The Trouble with the Gibeonites

Throughout history the Orthodox Church has made concession for various things which “contradict” canon law, or canon law itself makes provision for things which some people feel are not quite biblical. This odd relationship between rules and reality, between divine intent and human weakness, between the absolute and the pastoral, is as old as scripture …

Cry in the Beginnings so You Can Smile in the End

When the whole nation of Israel entered the Promised Land, God provided a liturgy for the reaffirmation of the Covenant (found back in Deut. 28) complete with 49 (7 x 7) blessings and 49 curses, by the count of the Rabbis. We find the reaffirmation liturgy in Josh. 9. The imagery of the location is …

Follow God, But Not Too Close

Joshua gives the people of Israel an interesting bit of advice before they cross the Jordan in order to take over the Promised Land: follow God, but not too close. The  advice is from Joshua 2:4, “ Follow [the ark of the covenant], so that you may know the way you should go, for you …

What’s Your Verse?

My parents were deeply involved with the Navigators before the Navs were the Navigators and were still a home Bible Study, occasionally meeting in my parents’ living room. I went to several summer camps at Eagle Lake, the Navs' boys summer camp facility in Colorado. I also went all the way through the Topical Memory …

Failures, Bad Habits, and Addictions: From Shameful Baggage to Holy Gifts

“Devoted to the Lord for destruction.” Now that’s an interesting phrase! and it’s in Joshua: For the Lord has given you the city. The city and all that is in it shall be devoted to the Lord for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall live, because …