Category Archives: Biblical Studies

Gay and Married in Kentucky

Posted on September 4, 2015 by hessd

I don’t want to be troublesome. Really I don’t. But this matter of the county clerk in Kentucky is just really interesting. I’d like to look at several other instances of defiance of the law, just so we have a … Continue reading →

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A Poor Use of Good Hyssop

Posted on August 29, 2015 by hessd

There is a very helpful biblical resource called a “harmony of the gospels.” The idea is that the accounts given by the different gospels can be “harmonized.” It is clear, in fact, that the gospel accounts are not always harmonious. … Continue reading →

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Conflict in the Second Temple Period

Posted on August 23, 2015 by hessd

I’ve been listening to some lectures by Professor Isaiah Gafney [1] and I got to a place this morning that raises a broader question for me. Gafney offers a historical perspective on the early years of the Second Temple period … Continue reading →

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Bible “Headlines:” A Complaint

Posted on June 10, 2015 by hessd

  I’m going to approach this whole thing as a conspiracy.  I don’t think it is, except in the sense that all cultures are conspiracies—but I have a rant in mind and calling it a conspiracy will make it easier.  … Continue reading →

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Investing in Our Future

Posted on May 27, 2015 by hessd

According to our long range plan, Bette and I will trundle ourselves off to a really good senior center by the time I am eighty years old. I met Bette when I was 68, so we’ve been talking about it … Continue reading →

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God’s Holy Library

Posted on May 20, 2015 by hessd

The Bible is a book made up up books. It is, to say the same thing another way, a compilation. “Bible” points to the unity; compilation to the diversity. I think both notions are valuable and I’d like to think … Continue reading →

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The Bible in (less than) 300 Words

Posted on May 13, 2015 by hessd

The bulk of this post is going to be the work of others. My part in it will be limited to telling you who those “others” were and saying why I am so excited about what they did that I … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Studies, Living My Life, Theology | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Clean and Sober

Posted on April 6, 2015 by hessd

I look at it as a goal. It’s the thirteenth step of my 12 Step Program. In the expression “clean and sober,” clean is supposed to refer to the absence of drugs in your system and sober to the absence … Continue reading →

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Repent! No, not you.

Posted on January 31, 2015 by hessd

Let’s think about “repentance” a little bit. My thesis is going to be that it is a really good idea sometimes and a really bad idea sometimes. The Greek verb normally translated “repent” is metanoein, which can be narrowly translated … Continue reading →

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Simeon the Stubborn

Posted on December 30, 2014 by hessd

We just finished the season of Advent.  On the church calendar, it is now Christmas.  How awkward is that?  Our whole society is saying “Been there, done that,” and the churches, the liturgical churches at any rate, are saying, “Wait.  … Continue reading →

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