An Ancient Guide to Making Sense David Anguish Though he is more associated with the geometry theorem that bears his name, Pythagoras is traditionally known as the first to refer to himself as a “philosopher” (Passmore 1967, 216). He joined others at “the beginning of human attempts … to make sense out of their environment … At that time (approximately 2,700 years ago) … anyone who attempted to provide answers to questions about life was simply a person seeking wisdom, and eventually came to...
7 days ago • 5 min read
Opening the Scriptures Then their eyes were opened and they recognized [Jesus], and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” ~ Luke 24.31-32 NIV 1 Peter, Standing of God's People # 4 A Reflection on Trials — and Perseverance David Anguish While teaching a Bible school class on 1 Peter, I mentioned in passing that the problem of evil and suffering is the starting place...
14 days ago • 7 min read
Must Reading for the Age of Man David Anguish Longtime philosophy professor Peter Kreeft posits “that Ecclesiastes is the greatest of all books of philosophy” (Kreeft 1989, 15). A few pages later, he details its value for believers who wish to speak to the modern world. Ecclesiastes is the one book in the Bible that modern man needs most to read, for it is Lesson One, and the rest of the Bible is Lesson Two, and modernity does not heed Lesson Two because it does not heed Lesson One. Whenever...
21 days ago • 5 min read
Opening the Scriptures Then their eyes were opened and they recognized [Jesus], and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” ~ Luke 24.31-32 NIV 1 Peter, Standing of God's People # 3 Reasons for Peter's Living Hope A Supplemental Study David Anguish We previously saw that 1 Peter begins with praise: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Peter’s...
28 days ago • 7 min read
Unsung Brothers David Anguish Save for a break here and a bounce there, Mark Lemke would have been named Most Valuable Player of the 1991 World Series. All he did in the seven games was bat .417, hit three triples, score the winning run in Game 4, and make a key defensive play which changed the flow of Game 5. Not a bad week’s work for a man who was not the starter at his position at the beginning of the series, or for much of the season for that matter. A little known utility infielder, as...
about 1 month ago • 4 min read
Image by Waldryano from Pixabay A few months ago, I received an email from a Christian sister in another state. She was leading a ladies Bible study in her home church and using the commentary on Luke 1–9 that I finished writing nine years ago. She wanted to thank me for my work. The receipt of her note reminded me why I write; it also encouraged me to keep writing. As Joe Barnett wrote decades ago, the printed word has a uniquely lasting value for influence and meditation on God’s word. I...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Opening the Scriptures Then their eyes were opened and they recognized [Jesus], and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” ~ Luke 24.31-32 NIV 1 Peter, Standing of God's People # 2 Suffering: Remember This First David Anguish As we read 1 Peter, it is evident that Peter wanted to prepare his readers to endure suffering, especially the suffering of persecution (1 Pet...
about 2 months ago • 7 min read
The Coming One … and His Mission David Anguish Following Jesus’ sermon at Nazareth, which, in Luke, “is programmatic for … understanding … the mission of Jesus” (Luke 4.16–30) (Green 1995, 76), the author recounts a series of episodes that showcase Jesus’ teaching, healings, exorcisms, nature miracles, calling of disciples, socializing with outsiders, Sabbath works, and responses to criticism (4.31—6.11). He then reports Jesus’ selection of the twelve apostles and the core principles of his...
about 2 months ago • 5 min read
Opening the Scriptures Then their eyes were opened and they recognized [Jesus], and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” ~ Luke 24.31-32 NIV 1 Peter, Standing of God's People # 1 Confident in a Sure Salvation David Anguish πάσχω (paschō, to suffer) — 12 times: 1 Peter 2.19–21, 23; 3.14, 17–18; 4.1, 15, 19; 5.10 πάθημα (pathēma, suffering) — 4 times: 1 Peter 1.11;...
2 months ago • 7 min read