Apples of Insight

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Vector-style cartoon illustration of a sad man standing with folded arms, looking downcast. Behind him is a framed scene of three joyful people at a party—wearing bright clothes, one with a party hat and drink, all cheering with confetti falling. The contrast emphasizes the man’s isolation from celebration. Outlined in thick black lines with bold flat colors, the design has a clean, sticker-like style on a transparent background.

The Hell Awaiting Christians? (Pt. 3)

Jesus warned of “the darkness outside” where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Many assume this means hell—but the parables suggest something else: a temporary loss of joy and reward for unfaithful believers at the Judgment Seat of Christ. What does this sobering warning really mean?

The Seven Subtypes of Allegorical Interpretation

Allegory in biblical interpretation assigns symbolic or hidden meanings to Scripture—sometimes beyond the author’s intent. While some are biblically sanctioned, others risk replacing God’s message with our own ideas. Here are seven common subtypes you might encounter.
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The Hell Awaiting Christians? (Pt. 4)

The Judgment Seat of Christ is not about salvation but faithfulness. For some, it brings crowns and joy; for others, loss, shame, and regret. Yet even sorrow is temporary—every believer will be filled with eternal joy. How should this reality reshape the way we live now?
Bold vector-style cartoon illustration of a compass rose with alternating purple and gold points. Around the compass are small icons: (clockwise starting at the top) target, brick, magnifying glass, scroll, book pile, globe, clock, tornado, line graph, speech graphic, chain links, and DNA strand. Outlined in thick black lines with flat gold, purple, pink, and teal colors in a clean sticker-like style.

The Context Compass

Interpreting Scripture can feel like wandering in the wilderness—every verse pulling a different way. The Context Compass (C12) offers bearings: twelve “directions” of context that orient us to author, history, genre, and theology. Not a rigid map, but a compass—guiding readers toward clarity without losing the text’s voice.
Vector-style cartoon illustration of two birds butting heads in confrontation. On the left, a purple pigeon with a neutral expression; on the right, a yellow parrot with magenta accents and an angry expression. Small orange lines above their heads emphasize tension. Outlined in thick black lines with bold flat colors, the design has a playful sticker-like style on a transparent background.

Pigeons and Parrots

When reading Scripture, the plain sense is usually the safest ground. Yet too often we chase exotic interpretations—“parrots” instead of “pigeons.” Occam’s Razor reminds us: avoid stacking assumptions. God’s Word transforms us best when we let context, not speculation, guide its meaning.
Bold vector-style cartoon illustration of a man, representing Paul, standing protectively in front of a child, angrily swearing at a group of adults. A speech bubble above him contains symbols (#%$!) to represent expletives. The child looks sad and worried, while the group of adults appear upset and hostile. Outlined in thick black lines with flat colors of pink, gold, and dark teal, in a clean sticker-like style.

The Apostle Paul Taught me to Cuss

Did Paul swear in the Bible? He wasn’t afraid of sharp language. He called his old life “skúbalon” (excrement), mocked false teachers with grotesque wordplay, and even echoed ethnic slurs to dismantle them. Like Jesus, he used shocking words to protect truth, expose hypocrisy, and defend God’s people.
Vector-style cartoon illustration of a man standing in a Vitruvian-like pose with arms and legs extended outward. He wears a pink shirt and dark pants, framed by a purple circle in the background. Outlined in thick black lines with bold flat colors, the design has a clean, sticker-like style on a transparent background.

Somatic Devotion (Pt. 1)

When we say “worship,” we usually mean singing on Sundays. But Scripture shows something far wider: devotion—one-way, God-ward acts that turn ordinary life toward Him. What if cars, coffee, and commutes could become devotion? What if our whole bodies joined the song?

All Insights

Forgiveness Without Fog

Forgiveness isn’t forgetting or excusing—or instant reconciliation. Biblically, it’s a clear, repeatable act: name the wrong, release your personal claim to payback, refuse inner and outer retaliation, and entrust judgment to God—again as needed. This frees you to heal while justice and boundaries still stand.

The Invention of “Saving” Faith

For centuries, James 2 has been read as teaching two kinds of faith—“true” vs. “demonic.” This essay shows how that split stems from Augustine’s Latin Bible and the Donatist fight, not James. Restore the dialogue cues, and the passage calls believers to live their shared faith, not classify it.

The Context Compass

Interpreting Scripture can feel like wandering in the wilderness—every verse pulling a different way. The Context Compass (C12) offers bearings: twelve “directions” of context that orient us to author, history, genre, and theology. Not a rigid map, but a compass—guiding readers toward clarity without losing the text’s voice.

The Apostle Paul Taught me to Cuss

Did Paul swear in the Bible? He wasn’t afraid of sharp language. He called his old life “skúbalon” (excrement), mocked false teachers with grotesque wordplay, and even echoed ethnic slurs to dismantle them. Like Jesus, he used shocking words to protect truth, expose hypocrisy, and defend God’s people.

Somatic Devotion (Pt. 1)

When we say “worship,” we usually mean singing on Sundays. But Scripture shows something far wider: devotion—one-way, God-ward acts that turn ordinary life toward Him. What if cars, coffee, and commutes could become devotion? What if our whole bodies joined the song?

Who Said That?

The Bible is God’s Word for us—but not every line was written to us. Confusing the author, recipient, speaker, and audience can twist meaning and create contradictions. Learning to track these “four parties of Scripture” clears the noise and lets us hear God’s Word as it was meant.