Intro

This blog gains its name from the book Steele's Answers published in 1912. It began as an effort to blog through that book, posting each of the Questions and Answers in the book in the order in which they appeared. I started this on Dec. 10, 2011. I completed blogging from that book on July 11, 2015. Along the way, I began to also post snippets from Dr. Steele's other writings — and from some other holiness writers of his times. Since then, I have begun adding material from his Bible commentaries. I also sometimes rewrite and update some of his essays for this blog.
Showing posts with label irony. Show all posts
Showing posts with label irony. Show all posts

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Prophets Die in Jerusalem (Luke 13:33)

QUESTION: What did Christ mean when he said in Luke 13:33, "For it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem"?


ANSWER: This is a sort of ironical rebuke of Jerusalem for its stupendous wickedness, implying that neither Galilee, where he was, nor any other country outside of Jerusalem, was sufficiently criminal to kill a prophet of the Lord. Jerusalem alone was capable of so great iniquity.

Steele's Answers p. 169.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

On Luke 11:41

QUESTION: Explain Luke 11:41, "But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and behold, all things are clean unto you."


ANSWER: The exegetes are about equally divided, some saying, "By acts directly contrary to rapine and wickedness, show that your hearts are cleansed, and these outward washings are needless" (Wesley); and others assert that Jesus ironically describes the error of the Pharisees, "Give alms, forsooth, and make compensation for your extortions and cleanse of all your guilt." Jesus does not often use irony, but I think he uses it with good effect here. He casts no slur on almsgiving, but upon using, it as a cover for sin.

Steele's Answers p. 106.