Scholar's Blog: Faith, Scripture & Everyday Life

Explore timely, relevant questions about the Bible - through a scholarly lens.
July 15, 2025

Sticking Up for Paul: Part 3

This post addresses Paul’s words on slavery, showing that while he acknowledges its reality in the Roman world, he ultimately envisions a redeemed future where distinctions like slave and free no longer exist in Christ. Through letters like Philemon, Paul urges believers to reflect this new reality by treating all Christians as equal, emphasizing unity, freedom, and faithful witness over societal norms.
July 1, 2025

Sticking Up for Paul: Part 2

This post addresses the claim that the Apostle Paul was against women in church leadership by examining both the restrictive and supportive passages in his letters. While some verses appear to limit women's roles, a broader look at Paul's writings reveals his consistent affirmation of female leaders, suggesting that his overarching goal was inclusive participation in worship rather than exclusion.
June 17, 2025

Sticking Up for Paul: Part 1

The Apostle Paul is often seen as a divisive figure in Christianity, with some deeply valuing his teachings and others finding him off-putting or arrogant. However, a deeper engagement with his letters—beyond the snippets often heard in church—reveals a man earnestly responding to the needs of early Christian communities.
June 3, 2025

The Politics of Faith

The New Testament, particularly Philippians 3:20, presents the idea that the church’s true political identity is rooted not in earthly systems but in a heavenly citizenship, calling believers to live according to the values and responsibilities of heaven in the present.
May 20, 2025

Why We Should Read the Bible as Literature

This article argues that reading the Bible as literature honors its complexity and holiness rather than diminishing it. By examining biblical texts through literary elements like tone, genre, and symbolism—as we would with any great work of literature—we open ourselves to deeper understanding and transformative insights.
May 6, 2025

The Ongoing Work of Translation

This blog post explores how the translation of a single Greek phrase in Philippians 3:9—can significantly shape theological understanding, particularly whether righteousness comes through having faith in Christ or sharing the faithfulness of Christ.
April 22, 2025

What is a Scholar?

Scholarship isn’t just about having the right answers—it’s about being a lifelong student who asks thoughtful questions, revisits assumptions, and continues to grow. This blog invites you into that journey of curiosity and discovery, reminding us that true scholarship happens not in isolation, but in community.
“The Candler Foundry knows the importance of learning with our whole selves—not having to choose between growing our minds or deepening our faith.”

Elizabeth “Ebby” Arnold is The Candler Foundry scholar-in-residence. She has a PhD from Emory University in New Testament Studies. An ordained minister in the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Ebby loves teaching Courses in the Community and preaching for local churches.

Elizabeth Arnold
Scholar in Residence
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