Author Archives: Benj

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About Benj

I’m a native North Jerseyan, transplanted to Pennsylvania...lived and taught in Eastern Europe for six years…Old Testament professor, author, minister, musician, liturgist…husband to Corrie…father to Daniel and Elizabeth.

More Recent Appearances on #OneFear podcast

Posted on 20 November 2023 by Benj

I’ve been back on my friend Dom’s podcast, #OneFear, with a couple of new episodes last week and this week: S3E27 – Repaired Images S3E28 – Exploring 1 Samuel 4-6 Dom and his wife, Danielle, host #OneFear. They do a … Continue reading →

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Conference Papers: How to Present Them Slightly Less Badly

Posted on 20 November 2023 by Benj

Young scholars often present too long and focus too much on method and background, to show that they’ve done their homework. This misses an opportunity, however, to test out key aspects of your hypothesis in a room full of smart people. Continue reading →

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Mary Harrington, “The Contraceptive Tetrad”

Posted on 19 November 2023 by Benj

"…No living human Other ever perfectly reflects you back; a relationship is not just about natural compatibility but growing into compatibility. By contrast, AI girlfriend/boyfriend/hentaifriend/otherkinfriend will reflect your desires back better and more completely than any individual human could. Thus … Continue reading →

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Update: Waiting in Hope

Posted on 7 November 2023 by Benj

Back in July, I shared here that our family had entered an unanticipated time of transition. I had encountered such a disagreement with the elders at our little church in Grove City that I felt compelled to resign. A lot has happened in the four months since that last update—many good things, even as we wait to discern what God has for us after this school year… Continue reading →

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New Publication on Isaiah, Kings and Chronicles

Posted on 2 November 2023 by Benj

The follow publication was just published online, open-access: Giffone, Benjamin D. “Toward a Better ‘Hezekiah’: The Literary Structuring of Isaiah 1–39.” Old Testament Essays 36.2 (2023): 471–489. DOI: 10.17159/2312-3621/2023/v36n2a10. It doesn’t look like the DOI is working immediately, but you … Continue reading →

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Talking Ezekiel 20 on the #OneFear podcast

Posted on 17 October 2023 by Benj

I recently appeared on my friend Dom’s podcast, #OneFear, talking about Ezekiel 20. Check out our episode: https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/3HOt2ior1qn5IWzBiFDIHW?utm_source=generator Dom and his wife, Danielle, host #OneFear. They do a variety of sorts of episodes, all focused around understanding and applying scripture. … Continue reading →

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What Did Isaiah See in His Vision? Other Deities, and Divine Accommodation

Posted on 6 September 2023 by Benj

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how the Bible portrays the experience of other ‘gods’ besides YHWH. It’s been a subject of fascination for me, especially since I encountered the work of Michael Heiser, who sadly passed away earlier … Continue reading →

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A Strange and Unexpected Turn

Posted on 30 July 2023 by Benj

Today was my last Sunday as pastor of Center Church in Grove City. Continue reading →

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Sermon Series on Ephesians

Posted on 24 July 2023 by Benj

I just completed a sermon series at Center Church (EPC) on the book of Ephesians. Here are all the sermons on the church’s YouTube pages (video links are queued to the start of the sermon):

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Maundy Thursday Devotional: Lovely Feet

Posted on 11 April 2023 by Benj

But, why the feet, Peter asks? Why not wash the whole of me? As I was mulling this over, some examples from the Old Testament came to mind (as they often do for me!)—there are places that describe cleansing one part of the body as symbolic or sufficient for cleansing (or consecrating) the whole person…. Continue reading →

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