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.

Links: 19 August

Posted on 19 August 2011 by Benj

This week has been crazy, since after I agreed to preach twice next weekend at PVURC, my boss asked us to work overtime on Friday night and Saturday. A couple of long days could pay for a nice safari when … Continue reading →

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Creation vs. Flood

Posted on 11 August 2011 by Benj

I was bored at work yesterday, and so I put together a chart comparing certain narrative elements of the first Genesis Creation account (1:1-2:4) and the account of the Noahic flood (7:17-9:17). Creation/Flood Comparision It’s fascinating that in the final … Continue reading →

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Question about Abraham

Posted on 10 August 2011 by Benj

I’m listening through Genesis at work, and I re-read a quotation from Adele Berlin: "Narrative is a form of representation. Abraham in Genesis is not a real person any more than a painting of an apple is a real fruit. … Continue reading →

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Links: 4 August

Posted on 4 August 2011 by Benj

A helpful reminder that political gridlock can be good. How many of us read Scripture this way? How many of us aspire to do so? I wonder if this relates to the debate I’ve been having over at the Reformed … Continue reading →

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Isaiah 7: Two Kings

Posted on 3 August 2011 by Benj

“Two Kings” is a sermon I preached at Preakness Valley United Reformed Church in Wayne, NJ, on July 31, 2011. The text is Isaiah 7. Here is the MP3 audio (29:33, 27.7 MB), and an excerpt: Ahaz is a type … Continue reading →

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Hebrews 10: Approaching the Throne

Posted on 1 August 2011 by Benj

“Approaching the Throne” is a sermon I preached at Preakness Valley United Reformed Church in Wayne, NJ, on July 31, 2011. The text is Hebrews 10:19-31. Here is the MP3 audio (30:29, 28.6MB), and an excerpt: We avoid people when … Continue reading →

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Coïncidence? I think not!

Posted on 31 July 2011 by Benj

I noticed a literary connection in the court-story books of the Writings… In Esther 4: Then Esther spoke to Hathach and commanded him to go to Mordecai and say, “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces … Continue reading →

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Update: Birthdays, Baptism, Papers, Preaching

Posted on 30 July 2011 by Benj

I’ve been light in the blogging department lately. July has turned out to be quite a busy month. We went to Montreal from Canada Day to Independence Day (July 1-4) to visit Josh and Bekah. Pictures are up on Facebook. … Continue reading →

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Lament Over the Destruction of Sumer and Ur

Posted on 18 July 2011 by Benj

LSUr begins with the decision of the high divine council to bring calamity upon Sumer and Ur… Continue reading →

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Signs You’re At a Megachurch

Posted on 12 July 2011 by Benj

I was cleaning out some old files, and discovered this list I made up for a chapel sermon back in 2005: Benj’s Top Ten Signs You’ve Visited a Megachurch 10. You park in section N3. 9. You take the shuttle … Continue reading →

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