"We have done this through the poets and novelists by persuading the humans that a curious, and usually shortlived, experience which they call ‘being in love’ is the only respectable ground for marriage..."
Read moreJob 8, Exegetical Notes from Abner Chou
Bildad the science guy argues against Job on the grounds of the DR Principle, saying that since the scientific universe works in a cause-and-effect way, Job must have sinned to procure such judgment from God.
Read more“The Big Picture of God’s Mission”, a Concise Overview of the Entire Bible by Dr. Abner Chou
The only way to understand the Bible is in its context. We have to get the proper storyline before we parachute into texts and try to make meaning from them. Abner Chou powerfully gives that context--the entire Biblical storyline--in what is less than a 15-minute read.
Read moreC. S. Lewis
Jack Lewis is the author of Narnia and lots of philosophical books which have had incalculable impact on modern Christianity. Lewis had darkness in his life which few know about, but it's that darkness that God used to shape him to create such power and beauty.
Read moreJob 7, Exegetical Notes from Abner Chou
Job continues his response to Eliphaz and gives the last two of his three wishes which form the backbone to his entire message.
Read moreMichael Horton on Spirituality in America
“We have got to get to the place, brothers and sisters, where we just…shut up….We need to sit down and listen to the One who created us and who has redeemed us tell us the way it is. We need to be drawn outside ourselves. Faith comes by hearing, not by looking within…”
Read moreQOTD: Frederick Buechner on God's Use of Story for Revelation
"My story is important not because it is mine, God knows, but because if I tell it anything like right, the chances are you will recognize that in many ways it is also yours."...
Read moreJob 6, Exegetical Notes from Abner Chou
In Job 6, Job begins his response to Eliphaz, rebuking him for his crummy "counsel." There are many lessons here for us about God and suffering, of course, but also about how to be a better friend to those in need.
Read moreQOTD: Reading changes us
"Reading leaves a more indelible mark on the human mind than most other forms of entertainment. Thus, choosing a book is often like choosing a particular course for one’s future: mapping out the free hours of the coming days, yes, but even more, mapping out a new mental and spiritual journey for the self to embark upon."
Read moreJob 5, Exegetical Notes from Abner Chou
Eliphaz, the historian, continues on with his pithy, proverbial wisdom. But has he actually answered Job's questions?
Read moreJob 4, Exegetical Notes from Abner Chou
Job 4 begins the argumentation which comprises the majority of the Book. Chou shows the logic of the arguments, how they build, and what question they are aiming to answer.
Read moreJob 3, Exegetical Notes from Abner Chou
Job 3 sets up the question which drives the entire book: the question of Why.
Read moreJob 2, Exegetical Notes from Abner Chou
Satan is called to the heavenly throne and given another mission: attack Job's body. His wife advises him to commit divine-assisted suicide, but Job holds fast to his integrity. Is he right, or is his wife (and Satan)?
Read moreJob 1, Exegetical Notes from Abner Chou
The first chapter of Job introduces the storyline and sets the tensions which unfold into the rest of the book. Dr. Chou's close exegesis fleshes out the tense ironies and questions with great clarity and power. There's more here than you may think.
Read moreJob: Introduction to the Content and Function in the Canon
Job functions as a prequel to the Biblical narrative and introduces the main theological tension the rest of the Bible resolves. If God is right, how can Job be right too? Doesn't Job deserve to suffer? Is there no hope for him?
Read moreJob: Authorship and Dating
The second lecture in Dr. Chou's series on Job covers the authorship and dating of the book, both real polarizing problems in Biblical scholarship. His answers are fascinating.
Read moreJob: 10 Common Misconceptions
The first lecture in our series on the book of Job deals with us--and our presuppositions. Dr. Chou addresses 10 common misconceptions which I found helpful to regrind my textual "lenses," a very valuable and necessary first step before we approach the text.
Read moreJob Lecture Series from Dr. Abner Chou
Over the next few weeks I will be posting the lecture notes from a class Dr. Chou teaches at The Master’s College on the book of Job. I’ve found the lectures extremely helpful, so I’m going back through them and copying down the relevant notes. I will publish one lecture per day on the blog, with each lecture being about 1,000 words. That should be a great 5 minute “devotional” for you as we go through the 34-ish lectures.
Read moreAll-the-Things-You-Can-Do Whilst Sitting Down
Being sick really stinks, so to freshen the smell, here's a crazy list of things to do that will add value to your life when illness derailes your routine.
Read moreC. S. Lewis on Pride and the Self
"We say that people are proud of being rich, or clever, or good-looking, but they are not. They are proud of being richer, or cleverer, or better-looking than others. If everyone else became equally rich, or clever, or good-looking there would be nothing to be proud about."
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