Essays
1 - Resurrection Is For Now! - A reflection on the here-and-now value of Jesus' resurrection, written for inclusion in a service on Easter Sunday, 2020--during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2 - Peter's Comeback - In John 21:15-19, Jesus reversed Peter's denials, his most spectacular failure, restoring him to favor and commissioning him for his life's service.
3 - Why Does God Allow Evil and Suffering? An Introductory Overview - An introduction to a framework for the kind of study needed to explore the question of evil and suffering and point to some ideas that will help us when we experience trouble in our lives.
Diakonia: Service, Ministry - This series of articles surveys the meaning and use of the cognate Greek words diakonia, diakanos, and diakoneō, translated with words like "serve," "deacon," and "ministry." It is the word Jesus used to describe his service (e.g., Mark 10:45). These articles examine the meaning and use of the word in the Jewish and Greek cultures, compare it with other words with similar meanings, and reflect on its use today.
2 - Peter's Comeback - In John 21:15-19, Jesus reversed Peter's denials, his most spectacular failure, restoring him to favor and commissioning him for his life's service.
3 - Why Does God Allow Evil and Suffering? An Introductory Overview - An introduction to a framework for the kind of study needed to explore the question of evil and suffering and point to some ideas that will help us when we experience trouble in our lives.
Diakonia: Service, Ministry - This series of articles surveys the meaning and use of the cognate Greek words diakonia, diakanos, and diakoneō, translated with words like "serve," "deacon," and "ministry." It is the word Jesus used to describe his service (e.g., Mark 10:45). These articles examine the meaning and use of the word in the Jewish and Greek cultures, compare it with other words with similar meanings, and reflect on its use today.
Academic Papers
1 - The Purpose of John: A Preliminary Study - Was John's Gospel written to evangelize, strengthen the faith of believers, or both? Was its primary audience Jewish, Hellenistic, or both? both? This paper explored these questions and proposed a tentative conclusion designed to be a working model for additional study.
Book Reviews
1 - "Hell Is Not For Eternity" - A review of and reflections in light of Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel's Night: “'Hell is not for eternity' is part of the welcome speech delivered by the Polish prisoner in charge of Elie Wiesel’s prison group upon arrival in Auschwitz (p. 38). . . ."
2 - "The Happy Result of a Bad Experience" - A review and reflections on Gerald Sittser's A Grace Disguised: How the Soul Grows Through Loss: "Gerald Sittser would tell you that the loss he experienced is not really unique. . . . At one level, he is correct, . . . At the same time, his loss is unique . . ."
2 - "The Happy Result of a Bad Experience" - A review and reflections on Gerald Sittser's A Grace Disguised: How the Soul Grows Through Loss: "Gerald Sittser would tell you that the loss he experienced is not really unique. . . . At one level, he is correct, . . . At the same time, his loss is unique . . ."