Reading & Interpretation
The O’s Have It Part II: God’s Omnipresence in the Bible
Part II — Where Is God? Rethinking Omnipresence Christianity taught me to say, “God is everywhere.” Scripture taught me to ask, “Then why do some places feel empty?” What is omnipresence? Omnipresence is the idea that God is all present everywhere. Like Santa Claus in the song, who “knows when you are sleeping, knows when…
Read MoreThe O’s Have It Part I: God’s Omniscience in the Bible
If God knows everything, why does Genesis show a God who asks questions? One of the first things I learned in Seminary was that the gap between biblical and theological studies grew wider as scholars specialized. Even the vocabulary and basic assumptions about belief, faith, and the nature of God differed between the two camps. I was…
Read MoreBarbie and the Easy Man
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, conversations about gender, power, and representation take center stage. While history often focuses on real-world trailblazers, fictional storytelling has long been a powerful tool for examining societal norms and challenging assumptions. Two summers ago, one film, Barbie (2023), explored gender norms and societal expectations by portraying an encounter with…
Read MoreEthical Reflections from the Book of Ruth
The Book of Ruth, often seen as a simple love story, holds profound insights into immigrant relationships, philanthropy, and social justice within the Hebrew Bible. Through a closer examination, we can uncover the ethical dimensions of the narrative, especially as they pertain to migration and community responsibility. Here are three key takeaways from this exploration:…
Read MoreExploring Liberation and Justice in Exodus and the Asaph Psalms
The Book of Exodus and the Asaph Psalms are profound texts that delve into themes of liberation, justice, and divine intervention, offering timeless insights that resonate with faith communities today.
Read MoreEmbracing Lectio Divina: The Art Reading the Divine in Scripture
In exploring the depths of biblical passages, scholars often turn to rigorous analytical methods to unearth the text’s historical, cultural, and theological contexts. Yet, Lectio Divina, or Divine Reading, presents an enriching alternative or complementary practice to traditional scholarly exegesis. This ancient technique invites us into a reflective and meditative engagement with scripture, blending intellectual…
Read MoreApplying Biblical Passages to Contemporary Contexts: The Final Step in Exegesis
This post is part of a series on illuminating Scripture through personal study that follows biblical exegesis methods. Read the Introduction article: Illuminating the Scriptures: A Comprehensive Guide to Biblical Exegesis. Having meticulously navigated through annotating your passage, understanding its historical-cultural backdrop, structuring your analysis, and engaging with past scholarship, we now arrive at the…
Read MoreCrafting a Structural Outline and Developing a Working Thesis for Your Exegesis Commentary
This post is part of a series on illuminating Scripture through personal study that follows biblical exegesis methods. Read the Introduction article: Illuminating the Scriptures: A Comprehensive Guide to Biblical Exegesis. In our journey through biblical exegesis, having explored both the “World in Front of the Text” and the “World Behind the Text,” we now…
Read MoreIntegrating Past Scholarship and Commentary into Your Biblical Exegesis
This post is part of a series on illuminating Scripture through personal study that follows biblical exegesis methods. Read the Introduction article: Illuminating the Scriptures: A Comprehensive Guide to Biblical Exegesis. After establishing a solid foundation through a structured outline and a clear working thesis for your exegesis paper, the next critical step is to…
Read MoreDelving into the “World Behind the Text”: Unearthing the Historical and Cultural Contexts of Biblical Passages
This post is part of a series on illuminating Scripture through personal study that follows biblical exegesis methods. Read the Introduction article: Illuminating the Scriptures: A Comprehensive Guide to Biblical Exegesis. In our journey through biblical exegesis, after annotating our selected passage and exploring its significance in our personal and contemporary context, we now venture…
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