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Author of A World from Dust: How the Periodic Table Shaped Life
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Author: bjm@spu.edu

Isaiah Advent Calendar

December 10: The Third Child, “Wonderful Counselor”

Posted on December 10, 2023 by bjm@spu.edu / 0 Comment

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, the Might...

Isaiah Advent Calendar

December 9: The Third Child, Gideon II (and III)

Posted on December 9, 2023 by bjm@spu.edu / 0 Comment

My favorite opening to a movie review is: “Re-creations of 70’s schlock, from ‘Starsky & Hutch’ to ‘The Dukes of Hazzard,’ all seem to obey the second law o...

Isaiah Advent Calendar

December 8: The Shade of Death and the Child of Light

Posted on December 8, 2023 by bjm@spu.edu / 0 Comment

“They have no light of dawn. … only distress and darkness and fearful gloom.” (Isaiah 8:20c, 22a NIV); “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; ...

Isaiah Advent Calendar

December 7: The Inner Room and the Rock

Posted on December 7, 2023 by bjm@spu.edu / 0 Comment

“And he [YHWH] will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusal...

Isaiah Advent Calendar

December 6: The Second Child, “Hurry! Hurry!”

Posted on December 6, 2023 by bjm@spu.edu / 0 Comment

“So I approached the prophetess, and she conceived and gave birth to a son. Then the LORD said to me, ‘Name him Maher-shalal-hash-baz.’ “ (Isaiah 8:3 NASB) Poor...

Isaiah Advent Calendar

December 5: Conceiving the Inconceivable

Posted on December 5, 2023 by bjm@spu.edu / 0 Comment

“For this reason the sovereign master himself will give you a confirming sign. Look, this young woman is about to conceive and will give birth to a son. You, yo...

Isaiah Advent Calendar

December 4: The First Child, “God With Us”

Posted on December 4, 2023 by bjm@spu.edu / 1 Comment

Ahaz has a pressing concern: two armies are pounding on his walls. Along with the command to “stand firm,” God gives a sign. This tells Ahaz the future, that th...

Isaiah Advent Calendar

December 3: He’d Ask a Device, but Wouldn’t Ask God

Posted on December 3, 2023 by bjm@spu.edu / 0 Comment

“If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.” (Isaiah 7:9b NIV) God’s first word through Isaiah tells Ahaz not what to do, but how to do ...

Isaiah Advent Calendar

December 2: Not-So-Wonderful Counselors, Princes of War

Posted on December 2, 2023 by bjm@spu.edu / 0 Comment

“Now it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin king of Syria and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Is...

Isaiah Advent Calendar

December 1: Prophecy is More Than Prediction

Posted on December 1, 2023 by bjm@spu.edu / 1 Comment

“And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voic...

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Recent Posts

  • Isaiah Advent Calendar Videos
  • December 25: John 21:24-25 (No Damage in My Country)
  • December 24: John 21:1-23 (The First Breakfast)
  • December 23: John 20:19-31 (A Concrete Otherness)
  • December 22: John 20:1-18 (While it is Still Dark)

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  • William Darlington on December 4: The First Child, “God With Us”
  • George Murray on December 1: Prophecy is More Than Prediction

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