Yes. It is essential to read the books of Samuel as a literary unity, to pay attention to themes and motifs, to types, and to symbols. There is some sophisticated commentary going on between the lines.
The following are a few things that can be traced back to David's sin. 🧵
First, the text closely parallels Amnon's rape of Tamar with David's sin a couple of chapters earlier, alerting the hearer to the similarities between the two. David's heir was following in his father's footsteps.
Evil is a sort of contagion.
Dec 18 • 23 tweets • 6 min read
Let's start by removing loaded terms—'rape', 'power dynamics', 'consent', etc.—from the conversation and look at the details of the story closely. Perhaps at some later point we can reintroduce various terms in a more advised fashion.
First, the closest analogies to David's actions are probably seen in figures like Pharaoh (Genesis 12), the Abimelechs (Genesis 20, 26), or Shechem (Genesis 34). He is a powerful king who can take a women when it pleases him, the lives of any obstructing his desire being at risk.
Oct 17 • 22 tweets • 4 min read
There has been some stimulating and thoughtful discussion around this tweet; I recommend that you read it and some of the quote tweets and responses.
The following are a few of my own thoughts on these subjects.
First off, although I can understand it, I've never felt the appeal of climbing status hierarchies as a root metaphor for my life goal and it is quite foreign to the way I've come to think about myself; in several respects I find it very unhelpful and narrowing, even dangerous.
Oct 8 • 24 tweets • 4 min read
Like several others, I have used the term ‘tribalism’ in my criticisms of Christian Nationalism. A common objection is that such criticism is a cynical and hypocritical one—if the people making it were just honest, they would have to acknowledge they have their own 'tribes'!
A few non-comprehensive thoughts on the subject:
First, the word 'tribe' is not simply synonymous with 'group', 'circle', 'network', or 'friends'. 'Tribe' typically implies a number of things, such as strong collective identity and less tolerance for individual divergence.
Jun 19 • 13 tweets • 3 min read
Training for pastoral ministry should not be gender-neutralized; it requires a formation in virtues, in communal practices, and for vocations that have a male character to them. Those in such training are not merely being given information nor just being instructed in techniques.
It is training for something akin to fatherhood, for which being a virtuous man—and virtuous as a man—is essential. Such training will typically require key spaces that are exclusive to men, much as the performance of the vocations for which the training exists will.
Jun 12 • 17 tweets • 3 min read
I have suggested 'Negative World' is in large measure the Internet. The Internet creates a society that is simultaneously one of extreme exposure and of extreme secrecy. Much of the Internet exposes what would formerly be obscure or private to the gaze and judgment of others.
While authorities are engaged in surveillance upon us, we are now also constantly engaged in surveillance upon each other. Online we speak knowing that parties unknown to us will be eavesdropping. Words can no longer be so easily tailored to hearer and context.
Mar 30 • 7 tweets • 2 min read
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.
