Reworking the Paradigm

Come near me, redeem me.  Because of my enemies, ransom me.  Psalm 69:19 [Hebrew Bible]  Robert Alter Ransom – Let’s examine the implicit paradigm in this verse.  Remember that the true role of the exegete is to interpret the text according to the thought patterns of the original audience and author.  That means making crystal…

Saving Grace

But God will redeem my soul from the [a]power of [b]Sheol, for He will receive me. Selah  Psalm 49:15 NASB Will redeem – “I am redeemed,” said the new convert.  “I am free at last.”  Is that how you felt when you realized your sins were forgiven?  Was there an emotional experience of relief?  Did you feel like a new…

SOL (Sorry, Out of Luck)

No one can by any means redeem another or give God a ransom for him—  Psalm 49:7 NASB By any means – We looked at this verse some time ago.[1] On the surface, it completely overturns the penal theory of atonement, a theory that was articulated by Reformation theology and is typical of evangelical thinking today.  “Jesus paid it all” is a…