Author: Skip Moen, Ph.D.

  • At God’s Table – 2020

    As all of us know, 2020 has been a very difficult year, not just in terms of health restrictions but also in terms of the psychological and economic impact of these restrictions.  With that in mind, I’d like to share with you how these restrictions have affected my work and the work with the children…

  • Second Skin

    Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  Ephesians 6:11  NIV Full armor – In my dream I’m covered with some kind of black plastic tarry substance.  It tries to hold me down to the ground.  I try to fight it off, but no matter what…

  • Common Humanity

    They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.  Psalm 14:3 NASB Not even one – Psalm 14:3.  The corruption of men.  If you thought that things changed after the Messiah, well, you’d be wrong.  In Paul’s last letter he cites the same Davidic idea.  “as it…

  • Biblical Politics?

    Thus says the Lord, “Do not learn the way of the nations, and do not be terrified by the signs of the heavens although the nations are terrified by them;”  Jeremiah 10:2  NASB Nations – Have you considered “the way of the nations”?  I’m sure we’ve all assumed we know what Jeremiah meant.  He must have…

  • Inside Job

    Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.  Psalm 51:6 NASB Innermost being/ hidden part – Psalm 51 is infamous for its most controversial verse, number 5.  You probably know it from memory (“Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived…

  • Nothing to Wear

    Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  Ephesians 6:11  NIV Full armor – Body armor.  Every civilization has some form of personal physical protection.  Paul uses a term that was quite familiar to his audience.  After all, they observed the Roman legionnaire’s equipment daily.  The…

  • The Problem

    In the beginning . . . let him go up!  Genesis 1:1a – 2 Chronicles 36:23c  NASB In the beginning/ go up – These are the first and the last words of the Tanakh: be-rēʾ šît; yāâl.  In the beginning God assents to descend, voluntarily creating a universe with agents who are capable of resisting…

  • Unbreakable

    But the king will rejoice in God; everyone who swears by Him will glory, for the mouths of those who speak lies will be stopped.  Psalm 63:11 NASB Swears – If you want to tie someone down, what is the most powerful restraint you can use?  Certainly not rope.  Maybe steel shackles?  Titanium?  Nope, none of these will…

  • God of Slaughter

    They will be delivered over to the power of the sword; they will be a prey for foxes.  Psalm 63:10  NASB Delivered over – The Hebrew verb here is nāgar.  It literally means “to pour down,” like spilling water on the ground. According to TWOT, it is a word of mourning and judgment, occurring only ten times in…