrow political affinity groups, or the 'active' division of separation from and hostility against Christians who don't share our political shibboleths.
Mar 27, 2023 • 7 tweets • 2 min read
ISTM the challenge of reversing the drop in patriotism really underlines some of the points @suzania has been making about the need for a conservative position against the more tribal right.
This drop almost certainly overwhelmingly is on the left. If the right co-opts national identity and symbolism as its own, presenting patriotism as right wing in reaction, this trend will likely be reinforced.
Pushing against the left from the right is likely counterproductive.
Mar 22, 2023 • 5 tweets • 2 min read
The woman caught in adultery in John 8 (the Pericope Adulterae) is one of several stories in Scripture that possibly allude to the peculiar test of jealousy in Numbers 5 (the sotah).
Other examples include the waters of Marah and the powdered calf in the water in Exodus 32.
In John 8, Jesus writes in the dust of the temple, while the accusers of the woman stand against her, perhaps recalling the test of jealousy, which applied to cases of adultery without witnesses. The test of jealousy involved writing a curse and dust from the tabernacle floor.
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