Category Archives: πνεύμα

Atheists, Christians, the Pope, and Doing Good

Posted on May 24, 2013 by David Opderbeck

The headline of a recent Huffington Post article caught my eye:  “Pope Francis Says Atheists Who Do Good are Redeemed, Not Just Catholics.”  Another HuffPo article notes that “Atheists Like What They See in Pope Francis’ New Openness.”  What’s going … Continue reading →

Posted in Epistemology, Law and Policy, Missiology, Political Theology, ἐκκλησία, πνεύμα | Leave a comment

Job, Tragedy, Natural Disasters, Lament

Posted on May 23, 2013 by David Opderbeck

Tragedy in America brings a predictable set of cultural responses, a sort of cathartic theater.  News channels offer breathless on-scene reports, with helicopter shots of the devastation and interviews with survivors and family members of victims.  Celebrities send shout-outs of … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Studies, πνεύμα | 2 Comments

Paul: Love … All Things

Posted on March 22, 2013 by David Opderbeck

I’ve been reflecting lately on the Apostle Paul’s “love chapter,” 1 Corinthians 13, particular on verse 7.  Love, Paul says, “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (NASB).  What is the force of the term … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Studies, Spirituality, πνεύμα | 1 Comment

Paul’s Remarkable Comments to the Galatians: on Reputation

Posted on January 8, 2013 by David Opderbeck

In his long introduction to the letter to the Galatians, in chapters 1 and 2, the Apostle Paul recites his credentials as an Apostle and explains why he is writing the letter.  In short, there was a division in the … Continue reading →

Posted in βιβλία, πνεύμα | Leave a comment

Who Am I, that I Should Go to Pharaoh?

Posted on January 8, 2013 by David Opderbeck

I haven’t blogged in quite some time.  Partly that has been because I’ve been spending most of my theological energies on my dissertation, partly it’s been for other reasons.  One of those other reasons resonates with the title of this … Continue reading →

Posted in βιβλία, πνεύμα | 1 Comment

Poem: Theologian’s Lament

Posted on June 9, 2012 by David Opderbeck

Since we are always bumping up against the limits of what we can and cannot see, we must admit this discipline is sore, a horse hair shirt drawn tight against the skin, a flagellation of the lonely mind. Perhaps if … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, πνεύμα | Leave a comment

Poem: The Psalmist’s Profession of Uprightness

Posted on June 7, 2012 by David Opderbeck

“No one who has a haughty look and an arrogant heart will I endure.”  – Ps. 101:5 The King enthroned: a glorious sight! He sparkles in his ermine robes, his garnet rings, his crown. His holds his staff erect, above … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, πνεύμα | Leave a comment

Change and Grace

Posted on June 6, 2012 by David Opderbeck

I heard a story recently about a woman who had grown up Catholic in another country.  As the story is told, it was one of those Catholic upbringings — lots of guilt and obligation and rigid authority.  She came to … Continue reading →

Posted in ἐκκλησία, πνεύμα | 1 Comment