Theology That Bites Back
“Retrieve us all now from the dank and low dungeons
Of our dark desires, of our leprous wants
And usher us into the great marble palaces
Of Your high desires, that thirst that You give us.
In the Word we have read that at Your right hand
Is a river, a torrent, of infinite pleasure;
Help us to want and in wanting want that.
Help us to hunger and thirst for true righteousness.”
21 Prayers, pp. 49-50
“The unbelief of Israel brought the Gentiles in, and the belief of the Gentiles is going to bring the Jews back in. Now Paul says that all of this is a prophetic mystery, now revealed, and revealed in order that that Gentiles would not become conceited. Salvation is from the Jews (Jn. 4:22), and always will be.”
American Milk and Honey, pp. 142-143
Paul “did all of this because he was heading off a primitive seed form of antisemitism—believing Gentiles vaunting themselves over against unbelieving Jews. But his command is explicit: ‘Boast not against the branches’ (v. 18). ‘Be not high-minded but fear’ (v. 20). Antisemitism is therefore nothing less than disobedience to an express apostolic command.”
American Milk and Honey, p. 142
“Father, we want to be more than correct
We want more than ‘tiny, proper, and small.’
Enlarge us, I pray, so that we might begin
To see by faith’s eyes all You have promised.”
21 Prayers, p. 47
“We also request a full and glad readiness
To forgive any others for sins they’ve committed
Against us—our names, reputations, or lives.”
21 Prayers, p. 47
“Boast not against the Jews. Boast not against the unbelieving Jews. Boast not against the Jews who were plotting against Paul. Any why? Because they still have a role to play. There is a reason why Paul says the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable (Rom. 11:29).”
American Milk and Honey, p. 136
“So how do you explain the Jews then? They were the elect nation (Is. 45:4), and they were expending more than a little energy trying to kill the apostle Paul, as they had in fact killed the Elect One of God (Isa. 42:1), their own Messiah. It sure seems like something had separated them from the love God.”
American Milk and Honey, p. 135
“The Jews had stumbled because of a covenantal and ethnic presumption, and Paul cautions the Gentile Romans against committing the very same sin. What happened to the Sanhedrin at Jerusalem could certainly happen to the See of Rome. And why? Rome did not support the root, but rather the root Rome, and faith alone kept the sap flowing.”
American Milk and Honey, p. 135
“We know, our great Father, we cannot prevent
Money from doing what money will do,
But we can, in the meantime, be faithful stewards
With what You have given us, what You’ve bestowed.”
21 Prayers, p. 44
“If I knew how to do it, I would ask You for more,
I would ask for far more of Your grace overflowing.”
21 Prayers, p. 42
