Wyatt Graham

Faith | Books | Culture

Psalm 118 in Mark

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Public Domain {{PD-1923}}
Public Domain {{PD-1923}}

Psalm 118 is one of the most important psalms for our understanding of the messiah, and it is one of the most cited Old Testament passages in the New Testament. Yet few people, I would imagine, know what Psalm 118 says or understand what it communicates about the messiah. It is a forgotten yet integral passage for Christian theology. Everyone knows the song: “Hosanna, Hosanna on the highest” or knows of Jesus as the cornerstone. But few know the source of these words or the theology behind these phrases, sourced in Psalm 118. As a small step to Psalm 118’s rehabilitation, I offer an overview of Psalm 118’s use in Mark’s Gospel.

Hyukjung Kwon identifies four instances where Mark references Psalm 118: Mark 8:31-33, Mark 11:1-11, Mark 12:1-12, and Mark 14:26 (2007: 119). When Mark quotes Psalm 118, he cites one of the many Greek translations that were available to him. I use the term LXX to refer to these old Greek translations of the Bible.* [Read more…] about Psalm 118 in Mark

Why I Wouldn’t Baptize Babies

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The history of Christianity has favoured paedobaptism—that act of baptizing an infant who belongs to a Christian family. This doesn’t mean the earliest church always baptized their infants. During the fourth and fifth centuries, Christians would often wait to be baptized until later in life as fire insurance. Even Gregory of Nazianzus, known to the eastern church as “The Theologian” and framer of the language of the dual nature of Christ, was baptized late into his life. I would also suggest that the Didache a assumes credobaptist position—the act of baptizing someone on the confession of faith. In any case, the history of Christianity does not define dogma, though it definitely helps shapes it. The Bible alone is the final authority on such matters.

And I would argue that a prophecy of Jeremiah drives home the conclusion that the church should only baptize those who confess faith, which would not include infants.  [Read more…] about Why I Wouldn’t Baptize Babies

Psalm 108

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A Song, a mizmor of David:

My heart stands firm, O God.

I will sing and will play music, indeed, to my glory!

Awake, o harp and lyre.

I will awaken the dawn!

I will praise you among the nations, Yahweh,

and I will make music among the peoples.

For your faithfulness is great—it goes above the heavens!

And your truthfulness goes above the sky!

Rise above the heavens, God,

and let your glory rise above all the earth!

So that your beloved ones will be saved;

Grant salvation by your right hand and answer me! [Read more…] about Psalm 108

Jesus Shares Your Struggles

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The second chapter of Hebrews aims to prove that Jesus shared in humanity, so that he could be a forerunner of glory and honour, leading those behind him into the same (2:5–18). But sometimes we see Jesus as the perfect God so different from us, that we never consciously assume that he could have experienced temptation and suffering as we do.

Yet Hebrews 2 argues just the opposite: “Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (2:17–18). [Read more…] about Jesus Shares Your Struggles

4 Reasons Why Books Are Better Than Video Games

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I cannot live without books
– Thomas Jefferson

By Raúl Ruano Ruiz, without change, license

Video games are fun diversions, a good way to connect with friends and family, and a marvel of technology. They also pale in comparison with the human mind, are lonely, often have weak stories, and cannot communicate grand ideas nearly as well as books. Books are simply much better.

[Read more…] about 4 Reasons Why Books Are Better Than Video Games