A Definition Definition of an antagonist: someone who on the basis of non- substantive evidence, goes out of their way to make insatiable demands, usually attacking the person or performance of others; these attacks are selfish in nature, tear down rather than build up, and are frequently directed against leadership. From “Antagonists in the Church” … Continue reading “Antagonist”
Answers
King’s Decree Greek philosopher Anaximenes accompanied Alexander the Great on his expedition against the Persians, in the course of which Alexander’s forces captured Lampsacus, the birthplace of Anaximenes. Anxious to save his native city from destruction, Anaximenes sought an audience with the king. Alexander anticipated his plea: “I swear by the Styx I will not … Continue reading “Answers”
Anorexia
Resource • Christian Child Rearing, P. Meier, Baker, 1977, p. 69f
Anonymous
Fat Generals A man called up the local armory to get a report on the number and status of the weapons and vehicles. A private answered the phone and said, “We’ve got 3 jeeps, 4 tanks, 500 rifles, and a ton of ammo. Oh, we also have two Cadillacs for the fat generals.” Silence, then … Continue reading “Anonymous”
Annoyance
Chalk It happens every time the prof calls a group of students to the board to solve a physics problem. Someone holds the chalk wrong and sends chills up and down the spines of everyone in the class with that familiar classroom torture technique: “squeaky chalk.” Why does a piece of chalk produce that hideous … Continue reading “Annoyance”
Annihilationism
Kant Kant’s argument is that, while the soul may not be a collection of parts extended in space (therefore, not an extended quantity), it still has intensive quantity and, like a sound, it can gradually lose more and more existence until it fades out of existence altogether. Is Kant’s objection sound? We don’t think so. … Continue reading “Annihilationism”
Anger
Anger vs. Exasperation A father wanted to illustrate to his son the difference between “anger” and “exasperation.” He looked up the phone number of a pompous fellow commuter whom he knew only by name and reputation, and he dialed the number. When the call was answered by the man, the father asked, “Is Adolph there?” … Continue reading “Anger”
Angel of the Lord
Resource • New Bible Commentary, p. 29
Angelology
Categories of Angels • archai: rulers (1 Cor 15:24; Eph 1:21; 3:10; 6:12; Col 1:16; 2:10, 15) • exousiai: authorities (1 Cor 15:24; Eph 1:21; 3:10; 6:12; Col 1:16; 2:10, 15) • dunameis: powers (Rom 8:38; 1 Cor 15:24; Eph 1:21) • kuriotes: dominions (Eph 1:21; Col 1:16) • thronoi: thrones (Col 1:16) • archontes: … Continue reading “Angelology”
Ananias
Resource • The Pauline Circle, F.F. Bruce, Eerdmans, 1985, p. 11