Author Archives: Rick Wadholm

IHS – What Does It Mean?

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Rick Wadholm

I had a conversation with a couple of the ladies in my church today about a symbol that is imprinted into the fabric lining the bottom of our brass offering plates. I had overheard one of them telling the other … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, History, Matthew | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Change Is Coming

Posted on May 19, 2013 by Rick Wadholm

Today was a tear-filled day as I announced my resignation to Karlstad Assembly of God effective the end of July. I have been asked to join the faculty of Trinity Bible College in Ellendale, ND as Assistant Professor of Biblical … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Studies, Hermeneutics, Homiletics, Theology, Trinity Bible College | 17 Comments

The Revelation of Yahweh in the Exodus: The Theological Center

Posted on May 18, 2013 by Rick Wadholm

I was struck by a re-reading of Exodus recently as I meditated on just what the overarching theology of Exodus might be. The Scripture that struck me most strongly was Exodus 4:22 (NET): Thus says the Lord, ‘Israel is my … Continue reading →

Posted in Exodus, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Book Exchange

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Rick Wadholm

Thanks to Jason Gardner I will be reading a new book soon: Cynthia L. Miller, ed., The Verbless Clause in Biblical Hebrew: Linguistic Approaches (Winona Lake, Ind: Eisenbrauns, 1999). Hopefully Jason enjoys Murray J. Harris, Prepositions and Theology in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Am I Really Pentecostal?

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Rick Wadholm

Am I  really Pentecostal? I’m thinking of this in several ways because recently I have been attacked by some for (1) being too Pentecostal, and by others for (2) not being Pentecostal enough. So which is it? Or is neither … Continue reading →

Posted in Pentecostal | Tagged , , , , , | 14 Comments

Literature for Ethics and Theology

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Rick Wadholm

“Literature is important for ethics because literature is as complicated as life itself, and cannot be decoded or boiled down. Ethical insight comes from reading it–first sequentially and then reflectively–not from trying to extract a ‘message’ from it.”* This is … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Interpretation, Literary Reading, Theology | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Blood and Water

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Rick Wadholm

I have continued to be more deeply convinced that giving undue historical emphasis in explaining texts leads in a direction not normally intended by the writers of Scripture. A case in point came to mind in a recent conversation with … Continue reading →

Posted in John, Theological Interpretation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Solomon's Wisdom? Redux

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Rick Wadholm

In an alternate universe Solomon’s wisdom fails to pay off as expected: (Thanks to one of my students from The Former Prophets class, Jordan Ketterer, for this humorous alternate ending). Related articles The Ambiguity of Wisdom (rickwadholmjr.wordpress.com)

Posted in 1 Kings, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Hungry with Questions

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Rick Wadholm

Yesterday I preached from Matthew 15:29-39 about the feeding of the 4,000 (men, less women and children and not to be confused with the feeding of the 5,000 men plus women and children [Matthew 14:13-21]): 29 Jesus left there and went … Continue reading →

Posted in Interpretation, Matthew | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Seven Leadership Principles From Ezra-Nehemiah

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Rick Wadholm

Here are my “Seven Leadership Principles (Hopefully No One Has Ever Taught) From Ezra-Nehemiah” (I’m still waiting on the book deal): (7) Demand that all members divorce any foreigners (Ezra 9-10) (6) Remove from membership anyone missing a special business … Continue reading →

Posted in Ezra, humor, Nehemiah | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments