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.

Beyond Defunding Planned Parenthood

Posted on 5 August 2015 by Benj

“If you are shocked by the recent videos, by the declaration of ‘It’s a baby!’ or ‘We have another boy!’ as technicians separate hearts, kidneys, spines, and lungs, and you don’t consider the fact that the causal agent here is legal abortion, then you’re missing the point entirely.” Continue reading →

Posted in Culture-Economics-Society | 2 Comments

Update: Giffones in Lithu- and Pennsylv-ania

Posted on 28 July 2015 by Benj

Big news. Continue reading →

Posted in Giffones in Lithuania | Tagged | 2 Comments

Chan on ‘Mother Church’

Posted on 17 July 2015 by Benj

“We are not saved as individuals first and then incorporated into the church; rather, to be a Christian is to be incorporated into the church by baptism and nourished with the spiritual food of the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist.” Continue reading →

Posted in Bible-Theology | Leave a comment

Links: 10 July 2015

Posted on 10 July 2015 by Benj

This week’s general theme seems to be the so-called “Millennial” generation, of which I am a member. Continue reading →

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Titles, Jobs, and Self-Identity

Posted on 8 July 2015 by Benj

Academia changes your name: you are now “Doctor ____.” No other profession does that except the church or certain government positions. It’s like you’ve been “ordained,” “installed,” “confirmed,” or “sworn-in” as a member of an eternal order: The Order Of Those Who Know More About One Thing Than Anyone Else In The World. Continue reading →

Posted in Culture-Economics-Society, Giffones in Lithuania | 2 Comments

Sermon: “The Wrong Kind of Glory”

Posted on 4 July 2015 by Benj

Paul speaks to the Corinthian church about this impulse to gain the respect and admiration of others, and to have that respect live on beyond our earthly days. He speaks to them harshly but playfully, even sarcastically, because their idea of glory and respect is so skewed away from what it should be. Continue reading →

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Links: 2 July 2015

Posted on 2 July 2015 by Benj

The purpose of my “Links” series is to provide interesting and informative reading material so that my readers might think hard, and think well (hmm, has a nice ring to it). It should go without saying that I don’t endorse … Continue reading →

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Sermon: “A Future and a Hope?”

Posted on 1 July 2015 by Benj

The danger in taking the promises in Jeremiah 29:11 out of context and applying them directly to our lives is that we can so easily replace God’s plans, God’s future, and God’s hope with our plans, our future, and our hope. And yet, when we accept God’s plans for our future, we can see that they are infinitely better than our own plans. Continue reading →

Posted in Bible-Theology | 2 Comments

Too Soon? (or, When Is It OK to Comment on Tragedy?)

Posted on 20 June 2015 by Benj

Both gun rights advocates and gun control advocates use shootings as an opportunity to further their ideas. How soon is too soon for advocacy, and how would we know? Continue reading →

Posted in Bible-Theology, Culture-Economics-Society | 2 Comments

Links: 5 June 2015

Posted on 5 June 2015 by Benj

I haven’t posted in a few weeks, so I have accumulated more links to share. Think hard, think well! Culture/Society: On conservative religious activism, the numbers speak for themselves – The Washington Post. What is Marriage to Evangelical Millennials? | … Continue reading →

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