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Between Babel and Beast
(America and Empires in Biblical Perspective)
The Glory of Kings: A Festschrift for James B. Jordan
Fyodor Dostoevsky
(Christian Encounters Series)
Athanasius
(Foundations of Theological Exegesis and Christian Spirituality)
The Four: A Survey of the Gospels
Defending Constantine: The Twilight of an Empire and the Dawn of Christendom
From Behind the Veil: The Epistles of John
Deep Exegesis:The Mystery of Reading Scripture
1 & 2 Kings
Brazos Theological Commentary
The Promise Of His Appearing: An Exposition Of Second Peter
A Great Mystery: Fourteen Wedding Sermons
Deep Comedy: Trinity, Tragedy, And Hope In Western Literature
Miniatures & Morals: The Christian Novels of Jane Austen
The Priesthood of the Plebs: A Theology of Baptism
A Son To Me: An Exposition of 1 & 2 Samuel
From Silence to Song: The Davidic Liturgical Revolution
Ascent to Love: A Guide to Dante's Divine Comedy
Blessed Are the Hungry: Meditations on the Lord's Supper
A House For My Name: A Survey of the Old Testament
Heroes of the City of Man: A Christian Guide to Select Ancient Literature
Brightest Heaven of Invention: A Christian Guide To Six Shakespeare Plays
Wise Words: Family Stories That Bring the Proverbs to Life
The Kingdom and the Power: Rediscovering the Centrality of the Church
“How can a man be born again when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb?”
Nicodemus’ way of putting the question sounds childish; but it’s a common question. My life is a mess, and what’s done cannot be undone. Then along comes Jesus mocking me with talk of a fresh start, incredible promises of being “born again.” Whatever. Can a man enter again into his mother’s womb?
Jesus says we not only can but must be born again, and Peter adds that we are begotten “to a living hope.” For Peter, as for the rest of Scripture, hope is light and life; when we are hopeless, we’re walking in the gloom of death.
That’s because God Himself is our hope: “You are my hope, O Lord God,” David writes, “You are my confidence from my youth.” When the living Hope withdraws, His people die; when Yahweh the Hope of Israel returns, they are born again.
Hope in our unseen Lord, and hope for the inheritance He promises, fills us with life, with joy inexpressible and full of glory. When God gives us this hope, He begets us again through the resurrection of Jesus.
posted by Peter J. Leithart on Sunday, September 27, 2009 at 6:46 am
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