Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched? - Proverbs 6:27-28 (NIV) Reflection While reading in the Proverbs, I encountered the above passage. It is in a section that deals with adultery. After re-reading that passage, I asked myself, “Why didn't the author quote from the Law?” There is a very clear statement about adultery in the Ten Commandments and a number of other laws that deal with this sin. Proverbs here makes no … [Read more...] about Scholar’s Compass Navigating Wisdom: How I Discovered Wisdom Literature
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Book Review: Hear, My Son
Proverbs 1-9 is an extended address on the value of wisdom from a father or elder teacher to a son or student that introduces the wisdom sayings of the remainder of Proverbs. In Hear, My Son: Teaching & Learning in Proverbs 1-9, Daniel J. Estes has taken a novel approach to this literature and written a monograph exploring the philosophy and practice of teaching and learning reflected in this instruction given in these chapters. It is part of New Studies in Biblical Theology (InterVarsity Press) series of … [Read more...] about Book Review: Hear, My Son
Book Review: Jesus The Sage
My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:2-3, NIV). A number of years ago, C. S. Lewis framed the Liar, Lunatic, Lord argument that asserted that Jesus could not possibly have been merely a good teacher–either he lied about his own identity which would make him not good, he was deluded … [Read more...] about Book Review: Jesus The Sage
Devotions: Wisdom – Timing
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." (Galatians 6:9, 10) Christ is risen! He has risen indeed! Timing is sometimes everything in sharing your faith with others. The word "opportunity" in Galatians 6:10 is a special Greek word--kairos. It refers to the "right time" for something to happen or take place. It means we wait for the "right … [Read more...] about Devotions: Wisdom – Timing
Devotions: “In-spite-of” Wisdom
"For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new. So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious." (Acts 17:20-22) Wisdom from God comes in many forms. Sometimes it provides us amazing answers to challenges about our faith. Other times God provides opportunities to … [Read more...] about Devotions: “In-spite-of” Wisdom