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.

New Publication on the NT’s Use of OT

Posted on 13 May 2025 by Benj

I’m pleased to announce a new open-access article:

Benjamin D. Giffone, “Descending to Bring Up ‘The Knowledge of the Son of God’: The Descent–Ascent Use of Psalm 68:18 in Ephesians 4:8–10, Compared with Romans 10:6–8’s use of Deuteronomy 30.” Religions 2025, 16(5), 578; DOI: 10.3390/rel16050578. Special Issue: “Resurrection and New Creation in Ephesians.” Continue reading →

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Sermon: Why Have You Abandoned Me? (Mark 15:33–41)

Posted on 9 May 2025 by Benj

This is the audio (24:30, 23.0 MB) of a sermon I preached at the Mill Street (5th-12th grades) campus of Grove City Christian Academy on May 9, 2025.

This the penultimate sermon in a series on the Gospel of Mark. The Scripture was read before I came up to speak: Mark 15:33–41. I also quote extensively from Psalm 22. Continue reading →

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Book of Ephesians: 2. Chosen in Love, For the Praise of His Glory

Posted on 8 May 2025 by Benj

This is the audio (26:21; 18.0 MB) of a Sunday sermon I preached at Redeemer Presbyterian Church (EPC) in Erie, PA, on May 4, 2025. The main text was Ephesians 1:1–14. Other texts included Psalm 33:1–12, and Deuteronomy 7:6–8 and 26:5–10. Continue reading →

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Sermon: Eternal Separation from God

Posted on 8 May 2025 by Benj

This is the audio (21:22, 16.9 MB) of a sermon I preached at the Madison Avenue (elementary) campus of Grove City Christian Academy back on December 8, 2023. The audience was preschool through 4th-grade students, and my texts were excerpts from Jeremiah 18–19. Continue reading →

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Book of Ephesians: 1. The Word Spread Widely and Grew in Power

Posted on 5 May 2025 by Benj

This is the audio (28:13; 19.3 MB) of a Sunday sermon I preached at Redeemer Presbyterian Church (EPC) in Erie, PA, on April 27, 2025. The main text was Acts 19–20. Other texts included Luke 24:13–27 and Psalm 96. Continue reading →

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Gospel of Luke: 14. Raised, Flesh and Bone

Posted on 4 May 2025 by Benj

This is the audio (33:15, 22.8 MB) of a sermon I preached at Redeemer Presbyterian Church (EPC) in Erie, PA, on April 14, 2024. The Scripture text is Luke 24:36–48. Also read earlier were Psalm 16 and Isaiah 45:15–22. Continue reading →

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Gospel of Luke: 13. The First Fruits of Resurrection

Posted on 3 May 2025 by Benj

This is the audio (30:02; 20.6 MB) of an Easter Sunday sermon I preached at Redeemer Presbyterian Church (EPC) in Erie, PA, on April 20, 2025. The main texts were Luke 24:1–12 and 1 Corinthians 15:20–28. The other text was Psalm 118:1–2, 14–24. Continue reading →

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Good Friday — Isaiah 53:7–12: He Did Not Open His Mouth

Posted on 2 May 2025 by Benj

This is the audio (8:07, 7.5 MB) of a meditation delivered at an interdenominational Good Friday service in Grove City, PA, on April 18, 2025. The Scripture text is Isaiah 53:7–12, which was read before I stood up to speak so it’s not on the recording. Continue reading →

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Gospel of Luke: 12. Among You As the One Who Serves

Posted on 1 May 2025 by Benj

This is the audio (12:53; 8.85 MB) of a Maundy Thursday meditation I gave at Redeemer Presbyterian Church (EPC) in Erie, PA, on April 17, 2025. The main text was Luke 22:24–30. The other reading was Psalm 116. Continue reading →

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Gospel of Luke: 11. He Looked for Justice, But Behold, Bloodshed

Posted on 30 April 2025 by Benj

This is the audio (26:37; 18.2 MB) of a Palm Sunday sermon I preached at Redeemer Presbyterian Church (EPC) in Erie, PA, on April 13, 2025. The main text was Luke 20:9–18. Other texts included Psalm 24:7–10; Luke 19:28–44; Zechariah 9:9–10; 12:7–13:1. Continue reading →

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