Author: Austin A. Hess

I graduated from Lancaster Bible College in May 2019 with a degree in Pastoral Ministry (with Biblical Languages) and Biblical Studies. I am attending Covenant Theological Seminary in pursuit of a Master of Arts in Biblical & Theological Studies. I currently work for Westminster Theological Seminary as a Learning Experience Design & Support Lead. I'm also a Bible & Theology Adjunct Instructor at Lancaster Bible College. I am member at a Presbyterian Church in America congregation as well as under-care and intern with my presbytery.

Writing for Exiles

The Faithful God: Living as Exiles

16 May 202218 Oct 2021

Now that the text has been analyzed and situated in its proper context, the final step of the interpretive process is to apply it to Christians today. To do this,…

Writing for Exiles

The Faithful God: Canonical Context

9 May 202218 Oct 2021

In WCF 1.9, the divines affirmed the analogy of faith which is the clearer Scripture interprets the murkier Scriptures. Therefore, Scripture as a cohesive whole interprets itself and makes many…

Writing for Exiles

The Faithful God: Historical Context

2 May 202218 Oct 2021

While understanding how this passage contributes to God's overall plan of redemption is important, it is equally vital to understand the historical context of the contents in the passage as…

Writing for Exiles

The Faithful God: Literary Context

25 Apr 202218 Oct 2021

While examining the details of a text helps the reader understand what the author is communicating, the text must be understood in its context. For no one has written a…

Writing for Exiles

The Faithful God: Introduction & Text

18 Apr 202218 Oct 2021

"If God is so good, then why does evil exist? Why did God send a flood to destroy the whole world if everything he created was 'very good'? Why did…

Writing for Exiles

Israeli Education for the Church: Living as Exiles

11 Apr 202218 Oct 2021

Now that 6:4-9 has been thoroughly exegeted and its theology fully considered, what does this passage have to do with the church today? The Person The first major focus of…

Writing for Exiles

Israeli Education for the Church: Biblical & Theological Context

4 Apr 202218 Oct 2021

Peter writes in his second letter that God has given his people all things pertaining to life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3). As a result, God's people have his Word…

Writing for Exiles

Israeli Education for the Church: Literary Context

28 Mar 202218 Oct 2021

The context of this passage is quite broad. Moses is addressing Israel and teaching them about the law (4:44-26:19).[1] He begins the core of his message reiterating the Ten Commandments given…

Writing for Exiles

Israeli Education for the Church: Historical Context

21 Mar 202218 Oct 2021

After analyzing the text, it is important to situate it in its historical context. The surrounding events and this teaching did not happen in a vacuum; they happened in a…

Writing for Exiles

Israeli Education for the Church: Introduction & Lexical Analysis

14 Mar 202218 Oct 2021

When it comes to Christian education—especially of young people—many questions run through peoples' minds. "Do I send my son/daughter to a private Christian school? Do I homeschool them? Send them…

Writing for Exiles

One Body, Many Members (1 Corinthians 12:12-31)

7 Mar 202218 Oct 2021

Last year, as we came out of the first round of lockdowns in Pennsylvania, I started to get outside more and ride my bicycle—something I hardly did for the past…

Reading with Exiles

Approach to Revelation & Eschatology

28 Feb 202220 Oct 2021

There are potentially 36 possible combinations of one's view of the end times—some more exegetically tenable than others. Due to the revelatory and apocalyptic nature of this book, it is…

Writing for Exiles

The Means of Grace (Acts 2:42-47)

21 Feb 202218 Oct 2021

My guess is that you don’t need my help to uncover a saddening situation you encountered this week– maybe something with our nation, your family, a career, health diagnosis or…

Writing for Exiles

Creativity & Copyright

16 Feb 202224 Jun 2021

I'll have to admit, this is a pretty niche series. However, in order to demonstrate the relevancy of our faith to all areas of life—even copyright law—I wanted to share…

Writing for Exiles

Factional Leaders & Followers: Christologically Focused (Part 3)

7 Feb 202216 Oct 2021

How does 1 Corinthians 1 and Philippians 2 inform leadership and followership? First, factionalism damages the church. Factionalism creates damage by sowing pride in leaders. For someone in a position…

Writing for Exiles

Factional Leaders & Followers: The Philippians Christological Solution (Part 2)

31 Jan 202216 Oct 2021

The Westminster Standards divides Christ’s life into two distinctive parts: his humility and exaltation.[1] Christ’s humility “consisted in his being born, and that in a low condition, made under the…

Writing for Exiles

Factional Leaders & Followers: The Corinthian Leadership & Follower Problem (Part 1)

24 Jan 202216 Oct 2021

Every leader knows they have followers and the power to influence them. In an age of divisiveness, the leader’s power can—intentionally or unintentionally—create a cultic following. The followers will begin…

Writing for Exiles

Human Sacrifice: A Reexamination of Jephthah’s Vow

19 Jan 202224 Jun 2021

Imagine, for a moment, a short story one would know well. The short story is memorable because of how well written and surprising it is. However, the short story has…

Writing for Exiles

What is Sacrifice?

12 Jan 202224 Jun 2021

This post was originally part of a presentation at Lancaster Bible College | Capital Seminary & Graduate School. It has been modified from its original version. I have the daunting task…

Writing for Exiles

Suffering Well

5 Jan 202224 Jun 2021

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you…

Writing for Exiles

How Do We Respond?

29 Dec 202118 Oct 2021

Fast forward 795 years. Benedict, Charlemagne, and Francis have long since passed from this life and into eternity, but their effects are still felt to this day. Without these men's…

Writing for Exiles

Answering Our Dilemma: Saint Francis of Assissi

22 Dec 202118 Oct 2021

Saint Francis of Assisi, like Saint Benedict of Nursia, came from an affluent family.[1] As a result, he could have become anything he desired: in this case, a knight.[2] However,…

Writing for Exiles

Answering Our Dilemma: The Carolingians

15 Dec 202118 Oct 2021

If there are two words that could sum up the relationship between the Carolingians and the state, they are "power struggle." The first confusing situation the church and state found…

Writing for Exiles

Answering Our Dilemma: Saint Benedict of Nursia

8 Dec 202118 Oct 2021

Not much is known about Benedict's early life. However, the most popular place to start with Benedict is with his motivation for life. Benedict was lived in Nursia, a Roman…

Writing for Exiles

Benedict, the Carolingians & Francis: Answering Our Dilemma

1 Dec 202118 Oct 2021

In my undergraduate program, my professors sought to form the whole person through a three-fold paradigm: the heart (be), head (know), and hands (do). In this model, classes in church…