Rebecca Stark is the author of The Good Portion: Godthe second title in The Good Portion series.

The Good Portion: God explores what Scripture teaches about God in hopes that readers will see his perfection, worth, magnificence, and beauty as they study his triune nature, infinite attributes, and wondrous works. 

                     

Sunday
Oct012023

Sunday Hymn: Leaning On the Everlasting Arms

 

 

 

 

 

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Refrain

Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.


Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

—Elisha Hoffman

Wednesday
Sep272023

Theological Term of the Week: Amanuensis

amanuensis
A scribe or secretary employed to assist an author of the Bible or other texts by writing down what is dictated and sometimes helping with syntax and grammar.
  • From scripture:
    I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord. (Romans 15:22 ESV)
    By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. (1 Peter 5:12)
  • From The Pocket Dictionary of Biblical Studies by Arthur G. Patzia and Anthony J. Petrotta:

    Tertius is named the “writer” of Romans (16:22). Paul also employed other individuals, and he draws attention to the fact by commenting that he is closing the letter in his own hand. (cf. 1 Cor 16:21; Gal 6:11; Col 4:18; 2 Thess 3:17). Silvanus is identified as Peter’s amanuensis (1 Pet 5:12). This practice of using secretaries (Jer 36:4) may account for some differences in style and language in some NT letters attributed to Paul and Peter. 

 

Learn more:

  1. Blue Letter Bible: Were Some of the Biblical Books Actually Written by a Scribe Rather than by the Named Author? (An Amanuensis)

 

Related terms:

 

Filed under Scripture


Do you have a a theological term you’d like to see featured as a Theological Term of the Week? Email your suggestion using the contact button in the navigation bar above. 

Clicking on the Theological Terms button above the header will take you to an alphabetical list of all the theological terms.

Sunday
Sep242023

Sunday Hymn: Jesus, I Come

 

 

 

 

 

Out of my bondage, sorrow and night,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into thy freedom, gladness and light,
Jesus, I come to thee;
Out of my sickness into thy health,
Out of my want and into thy wealth,
Out of my sin and into thyself,
Jesus, I come to thee.

Out of my shameful failure and loss,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the glorious gain of thy cross,
Jesus, I come to thee;
Out of earth’s sorrows into thy balm,
Out of life’s storms and into thy calm,
Out of distress to jubilant psalm,
Jesus, I come to thee.

Out of unrest and arrogant pride,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into thy blessed will to abide,
Jesus, I come to thee;
Out of myself to dwell in thy love,
Out of despair into raptures above,
Upward for aye on wings like a dove,
Jesus, I come to thee.

Out of the fear and dread of the tomb,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the joy and light of thy home,
Jesus, I come to thee;
Out of the depths of ruin untold,
Into the peace of thy sheltering fold,
Ever thy glorious face to behold,
Jesus, I come to thee.

—Will­iam T. Sleep­er