Author Archives: Benj

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.

Christopher Hitchens, 1949-2011

Posted on 17 December 2011 by Benj

In my thoughtful examination of my own religious perspective on the world, Hitchens was at times a key part of my “critical detour,” a challenging exercise, lifting me out of my navel-gazing stupor. Continue reading →

Posted in Culture-Economics-Society | Leave a comment

Article in PBU Today; Dr. Sam Hsu

Posted on 9 December 2011 by Benj

As the PBU family–all of us Dr. Hsu’s children in some sense–mourns his death, we look with pain and expectation to the resurrection. Between now and then, we will miss him, and many others whom we have lost and will yet lose. Yet YHWH loses none who call upon him. He sees the suffering of his children, and hears the groaning of the broken world that he created good–and he grieves with us. Continue reading →

Posted in Bible-Theology, Research | 1 Comment

Completing a Thesis

Posted on 5 December 2011 by Benj

Time, creativity, Sitzfleisch… Continue reading →

Posted in Research | 7 Comments

Unemployment: A Fable

Posted on 22 November 2011 by Benj

Once upon a time there was a man named Bob… Continue reading →

Posted in Culture-Economics-Society | 4 Comments

Lower Education?

Posted on 5 November 2011 by Benj

‘Students report that on average they spend “twelve hours [a week] socializing with friends, eleven hours using computers for fun, six hours watching television, six hours exercising, five hours on hobbies”—and thirteen hours a week studying.’ Continue reading →

Posted in Culture-Economics-Society | 3 Comments

Lamentations Presentation at Agora Conference

Posted on 2 November 2011 by Benj

My presentation for PBU’s Agora Conference last Saturday, “‘Unless You Have Utterly Rejected Us’: Lamentations as an Instrument of Community Renewal,” is now posted… Continue reading →

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Meyer on the Soteriological Character of Israel’s Election

Posted on 23 October 2011 by Benj

“Israel, in short, understood salvation in ecclesial terms…” Continue reading →

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Why I Wish Barack Obama Were King

Posted on 19 October 2011 by Benj

Government should be like a visit to a proctologist… Continue reading →

Posted in Culture-Economics-Society | 2 Comments

Hectic!

Posted on 17 October 2011 by Benj

Busy-ness… Continue reading →

Posted in Research, Travels | Leave a comment

The Ideology of Second Isaiah: Exclusive or Inclusive?

Posted on 2 October 2011 by Benj

Is there really class conflict in Isaiah 40-55? Gottwald says “Yes.” Continue reading →