Author: Skip Moen, Ph.D.

  • The Problem (1)

    And the Lord said, “The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave. Genesis 18:20 NASB Sin – Sin is a problem. It’s not just a moral problem or a spiritual problem or a theological problem. Sin is an etymological problem. Why? Because the meaning of the terms used…

  • Paul and Paradigms

    Anders Runesson’s paper[1] on the influence of paradigm assumptions for understanding Paul is a treasury of insights into the structure of paradigms. Runesson shows that the Christian assumption present in the theological paradigm that Paul established a new religion founded on the teaching of Christ, a religion that was opposed to “Jewish legalism,” is not…

  • Church Business

    But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word. Acts 6:4 NASB Ministry – Two criteria. Just two. Prayer and “the ministry of the word.” The first should be obvious (although all that is involved in the word “prayer” might not be obvious to us[1]). The second requires some investigation….

  • Moses and the Rabbis

    Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Matthew 18:21 NASB Seven times – So how many? Don’t be so quick to answer with the mistaken “seventy times seven” or the spiritualized “forever.” Taken out of context, such quick…

  • Hurry Up and Wait

    The mind of the hasty will discern the truth, and the tongue of the stammerers will hasten to speak clearly. Isaiah 32:4 NASB Hasty – First we need to clear up the footnotes. If you read this verse in the NASB, you will see footnotes for the words “mind” and “truth.” There should probably be…

  • Fishers of Men

    … And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men.” Luke 5:10 NASB Do not fear – How many times have you heard someone refer to this verse as the basis of evangelism? “If you follow Jesus, you will be a fisher of men.” Perhaps that’s true, but…