Paul’s Use of Kephalē (“Head”) in Ephesians
There’s a consistent theme in how Paul used the word “head” in Ephesians. He used it 3X in head-body imagery signifying fullness, unity, etc.
March 29, 2025
13 Comments
Category: Christian Theology
(2) Submission & the Saviour in Ephesians 5
In part 2, I look at Christ’s role as the “Saviour of the body” and what this means for Paul’s words to wives in Ephesians 5:22-24 and to husbands in Ephesians 5:25ff.
May 5, 2024
17 Comments
A Note on the Mystery in Ephesians 5:31-32
What is the mystery in Eph 5:32? Here’s my quick take on “This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.”
March 3, 2024
22 Comments
“Paraclete” in Ancient Secular, Jewish, and Christian Texts
Was paraclete a military term as some claim? I look at ancient Greek texts to see how the word was used outside and within the New Testament.
January 20, 2024
8 Comments
What does “saved through childbearing” (1 Tim. 2:15) mean?
There are various interpretations of “she will saved through childbearing.” In this article, I explain how I understand the phrase.
October 30, 2023
37 Comments
Submission in 1 Corinthians 15:28 and in Marriage
The Son’s submission to the Father in 1 Cor. 15:28 does not inform our understanding of submission in marriage in the way some people argue. Here’s why.
September 14, 2023
17 Comments
Are the branches lifted up or taken away in John 15:2a?
John 15:2a is usually understood as being about unproductive branches being removed, but some propose a new way of interpreting this phrase.
September 1, 2022
30 Comments
Shekinah: God’s Immanent Presence
What does “shekinah” mean for Christians? Is this concept in the Bible? What, if anything, does “shekinah” tell us about God’s gender?
May 14, 2022
7 Comments
Who are the 144,000 and why are they all men?
Who are the 144,000 in Revelation 7 and 14? What do they symbolise? Are women really excluded from this group?
October 13, 2021
7 Comments
12+ Christian Theology Blogs that don’t Push Patriarchy
Here are 12 blogs on Christian theology and biblical studies written by evangelical scholars who don’t push a complementarian or patriarchal agenda.
February 4, 2021
12 Comments
The Women in Matthew’s Genealogy of Jesus
Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Uriah’s wife are the only women mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1. Why only these four women?
December 12, 2020
30 Comments
Hell (2): Eternal Torment, Eternal Fire, Eternal Death?
Several Bible verses refer to a future judgment involving eternal elements such as fire and worms. Do these verses speak of eternal conscious torment for the unrepentant?
July 19, 2016
47 Comments
Hell (1): Paul, James, and Jesus on Gehenna
Paul never mentions Gehenna (“hell”) in his letters. James mentions it once. Jesus mentions it several times. Is it a real place? Is it a place of torment for people?
July 17, 2016
66 Comments
Jesus, keep me near the cross
As followers of Jesus we need to keep our eyes on our risen and exalted Lord. But on this Good Friday, I’m praying using Fanny Crosby’s words, “Jesus, keep me near the cross.”
March 25, 2016
2 Comments
Is all sin equal in the eyes of God?
Have you heard people say that all sins (wrong doings) are the same before God? I have wondered about this belief. What does the Bible say about this?
October 22, 2015
3 Comments
Is Adam solely responsible for the first sin?
Does Romans 5:12–21 show that God holds only Adam, and not Eve, responsible for the first sin? How does Paul use the example of Adam in Romans 5 and 1 Corinthians 15?
August 9, 2015
46 Comments
The Virgin Mary Consoles Eve
I love this powerful image of Mary consoling Eve. Just look at their feet!
December 24, 2014
26 Comments
The Status of Christian Women, in a Nutshell
A short post on why Christian women, as well as Christian men, are sons of God. What does it mean to be an adopted son of God?
October 14, 2014
39 Comments
7 Books on Christian Doctrine without a Complementarian Edge
Are you looking for a systematic theology or a book on Christian doctrine that has been written by a scholar with an egalitarian or mutualist ideology? Here are a few good books you might want to add to your library.
September 4, 2014
28 Comments
Distinct Roles in the Trinity and in Marriage? (John 5:18-30)
Does the Trinity model distinct roles and separate spheres? Is there hierarchy and subordination in the Divine?
July 10, 2014
18 Comments
Making Sense of the Transfiguration
The accounts of the transfiguration of Jesus in the gospels are puzzling, and the point and purpose of the accounts are unclear. Perhaps this article may make its meaning clearer.
May 18, 2014
6 Comments
The Power of God’s Grace
Grace has sometimes been confused or conflated with the concept of mercy, but they are not the same thing. Read more about the power of grace that God gives us.
April 5, 2014
4 Comments
Blaming Eve Alone
Was Eve alone when the snake spoke to her? Here is a summary of Julie Parker’s essay, “Blaming Eve Alone: Translation, Omission, and Implications of עמה in Genesis 3:6b.”
January 23, 2014
24 Comments
Redemption and Family Responsibility: Boaz and Jesus
This post takes a brief look at the Hebrew word ga’al which means “redeem” and “act like a close relative.” This is what both Boaz and Jesus did.
January 22, 2014
2 Comments
Galatians 3:28: Our Identity in Christ & in the Church
Gal. 3:28 isn’t only referring to our identity/ status before God. It’s also about our identity/ status in the Christian community (the church).
December 12, 2013
7 Comments
The Passover Meal, the Seder, and the Eucharist
This article looks at the origins and development of the Passover meal as recorded in the Bible. It also looks at the Seder of early Judaism and the Eucharist of early Christianity.
June 29, 2013
3 Comments
The Kingdom of Heaven in the Here and Now and Future
In this post I share some Bible verses and thoughts about God’s kingdom in the here and now and future, and I briefly state the early Jewish understanding of the Kingdom of Heaven.
June 3, 2013
8 Comments
Is Jesus waiting for us?
Christians have been waiting almost 2000 years for Jesus to return to earth. But what if Jesus is waiting for us? Is he waiting for us to bring shalom?
March 5, 2013
17 Comments
A Thrill of Hope: Jesus’ First and Second Advents
What does oppression and the horrors of slavery in the song “O Holy Night” have to do with an innocent newborn baby in a manger?
December 24, 2012
6 Comments
The Righteous for the Unrighteous – 1 Peter 3:17-22
This passage is all about Jesus: Jesus, the triumphant victor. He has won the victory over sin and death through his death, the Righteous for the unrighteous, once and for all.
October 12, 2012
5 Comments
Holiness: Sacred Separation?
A visit to a beautiful chapel near Rotarua (NZ) highlighted to me that followers of Jesus are not separated, excluded, or prohibited from God’s holy presence. Rather, we are welcome.
September 28, 2012
No Comments
Who is the “head”?
This is a critique of Mary Kassian’s article “Sex in the Shadowlands” in which she applies the word “head” to more than God, Jesus, and husbands.
August 11, 2012
10 Comments
Paul’s Main Point in Ephesians 5:22–33
Ephesians 5:22-33 is written as a chiasm with a highlighted point at the centre of the passage. We misinterpret this passage if we miss this main point.
April 30, 2012
91 Comments
Jesus is no longer on a cross
Today I found out that some Roman Catholics believe that Jesus is eternally on the cross. What does the Bible, especially the book of Hebrews, say about this belief?
April 9, 2012
21 Comments
Hell (3): Lazarus, Tartarus, and Teeth-Gnashing
Does weeping and gnashing of teeth go on for eternity? Was Lazarus in hell? Where is Tartarus?
March 28, 2012
4 Comments
Was Jesus Poor?
Was Jesus poor? A few verses in the Gospels indicate that Jesus was not as poor as I have previously been led to believe.
March 17, 2012
9 Comments
Peace on Earth: A Christmas Plea
Was the declaration of “Peace on Earth” sung by the heavenly host for everyone? Where is this peace the angels sang about? Here is my Christmas plea.
December 26, 2011
1 Comment
Christmas Cardology 1: Introduction
In this series, I compare the story of Jesus’ nativity, as depicted on Christmas cards and in religious art, with what it says in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.
December 1, 2011
No Comments
Christmas Cardology 2: Mary’s Scandal and Favour
Cosy images on Christmas cards contrast with Mary’s potentially scandalous and risky situation of being pregnant and unmarried. How scandalous was it?
December 1, 2011
18 Comments
Christmas Cardology 3: Nazareth to Bethlehem
The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem can’t have been easy for pregnant Mary. She can’t always have been as serene as depicted on Christmas cards, or as lonely.
December 1, 2011
8 Comments
Christmas Cardology 4: Was Jesus born in a barn?
Christmas cards often show the newborn Jesus surrounded by farm animals. Was this really the case? And what is the significance of the “manger” mentioned three times in Luke chapter 2?
December 1, 2011
13 Comments
Christmas Cardology 5: When was Jesus born?
Was Jesus born on the 25th of December at the time of the winter solstice? Or was he born at the time of Spring lambing or even during the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles?
December 1, 2011
11 Comments
Christmas Cardology 6: The Virgin Mary
Most religious art portrays Mary as serene, shy, and even sombre. Are they accurate portrayals? Does the Bible teach that Mary remained a virgin?
December 1, 2011
15 Comments
Christmas Cardology 7: The Wise Men from the East
Who were the magi, the wise men from the east who worshipped the Christ child? The writings of Herodotus, Philo, and others shed light on their identity.
December 1, 2011
9 Comments
The Trinity and Marriage
Here are 4 reasons why I’m staying out of gender discussions that use the Trinity as a model for marriage.
October 28, 2011
30 Comments
Precious Redemption – 1 Peter 1:17–21
1 Peter 1:17-21 is one long sentence in the Greek text. In this single sentence, Peter tells his readers that their works will be judged. He also tells them about the precious cost of their redemption.
September 23, 2011
No Comments
Is God Male or Masculine?
God is often referred to with masculine pronouns and masculine terms in the Bible. Does this mean God is male or masculine?
June 22, 2011
54 Comments
At the Foot of the Cross?
Do we place our sins and troubles at the metaphorical “foot of the cross”? Or do we hand them over to God the Father through the real, resurrected, and exalted Jesus Christ?
June 14, 2011
12 Comments
Glory, Joy, and Suffering – 1 Peter 1:4-9
Peter reminds his audience of their glorious inheritance and that experiencing trials will prove faith which is of greater worth than gold.
May 14, 2011
No Comments
“Nous”: Using your Spiritual Noggin
Ever heard of the theological concept of “nous”? I decided to write a few lines about it.
April 19, 2011
2 Comments
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