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.

Was Samuel a “Nazirite”?

Posted on 8 September 2016 by Benj

In MT 1 Sam 1:11, Hannah vows to YHWH that a razor would never touch her son’s head (should YHWH give her a son). But the LXX (1 Kgdms 1:11) contains a plus: that her son would never drink wine … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible-Theology | 2 Comments

By Royal Mail from the UK Today…

Posted on 3 September 2016 by Benj

Available October 20. Pre-order your copy now!

Posted in Bible-Theology, Research | 1 Comment

Source Criticism as Interpretive Crutch

Posted on 1 September 2016 by Benj

“The point is not whether 1 Sam 31 and 2 Sam 1 originate from one source or two, but that this line of inquiry does not help us to understand the story. For regardless of its origin, the material has … Continue reading →

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Striving with Humans Forever

Posted on 25 August 2016 by Benj

My sister has been posting chapters from her book, A Wandering God Was My Father. Check out her site, and share with friends if you enjoy it! Here’s a brilliant excerpt from her latest chapter: As the god watched Hagar … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible-Theology | 2 Comments

Links: 23 August 2016

Posted on 23 August 2016 by Benj

The One Speech That Could Turn Donald Trump From Villain To Hero. The Aetna Mugging – WSJ. “As ObamaCare implodes, Democrats blame insurers, the Wall Street Journal writes in an editorial.” Get Out of Gun Control, Apple – The New York … Continue reading →

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OK, Everyone, Time to Pull Up Your Tithing App…

Posted on 21 August 2016 by Benj

I was at a birthday party for one of my son’s friends last week, and got into an interesting conversation about tithing. One of the moms explained that her church has provided a giving page on its website for tithing, … Continue reading →

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Links: 11 August 2016

Posted on 11 August 2016 by Benj

Solutions — Campaign Zero. All very important policy prescriptions for reducing violence and tensions between police and communities of color. In the same vein: Everyone Is Talking About This Photo From the Protests in Baton Rouge | TIME Voting Isn’t A … Continue reading →

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The Theology of Genealogy

Posted on 10 August 2016 by Benj

“Although moderns tend to regard genealogy as a type of science—a cataloging of people according to precise biological relationships—it can also function as social science, or even as art. Biblical genealogies do not simply assemble real or purported facts. They … Continue reading →

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What’s Up

Posted on 4 August 2016 by Benj

It’s been about nine weeks since my last update, and almost as long since the last substantial post here at THTW–though I have been sharing links and quotations here and there. June and July were quite busy, and August promises … Continue reading →

Posted in Research | 2 Comments

How John Roberts Begat Donald Trump

Posted on 3 August 2016 by Benj

Roberts essentially told would-be Trumpistas not to bother the courts with important issues, that if you want to beat Obama you have to get your own strongman—complete with pen, phone, and contempt for the Constitution. So they did, bypassing several … Continue reading →

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