Essays in Biblical Studies

The Letters to Bagavahya [PDF] (8th Year, Graduate Seminar Paper)
An analysis of the two drafts of a letter sent to the Governor of Yehud by the Jews of Elephantine, Egypt. This paper was presented to Dr. Aaron Rubin at Penn State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements of an Aramaic readings course. (Aram)

Reading and Re-Reading Josiah [PDF] (6th Year, M.A. Thesis)
This is a critical study of Josiah in the Book of Chronicles, written under the direction of Ehud Ben Zvi at the University of Alberta. I will present a portion of this thesis at the 2005 Annual Meeting of the Canadian Society of Biblical Studies in London (Ontario). (Heb)

Breaking Down Unity (6th Year, Graduate Seminar Paper)
An analysis of 1 Chr 21 with a view to the incongruities in the narrative and aspects of its communicative intent. I presented this paper at the 2004 Annual Meetings of the Canadian Society of Biblical Studies in Winnipeg and the European Association of Biblical Studies in Groningen. It is forthcoming in JSOT and so will not be available from this website until I have received permission to do so. Winner of The Founder's Prize, 2004. (Heb)

The Rebirth of Israel [PDF] (5th Year, Graduate Seminar Paper)
This paper explores the role of children and family in Isaiah 1-12, especially the purpose of children as signs in chapters 7-11. I will present this paper at the 2004 Annual Meeting of the Canadian Society of Biblical Studies in Winnipeg. (Heb)

"In the house of Judah my father's house" [PDF] (4th Year, Senior Paper)
Based on "The Chronicler's Joab," a paper I wrote in my third year, this historical-literary analysis explores the character of Joab in the Book of Chronicles. I presented this paper at the 2002 Annual Meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature in Toronto. (Heb)

A Matter of Conception [PDF] (3rd Year)
Presented to Dr. Brad Eastman, this paper examines the conception narrative of Matthew and asks whether the text demands a virginal conception. Attention is given to feminist and traditional interpretations as well as the theological and christological implications of the readings. Warning: Highly Controversial. (Grk)

Proper Worship [HTML] [PDF] (3rd Year)
Most often the present controversy within the church concerning women in leadership centers on 1 Timothy 2:8-3:1a. This exegetical paper examines the passage in consideration of this highly controversial topic. (Grk)

A Challenge to Faithfulness [HTML] [PDF] (3rd Year)
Ruth is one of the shorter books of the Old Testament and as such, it is sometimes overlooked. This essay is an inductive study of the book, examining its structure, narrative tension and themes.

Echoes of Moses [HTML] [PDF] (2nd Year)
The second of my two intextual studies on the figure of Moses examines the Fourth Gospel for evidence of Mosaic traditions. Using a redaction-critical approach, I argue that the Johannine community evolved in its understanding of Christ from a prophet like Moses to the high Christology that dominates the book in its canonical form.

Word Study of Paraclete [HTML] [PDF] (2nd Year)
Perhaps one of the most interesting features of Johannine theology is the paraclete of God, our divine adovocate. In this essay, I present the origins and usage of the word in Johannine literature. (Grk)

The Christ Creed [HTML] [PDF] (1st Year)
This essay discusses the meaning, form, structure and purpose of one of the most beautiful passages of scripture, Phillippians 2:5-11. Some attention is given to modern day heresies that have suggested alternate interpretations to the passage. (Grk)

Essays in Ancient and Classical Studies

Xenophon on Ordered Rule [PDF] (7th Year, Doctoral Seminar Paper)
In the Agesilaus and the Cyropaedia, in particular, Xenophon articulates a philosophy of government, leadership, and sovereignty that centers on the body and the soul, education and justice, and oikos and oikoumenê. This paper traces those themes and the ideologies that they reflect. (Grk)

Patterns of Representation [PDF] (5th Year, Graduate Seminar Paper)
In many non-Persian ancient Near Eastern and Classical texts, Cyrus the Great receives high praise. Among Classicists, it is generally presumed that Herodotus has also created a largely positive portrait of Cyrus. In this paper, I examine the patterns of representation that Herodotus employs in his presentation of Cyrus. (Grk)

Essays in British and Christian History

'True' Christianity [HTML] [PDF] (3rd Year)
Evangelicalism exploded as a religious force in Britain at the end of the 18th century. At the same time, the French Revolution had just ended, being replaced by Napoleon's military dictatorship. This essay examines "how the French Revolution impacted Evangelicalism and in what ways, Evangelicalism responded to it."

Politics and Polity [HTML] [PDF] (3rd Year)
As stated in the introduction to this essay, one of the most significant impediments in inter-faith, ecumenical dialogue is the problem of "proper" church government. This essay contends that different church structures are really as much a reflection of the age of their inception as they are reflections of biblical principles. In particular, this essay identifies the relationship between Genevan government and Calvin's church.

Sacheverell's Sashay [PDF] (3rd Year)
Henry Sacheverell was an instrumental preacher and politician in the rise of Toryism in early 18th century Britain. He vigorously promoted the ideology of God, King, and Country. His sermons attracted significant attention and eventually led to his arrest and prosecution, and also more generally, a Tory ascendancy that helped shape Britain's moderate political course through the 18th and 19th centuries.  

Bringing Down a Queen [HTML] [PDF] (3rd Year)
The recent movie, "Elizabeth," presents a young queen and her precarious rise to power. The threats to Elizabeth, however, did not end with the Norfolk plots. In fact, her most dangerous years were still ahead of her because of the ongoing intrigues of the captive Queen, Mary of Scots. This essay examines the Babington Plot of 1586, which at its end, finally brought personal security to Elizabeth.

Concerning the Will [HTML] [PDF] (2nd Year)
Perhaps one of the most significant doctrines of the reformers was the sovereignty of God and the bondage of the human will. This historical theology essay, published in the online journal Quodlibet, examines Martin Luther's position on the will as presented in his treatise The Bondage of the Will.

Slavery and the Southern Philosophes [HTML] [PDF] (1st Year)
Before abolition, the Northern and Southern states expended considerable energy on arguing for and against the institution of the slavery. In many ways, the Southern Philosophes were able to present a logical and coherent defense of a seemingly indefensible institution. This essay examines their political, social, economic and religious justifications.

Essays in English

Death and Rebirth [HTML] [PDF] (3rd Year)
In my opinion, Frederick Buechner is the greatest Christian author writing today. His novels, fiction and non-fiction alike, are evocative and truthful. In this essay, I argue that Buechner's Godric is framed around three baptismal scenes, which emphasize the dialetical tension between death and life.

Returning Through the Wardrobe [HTML] [PDF] (1st Year)
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe has often been misinterpreted as an allegory. This essay argues that Lewis did not intend his book as an allegory but as a unique fantasy with its own set of rules. Nevertheless, events occur in this fantasy world that prepare children to receive the Gospel message.

Essays in Applied Theology

Reel Christian Ethics [HTML] [PDF] (3rd Year)
An essay concerning Christian approaches to movies. Should Christians watch secular movies? If so, what principles should guide which movies Christians choose to watch? This essay argues for a critical rather than moralistic ethic, encouraging Christians to engage in culture to actively work for its redemption.  

Competitive Responses [HTML] [PDF] (3rd Year)
An essay, published in shortened form in ChristianWeek, on Nike's worldview as seen in three commercials:
 Download "Horror" (2.39MB .mov)
 Download "Elephant" (2.27MB .mov)
 Download "Gladiator" (2.26MB .mov)

The Christian Trinity [HTML] [PDF] (1st Year)
An apologetics paper refuting the Jehovah's Witnesses attack on the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. This essay responds primarily to the brochure, "Should You Believe in the Trinity?", published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.