Dangerous Liaisons: Delilah’s Story

Written By John Pople

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“Delilah’s story is one of betrayal, arguably the precedential betrayal in scripture. Most who’ve heard the story from Sunday school days are taught the only betrayal is hers, when she sells her lover Samson, Israel’s Judge and fearsome warrior, into the hands of the Philistine Lords. More careful reading suggests a more complex tale.”

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John Pople

I am a physicist working at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource in California, and a Christian who has demonstrated (at least to myself) that the Bible is a source of wisdom beyond human authorship. I’ve always been fascinated by the unknown, especially in physics, theology and philosophy, and greatly enjoy the rich sense of wonder I experience when at work and at play in those worlds. How does light interact with matter at its most basic level? What are the limitations for a human mind studying itself? How can the ancient story of God’s treatment of Job be embraced? These sorts of questions.

As a consequence, in the arena of the Bible exposition, I’m most strongly drawn towards age-old, unsolved mysteries and longstanding perceived injustices. What is the Song of Songs actually saying? Why does the Bible approve of the warrior Jephthah if he really did sacrifice his daughter? Why is John’s gospel so strikingly different from the other three? Some of the discoveries I found most enjoyable can be found in published form here: johnpople.com

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To Be or Not to Be
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Courage and a Wholehearted Faith