Author: Skip Moen, Ph.D.

  • Who Is That Masked Man? (2)

    BySkip Moen, Ph.D.

    Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.  Genesis 32:24  NASB Man – In one of the strangest verses in Scripture, no clue is provided about the identity of the “man” who wrestles with Jacob.  He suddenly appears.  No history.  No motivation.  No name.  We are immediately cast into the world…

  • Gaudi in Vercelli

    BySkip Moen, Ph.D.

    Antoni Gaudi’s architecture challenged the idea that buildings needed geometrical design.  If you’ve visited Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, you know what I’m talking about.  On my trip to Vercelli, Italy, this reflection reminded me that twisted can also be beautiful.  The contrast with Greek columns offers two perspectives at once.

  • Who Is That Masked Man? (1)

    BySkip Moen, Ph.D.

    Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.  Genesis 32:24  NASB Left alone – “Man is meaningless without God,”[1] wrote Abraham Heschel.  He could have written, “Man is totally alone without God.”  That’s more than just man is alone.  We all know we are alone.  Yes, of course, we have friends,…

  • The Search

    BySkip Moen, Ph.D.

    Then the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?”  Genesis 3:9 NASB Where are you? – Hey, it’s Friday.  You have some time to actually study this verse.  So I’ve collected a few pointers about the importance of God’s question.  Can I make a suggestion?  Review each of these before you…

  • What God Knows (2)

    BySkip Moen, Ph.D.

    For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.  Psalm 103:14  NASB Frame – God knows we are dust, but I wonder if we do.  We read the words.  We know the story from Genesis 2, but I don’t think we’ve let the truth sink in.  Well, maybe you have.  Maybe you’ve really come…

  • Heschel on Prayer

    BySkip Moen, Ph.D.

    It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.” Luke 11:1  NASB Teach us to pray – Before we read the refracted brilliance of Heschel’s remarks about prayer, we should…

  • What God Knows (1)

    BySkip Moen, Ph.D.

    For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.  Psalm 103:14  NASB He Himself – Does God know you?  All about you?  Everything?  “Of course, He does,” you answer.  “He’s omniscient.  He knows everything.”  If that’s true, then why does the Psalmist use a construction that effectively underlines the point?  Why doesn’t he write,…

  • Translations

    BySkip Moen, Ph.D.

    The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8  NASB Stands forever – If Isaiah is right, then one of the really important questions is, “What does God’s word say?”  What are these words that will stand forever?  For the answer we turn to the Bible.  Well, actually, we…