Q&R with Brad Jersak: What does “children of wrath” mean? (Ephesians 2:3)
Question I have a question about Ephesians 2:3 and the meaning of one of the words that Paul uses in it. The Greek word is “phusis/phýsis” and it’s translated as “nature.” Here’s the verse: “…among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the […]
The Great Descent – “A Harrowing Exit” – Bradley Jersak
THE GREAT DESCENT The Law, the Psalms and the Prophets forecast it. The Gospels and the Epistles allude to it. Ancient Christian hymns, liturgies and poetry announce it. It permeates both Eastern and Western theological tradition. It even has its own line in the Apostles’ Creed. But only recently has Christ’s conquest of Hades caught […]
A More Beautiful Gospel
“I fantasize about a world where kids are taught the Bible by people chiefly inspired by poets, philosophers, artists, novelists, musicians and almost never by those who only knew how to consume it as history and law and propaganda.” -Vincent Lin “Capture people with Beauty, then captivate them with the Good, then lead them to […]
OPEN TABLE / SSU – CONVERSATION ON HEBREWS
OFFICIAL INVITATION – SSU will be offering this fall’s OTC course on Hebrews for Grad Studies credit (cost, approx. $1000 USD on top of the OTC fee). To register, first sign up for the class through OpenTableConference.com/hebrews-class. Next, please email Debbie at registrar@ssu.ca and say, “I would like to register for Hebrews BIB5728 this fall. […]
Q&R: Isaiah 45:7 – Does God create evil?
QUESTION What do you make of Isaiah 45:7? It seems to say that God is the cause of evil and calamity? KJV: “I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.” NASB: “The One forming light and creating darkness, causing well-being and creating disaster; I […]
Q&R: Titans, Tartarus and 2 Peter 2:4 – Bradley Jersak
Question Can you explain to me the passage from 2 Peter 2:4? Who were these angels that sinned? And how he cast them into hell, since hell would not be a geographical place of conscious eternal torment? “For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in […]
Amid the Brain Fog of Wartime – Confessions of a ‘Doom-Scroller’ – Bradley Jersak
On Ash Wednesday, 2022, I write from a window-facing easy-chair, glancing over my laptop at the Northern Flicker pecking seed from a feeder, grasping for moments of stillness of heart. As an educator, I’m faced with the challenge of grading book reports and prepping lessons amid the brain fog of wartime, having spent an hour […]
The Cross in David’s Confession – Psalm 51 – Bradley Jersak
The Cross in David’s Confession – Psalm 51 – Bradley Jersak As I’ve stated in A More Christlike Word and previous articles, the Psalms often begin with what seem to be musical superscriptions. These ‘liner notes’ also frequently signal Messianic content, especially with the words, “To the end” (mistranslated “for the choir director” in many Bibles). “To […]
The Church: All of Creation, Seen from the End – Bradley Jersak on John Behr
A few years ago, I asked myself how I’d like to continue my studies, both in terms of professional development and also deepening my spiritual journey on the Jesus Way. I’m grateful to say that path now includes adopting Fr. John Behr of Aberdeen University as a valued teacher and friend. Although we share the […]
From “Woe!” to “Whoa!” – Bradley Jersak
I am troubled when I read Scripture’s heaviest divine warning—Woe to you!—especially when it comes from the mouth of Jesus Christ, and more so when I hear it land in my own heart. Christ brings out the ‘woe’ in the following passages (though some are duplicates): Matthew 11:20-21, 18:7, 23:13-16, 23-29, 26:24, Mark 14:21, Luke […]