The traditional reading of 2 Kings 2:23–25 assumes that Elisha was mocked by small children. Yet the Hebrew words qāṭān and naʿar have a much broader range of meaning. They can describe people considerably older than the children modern readers normally imagine. The Hebrew text therefore does not, by itself, require the traditional picture of innocent children.
Did Elisha Really Massacre Children? – Revision (2) Read More »
The story of Elisha and the bears is often read as a simple account of a prophet punishing children for mocking his baldness. But the event took place at Bethel, a city with a deeply significant religious and political history. Once that setting is taken seriously, the story raises a different question: who were the people who confronted Elisha?
Did Elisha Really Massacre Children? – Revision (1) Read More »
Psalm 1 opens with the familiar words, “Blessed is the one.” Yet the Hebrew word translated as “blessed” is not the one most readers expect. By choosing ashrei rather than barak, the psalmist introduces a profound theological vision: true blessedness is found not merely in receiving God’s gifts, but in living in a personal relationship with God Himself.
Psalm 1 – What Does It Mean to Be Blessed? / part (1) Read More »
A quiet yet piercing reflection on the weight of living, inspired by Jesus of Montreal.
This piece confronts the hidden difficulty of everyday existence and offers a compassionate reimagining of how God receives those who could not endure life to the end.
Why Is Living So Hard? — A Question from Jesus of Montreal Read More »
Was Lucifer really the original name of Satan? This essay explores the Latin origin of the word Lucifer, its appearance in the Vulgate, and the historical process through which it became associated with the figure of Satan.
Was Lucifer Really Satan’s Name? – part (3) Read More »
For decades, the United States has demonstrated overwhelming military superiority across Asia and the Middle East. Yet history raises an uncomfortable question: Why does military victory so often fail to become political success? From Korea to Vietnam, Afghanistan to Iran, are repeating patterns quietly reshaping global instability?
Repeating Patterns — Why Does America Struggle to Understand Asia? Read More »
How did the biblical concept of Satan evolve into the embodiment of evil? This essay traces the historical development of the figure of Satan during the Second Temple Period and explores how Jewish history shaped one of Christianity’s most familiar theological concepts.
How Did Satan Become the Embodiment of Evil? – part (2) Read More »
Jesus did not bless those who merely enjoy peace, but those who actively create it. This sermon explores the biblical meaning of shalom, the significance of being called the children of God, and the Christian calling to proclaim and embody God’s peace in a broken world.
Blessed Are the Peacemakers (sermon) Read More »
Did the Hebrew word satan originally refer to the devil? Surprisingly, the Old Testament presents a much broader picture. This essay explores the Hebrew origin of the term, its Old Testament usage, and the historical foundations that shaped one of the Bible’s most misunderstood concepts.
What Did Satan Originally Mean? – part (1) Read More »
Peacemakers do not merely enjoy peace; they create it. They proclaim the true nature of God’s shalom and work to extend its blessings to others. This is the calling Jesus places before His followers.
Blessed Are the Peacemakers – PART 3 Read More »