If we were to poll various communities, such as Jewish, Samaritan, or early Christian, we would probably find that they view the 10 Commandments differently. Here, I want to alert readers that not all things are the same when different folks speak on the same topic. Also, the author, doesn’t state his allegiance despite being an extraordinary professor in New Testament at a prominent University … Continue reading What is the First Commandment?
This is a method I didn’t have when I first studied Koine Greek nearly 50 years ago. Here is an overview showing that the method follows the evidence. The upshot of these studies and tools is that the Majority Text (preserved and transmitted by Byzantine Christians) is given greater weight when considering collating options for the New Testament Text. http://thetextualmechanic.blogspot.com/2023/08/the-editio-critica-maior-of-mark.html Continue reading The Coherence Based Genealogical Method of Textual Criticism
And David lived in the stronghold and called it the city of David. And David built the city all around from the Millo inward (2Sa. 5.9 ESV). And David lived in the stronghold; therefore it was called the city of David. And he built the city all around from the Millo in complete circuit, and Joab repaired the rest of the city (1Chron. 11.7-8 ESV). The … Continue reading The Millo
This media is not from a Christian viewpoint but highlights Jewish hope. The rabbi references the “return” of God; and probably, in his conception, indicates The Name’s (HaShem) Presence, similar to the cloud was at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting during the exodus from Egypt or the shekinah glory of Solomon’s Temple. I’m not sure how he thinks about Messiah’s coming, but probably … Continue reading Is the Arrival of a Third Jewish Temple in the Near Future?
In Theology, a millenarian is a believer in an earthly paradise at the second coming of Jesus. This paradisiacal term will last 1000 years, hence, the name “Millennium.” The Millennium is the penultimate state of redemption as portrayed in the Prophets. Christians who believe this today are named Premillennialists (“Pre” references the timing of Jesus as ‘before’ establishing the Kingdom). Post-Millennialists believe this present era … Continue reading Papias the Premillennialist
As this article agrees that Acts was written (or sent to Theophilus) in 62 C.E., it has piqued my interest. The book ends with Paul living in Rome, awaiting trial, and preaching Christ to all who would listen (Acts 28. 30-31). Therefore, if Acts was sent to Theophilus in 62 C.E., then, his former book, Luke (Acts 1.1), would have had to be sent prior … Continue reading Historiographical Luke
O.T. Hebrew texts were on vellum, processed animal skins. This was the “parchment” (membranas) Paul wrote Timothy to bring with him: When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments (2Tim. 4.13 ESV). These parchments undoubtedly had to contain O.T. bible texts because of the value of the material, the typical use in … Continue reading Ancient Paper of Biblical Texts
The Songs of Ascents (Psalms 120-134) were songs for the Israeli festival worshippers. All males of that country above the age of Isaac at his redeemed offering (see Gen. 22.1-19), were instructed from God in the Mosaic Covenant to attend, sacrifice, and stand in the special place of God’s presence at the Jerusalem Temple. It was the place God chose the place His Name, and … Continue reading Physical Aspects of Pilgrimage to Jerusalem
A little over a year ago I walked the Canaanite Tunnel ending at the Pool of Siloam. They are still excavating the road where the stone tablet was found so I couldn’t return up to the Temple Mount by ancient roadway yet. Instead of ascending to street level another underground route was the drainage tunnel that led to the Davidson Center’s Archaeological Park on the … Continue reading The Jerusalem Pilgrimage Road Discoveries
Observing all the discrete archaeological studies of a region may give the researcher a clearer picture of its history. https://www.timesofisrael.com/web-of-biblical-cities-depicts-king-david-as-major-ruler-says-israeli-archaeologist/ Continue reading Publications as Mines
The early Christians recognized that Mary was the “woman” from Genesis 3.15 who would give birth to the one who would crush the serpent’s head. Centrally, it was not the woman who was to be praised, but her promised seed. Mary was the vessel for the promise to Abraham to be fulfilled: And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed (Gen. … Continue reading The Second Eve Still Needed Redemption Herself
https://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2023/06/what-science-is-and-isnt Science is just God’s laws of nature. It’s Him who should be in focus since He also transforms nature as He did in the past and will do so again. Importantly, He can transform mortals into immortals, sinners into saints, the defeated into the unconquerable. Continue reading Using the Things of This World Without Becoming Engrossed by Them
Now out of the ground the LORD God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them (Gen. 2.19 ESV). Continue reading The Science Mandate: Taxonomy
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