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Christ-centered, Reformed, Presbyterian, Calvinist-but-not-too-Calvinist; frequently liberal. I like to think of myself as ecumenically minded but am secretly suspicious of my own bias. I enjoy libraries and the books inside them. Also medieval history (esp. medieval reception of Biblical, classical and patristic sources, and the ways that their interpretations have persisted or been rejected).

My profile image is a raven from the Aberdeen Bestiary. Corvus in divina pagina diversis modis accipitur, ut per corvum aliquando predicatorum, aliquando peccatorum, aliquando diabolus intelligitur. (The raven is understood in a variety of ways in the sacred scriptures: sometimes it means a preacher, sometimes a sinner, sometimes the devil.) It reminds me that I am simul justus et peccator.


Sep
24
comment What are vows? Are they relevant even today?
@Flimzy - Monks, nuns and friars take vows but are not necessarily ordained (and nuns cannot be ordained at all)
Sep
23
accepted Why would cold running water be preferred for baptism?
Sep
22
asked Why would cold running water be preferred for baptism?
Sep
21
answered How do theistic evolutionists view the Fall of Man?
Sep
18
answered Why did people live so long before the Flood?
Sep
17
answered Determining literary types in the Bible
Sep
16
comment Is there any scripture or literature exploring why God chose not to annihilate Satan?
The idea that all shall be saved (universalism), whether through a posthumous second chance or by God exercising his infinite mercy, has been around for a long time and is not going away. The recent debate around Rob Bell's book "Love Wins" demonstrates that the mere whiff of universalism is enough to get a lot of people very excited and angry. Particularly since it is connected to two issues which are in themselves enough to get people worked up: (1) how should we behave in this life, and (2) the veracity and interpretation of the Bible. I think we will be arguing about it indefinitely.
Sep
16
answered Is there any scripture or literature exploring why God chose not to annihilate Satan?
Sep
15
answered What is the Biblical and historical basis for Christian pacifism?
Sep
15
answered What does the Bible say about Luck?
Sep
14
comment Can you be a Christian and serve in the Military?
I would add that the Bible is not conclusive on this issue. If it were, then a lot more people would agree. As it is, there are several Biblically-based reasons to support a range of positions, and the practical difference comes down to emphasis, interpretation and local circumstances.
Sep
14
answered Can you be a Christian and serve in the Military?
Sep
13
awarded  Commentator
Sep
13
comment Paul's analysis of Abraham's “offspring(s)” in Galatians 3
I don't understand why the word there should be understood as denoting one person, when the same word is used in the previous verse in an obviously plural way (in Hebrew and in the Septuagint).
Sep
13
awarded  Nice Answer
Sep
13
asked Paul's analysis of Abraham's “offspring(s)” in Galatians 3
Sep
13
answered Why didn't C.S. Lewis convert to Catholicism?
Sep
13
awarded  Organizer
Sep
13
revised Why is rape not in the 10 commandments?
edited tags
Sep
13
accepted What is the significance of the burning bush?