On Sleep And Soteriology

Awake, O sleeper,

And arise from the dead,

And Christ will shine on you

- Ephesians 5:14

Perhaps Paul is referencing a contemporaneous hymn thus highlights the one of the ubiquitous triplet metaphors for salvation (Isaiah 9:2; 26:19; 52:1; 60:1)

1. Being awakened (Romans 13:11)

2. Being raised from the dead (Ephesians 2:1-10)

3. Transferred from light to darkness (John 3:19ff; Colossians 1:10-14)

- For more see the discussion in Francis Foulkes, Ephesians, Tyndale New Testament Commentary, vol. 10 (Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1989), 149.

On Grace, Worship And Love

I was blessed to remember this hymn.

What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and grief to bear!

What a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer.

O what a peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear

All because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer!

- Joseph Scriven, "What A Friend We Have in Jesus," 1855.

C.f. Jesus' words to his disciples:

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

- John 15:16f

On Sinn And Bedeutung

While discussing the malleability of language, the example of firetrucks and its corresponding reference unfolded. Needless to say, it was well received.

Sense: "Fire Truck!"

Referent: Love

C.f. Gottlob Frege, Sense and Reference, 1892.

On Christology And Hope

All our failure and all our fear

God our love, He has overcome

All our heartache and all our pain

God our healer, He has overcome

All our burdens and all our shame

God our freedom, He has overcome

All our troubles and all our fears

God our love, He has overcome

God our justice, God our grace

God our freedom, He has overcome

God our refuge, God our strength

God is with us, He has overcome

- Hillsong United, "Take Heart" from Aftermath, 2011.