Today, we’re delighted to welcome guest writer and previous ESN Associate Director Micheal Hickerson. Micheal did a great deal to grow ESN. Although he’s moved on to different career commitments, we’re always delighted to share his thoughts with Christian scholars. In this Scholar’s Compass post, he reflects on the Baptism of the Lord. Next Sunday he’ll share some further new year’s reflections. If you’d like to explore more of Mike’s work, including his extremely popular March Madness showdown posts on the Best Christian Book of All Time, click here. If you’re new to Scholar’s Compass, it’s our ongoing online devotional for academics. Launched in 2014, Scholar’s Compass has proved to be one of ESN’s most popular and enduring features. Click here to access the collection of Scholar’s Compass posts we’ve built over the past years. [Read more…] about The Baptism of the Lord (Scholar’s Compass)
devotional
Fourth Week of Advent: The Coming King (Scholar’s Compass)
Scripture
He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away. – Luke 1:52-53
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. – 1 Peter 4:10
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Third Week of Advent: The Incarnation (Scholar’s Compass)
Scripture
Christ Jesus . . . who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. – Philippians 2:6-7
A voice cries:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway
for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill
be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
And the glory of the Lord shall
be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.†- Isaiah 40:3-5
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Second Week of Advent: The Hope (Scholar’s Compass)
Scripture
Oh that you would rend the heavens
and come down,
that the mountains might quake
at your presence—
as when fire kindles brushwood
and the fire causes water to boil—
to make your name known
to your adversaries,
and that the nations might tremble
at your presence! — Isaiah 64:1-2 (ESV)
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First Week of Advent: The Word (Scholar’s Compass)
Scripture
Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
for he will speak peace to his people,
to his saints;
but let them not turn back to folly.Surely his salvation is near to those
who fear him,
that glory may dwell in our land.-Â Psalm 85:8-9 (ESV)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made, that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. -Â John 1:1-5Â (ESV)
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