God's Growth Plan (Acts 6:1-7)

This past weekend I had the privilege of preaching at Grace Polaris Church in Westerville, Ohio. The title of my message was "God's Growth Plan" and the text was Acts 6:1-7. You can find the video of that message here.

Review of She Must and Shall Go Free

It is both a strange and humbling experience to have something you have written reviewed by someone you have never met. Yesterday, a review of my published dissertation She Must and Shall Go Free: Paul's Isaianic Gospel in Galatians was published in Themelios 37.1. You can read the review here.

The reviewer, John Anthony Dunne, was kind enough to send me an advance copy to ensure that he represented my views fairly. He was more than fair; in fact, he is exceptionally gracious when he writes:

Overall, Harmon's book is an exciting and informative read. His explanations are insightful, and he includes many helpful charts comparing the MT and LXX of Isaiah with Pauline texts. Although a few of Harmon's suggestions are not fully convincing to me, he succeeds in demonstrating how impactful Isaiah was for Paul as he wrote his letter to the Galatians. She Must and Shall Go Free is a must-read for those serious about Galatians and Paul's use of the OT.

To God be the glory for Dunne's kind words and any usefulness my work might have for understanding God's Word better!

Mondays with Marty

In this week's installment from Off the Record with Martin Luther, Luther draws some interesting conclusions from creation and the entrance of sin into the world:

1162. We were created under the open sky; and the fact that we now live under roofs and in houses is because of sin. And it is just like a sickroom with us, with many pans around and bandages. That is, we must have chambers, living rooms, houses, food, drink, etc. Earlier, before the fall of Adam, we were like young spirits, who ran about naked. At that time, we didn't need carpenters, masons, houses, etc.. (p. 253-254)

DISCLAIMER: The views reflected in this quote do not necessarily reflect those of the author of this blog. This quote is shared in the interest of edification, education, and/or humor.

Mondays with Marty

In this week's installment from Off the Record with Martin Luther, Luther describes heretics:

1970 A heretic is someone who changes the Word in some manner, more correctly, a worshiper of idols; from the practice of praying to this or that one for this or that, all which he has thought up. A mad prophet is a clear and appropriate expression to apply to a heretic. (p. 328)

DISCLAIMER: The views reflected in this quote do not necessarily reflect those of the author of this blog. This quote is shared in the interest of edification, education, and/or humor.

Mondays with Marty - Special Edition

Instead of our usual installment from Off the Record with Martin Luther, today I am linking to a new site that various friends have pointed me towards. It's called The Lutheran Insulter. Every time you refresh the page, a new pointed comment from Martin Luther appears. WARNING: sometimes the language is a bit salty!

DISCLAIMER: The views reflected in this quote do not necessarily reflect those of the author of this blog. This quote is shared in the interest of edification, education, and/or humor.

Mondays with Marty

In this week's installment from Off the Record with Martin Luther, Luther comments on the danger of allegories:

4448 It is dangerous to play with allegories in Christian instruction. Mostly such words ring sweetly in our ears, but there is nothing behind them. They serve the preachers very well, when they know nothing about the subject or the text. When they do not know the material, and fall into embarrassment, then they grasp for allegories, with which nothing certain is taught. That is why we must get used to sticking with the Holy Text. (p. 226)

DISCLAIMER: The views reflected in this quote do not necessarily reflect those of the author of this blog. This quote is shared in the interest of edification, education, and/or humor.

Mondays with Marty

In this week's installment from Off the Record with Martin Luther, Luther comments on the wonder of God's creation of human beings:

2578 He took his infant son Martin on his lap, and said: Oh, to think that God can put such a fine black-haired angel in such a piece of flesh from a stinking sack! It seems to me like taking a pancake and sticking an angel in it. But it is a real art to make a nose, mouth, hands and feet out of of a piece of flesh in a mother's womb. (p. 265)

DISCLAIMER: The views reflected in this quote do not necessarily reflect those of the author of this blog. This quote is shared in the interest of edification, education, and/or humor.