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 Jobs, New Directions

It’s been a few months since I shared a personal and professional update. We have a lot of good news to report, and an invitation to a special event on September 1. Continue reading

Posted in Giffones in Lithuania, Travels | 1 Comment

Kennedy on “All Those Principles of Christianity”

For me, the “principles” of Christianity concentrate themselves so intensely on a certain, ineffable relational knowledge of a person—Jesus—that I am quickly disoriented when you try to prise away the moral and ethical teachings that more and more people are … Continue reading

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Finding Healing and Refuge

The ACNA Diocese of Pittsburgh asked me to write a blog post about my experience as minister-in-residence at Grace Anglican Church. Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 1 Comment

Theological Education in Missions

In this post, I want to highlight certain distinctions between different types of theological education (TE), while also presenting both the challenge and the rewards of investing in global theological education. My intended audience is mainly Western Christians, who might intuitively acknowledge that such investments are important, but might not understand many of the complexities–and the potential rewards for their own Western communities (besides the fruits of obedience to God). Continue reading

Posted in Bible-Theology, Giffones in Lithuania, Research, Travels | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Simply As Sojourners

For the Christians are distinguished from other men neither by country, nor language, nor the customs which they observe. For they neither inhabit cities of their own, nor employ a peculiar form of speech, nor lead a life which is marked out … Continue reading

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New Book: Economics Before Economics

A economist colleague of mine from the Czech Republic, Tomáš Evan, has just published a book of economic history, and I am listed as a coauthor (with another economist, Jonathan Warner) for contributions to two sections and some work editing the book overall. The project took about five years since Tomáš first approached me about being part of it, and the book ended up looking quite different than I expected when I agreed. Continue reading

Posted in Culture-Economics-Society, Research | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Sermon: Raised, Flesh and Bone (Luke 24:36–48)

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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Sermon: Beautiful Feet (John 13:1–17)

This is the audio (20:24, 14.0 MB) of a Maundy Thursday homily I preached at Redeemer Presbyterian Church (EPC) in Erie, PA, on March 28, 2024. The Scripture text is John 13:1–17. Other texts included Isaiah 6:1–8 and 52:7. Continue reading

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Sermon: The Gentle, Powerful Servant (Isaiah 42:1–9)

This is the audio (8:31, 3.9 MB) of a homily I gave at Grace Anglican Church, Grove City, PA, on March 25, 2024, the Monday of Holy Week. The Scripture text is Isaiah 42:1–9, which was read before I stood up to speak so it’s not on the recording. Continue reading

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Sermon: Revelation— What, How, and Why (2 Peter 1:16–21)

This is the audio (37:09, 17.0 MB) of a sermon I preached at a chapel service for students in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, on March 17, 2024. The Scripture text is 2 Peter 1:16–21. Continue reading

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