2 Peter 1.5-7 For this reason expend all efforts to supplement to your faith excellence; then, to excellence, knowledge; then, to knowledge, self control; then, to self control, endurance; then, to endurance, godliness; then, to godliness, human kindness; then, to human kindness, love. These qualities or disciplines that Simon Peter lists are regarded as crucially important to the early Christians since he wants to repeatedly … Continue reading The Seven Christian Disciplines: 2 Peter 1. 5-15 (Part One)

James Anderson points out Elliot’s observation on what often affects us unwittingly. Both the Old and New Testaments of the bible tells us to watch our words and deeds. The only real way to do this is to consciously decide to observe the command. It is another matter entirely that when we try to do right that we fail. This is because we attempted righteousness from … Continue reading T. S. Elliot on Unconscious Influence

Leonardo De Chirico is a pastor in Rome, Italy. His PhD is from Kings College London. Here he examines the use of term by Roman Catholics which now carries new meanings. Words to those in Thessaloniki by Paul in the First Century seem appropriate:  Don’t suppress the Spirit, and don’t stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don’t be … Continue reading Subtle and Deceptive Terminology

Here are some resources holding to a young Earth. I am not sure exactly how old the Earth is but concede it may be relatively young. http://creation.com/is-genesis-history-doco-review   Continue reading Early Earth? Maybe

The philosopher introduces a book by his Christian friend and adds his own perspective. I want to state however, other existing formulas to Gal. 3.23-5. Helm portrays the plural variously: “protection, correction or discipline, destruction.” These do not seem to align neatly. Other commentators see a singular law being the guardian of many people. Believing the latter idea, I merely quibble a minor point which in no way … Continue reading Paul Helm Discussing Judgment

  Instead of trying to wax eloquent about my understanding of the empty tomb, here is Craig Evans contextualizing the scene. https://blog.logos.com/2017/04/understanding-ancient-history-uncovers-hope-easter/ So if the body of Jesus received proper burial late Friday afternoon, why did women visit his tomb early Sunday morning? The Gospels tell that the women brought spices with them (Mark 16:1; Luke 24:1). They did this because of the Jewish custom … Continue reading The Burial and Empty Tomb of Jesus

Prof. James Anderson has conveniently listed his writings that help Christians “give reply” for the reason they hope in Christ’s work. “Apologetics” is a funny name to give to the study of defending the faith but initially, in the first Christian century, the use of that Greek word meant: “to give answer,” or “reply.” Some methods are better than others and by studying God’s word … Continue reading Resources for Reply

“Do not suppose that I will accuse you before the Father. The one who accuses you is Moses, in whom you have placed your hope. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, because he wrote about me. But if you do not believe what Moses wrote, how will you believe my words?” (NET)   For the longest time the clause: Indeed, he wrote of Me at the … Continue reading Indeed, He Wrote of Me (John 5:46)

Douglas Douma reproduces Nash’s review in which he points out some items which seem ‘loose ends’ in the theology of Cornelius Van Til. Gordon Clark was the most prominent and bitterest rival to Van Til in formulating Christian thought. These two theologians’ thoughts organize into Presuppositional (Van Til) and Evidentiary (Clark) Apologetic stances. https://douglasdouma.wordpress.com/2017/04/06/ronald-nash-on-clark-and-van-til/ No student of Christian theology and philosophy should regard his education … Continue reading Nash Reviews Van Til

Sometimes a question is asked and and the hearer learns items from how the question is asked or maybe the content of the question tells the one asking certain things about the questioner. For instance: a class of students may ask the lecturer questions about the lesson where the lecturer gauges the general and specific comprehension of the students. However, this is not my focus. … Continue reading Questions that Inform

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman (Gal. 4.4a) Here, Paul sets forth in a logical sense what needed to happen for the redemption of humanity. I stress this logical connection since no verbal connection exists explicitly. No argument is presented that would point to any nascent Gnosticism among the recipients as to why “born of a … Continue reading Hammer Strikes Anvil Moment: Gal. 4.4

Here are a few images posted on Prof. Rasmussen’s site (https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/222152/posts/1364932460). In his post, Carl Rasmussen points out the dog underneath and connects it with the account of Jesus and the Syrophonecian woman to show the typical domestic scene and the plausibility of the narrative. These images depict idyllic moments which those, now interred, would have participated in during their earthly life. The scenes portrayed seem … Continue reading Interpreting Funerary Scenes

This is a great post and shows how Jesus meets our needs in unexpected ways. We have a wonderful God. Recently I was thinking about the value of Christmas or Christmas Eve services for children. Christianity has a natural appeal or connection to children that’s lacking in Islam or rabbinical Judaism because God became a child. When children sing Christmas carols, they can personally relate … Continue reading Steve Hays: Christ, Christmas and Children

Here is an informative snippet from Larry Hurtado: In the plentiful cafeteria of religious options available in the first three centuries, early Christianity stands out. This was truly a time of religious diversity and development that included the traditional Roman and Greek pantheons, of course, as well as the deities of the various other peoples and localities encompassed in the Roman Empire. Among the latter … Continue reading Prof Hurtado’s Survey of Early Christians

In 1979 two seminary friends and I self-organized a tour of the seven churches of Rev. 1-3. We sort of had to ‘wing it’ in Turkey since English was hardly used in the western part. An archaeologist working at the ancient site at Sardis told us that: “it gets a bit wilder the further east you go” when we told him about being surrounded by a … Continue reading Laodicea — Menorah and Cross

All who came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. (Jn. 10.8) Just recently I was reading a learned scholar who struggled with the meaning of Jesus’ statement about the thieves and robbers prior to Jesus. The scholar thought Jesus might have been somehow referring to biblical writers before the time of Christ. This is not the case. If … Continue reading John 10.8: Thieves and Robbers

Here is a list of things to watch out for as we try to determine meanings. Knowing more than one language helps to see the differences folks use in expressing the same idea across cultures.   From Evangel University professor Bill Griffin: Here’s are some tell-tale signs that people who claim to have “special insight about Hebrew secrets” have no idea what they are talking … Continue reading Cautions in Translating the Bible

For me it seems very clear exactly what the sign of circumcision meant for Paul virtually explains it in Phil. 3.3:  “For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— “(NIV) Paul goes on to explain what “confidence in the flesh” means in the following verses as either being … Continue reading The Sign of Circumcision Defined: Phil. 3.3

As Christians we are commanded to “prove all things” or, as another states: “examine everything carefully.” This, I believe, is what we find in the following analysis. Evangelical complementarian leaders mostly just teaching feminism The evangelical crisis about gender roles is much worse than you think. I know this because discerning, biblically-grounded complementarian friends read Gospel Hope in Hookup Culture by Owen Strachan, and thought … Continue reading Preying Women

A fascinating post by Dr. Bivin reproduced on Holy Land Photos’ blog. David N. Bivin, founder and editor–in–chief of the Jerusalem Perspective has produced a wonderful article A Farewell to the Emmaus Road. Bivin writes: The Emmaus Road narrative is the climax of Luke’s Gospel. In it, two of Jesus’ disciples encounter their resurrected Lord as they follow the road leading west from Jerusalem. Not … Continue reading Jerusalem to Emmaus and Back: An investigation.

Louis Markos teaches English at Houston Baptist University. He also holds a distinguished chair at the school. Prof. Markos gives clear voice to as to how to communicate effectively: say what is meant in concrete and understandable terms. This is fresh air for me. In this review he describes all the benefits of Latta’s work in combing his personal correspondences to analyze Lewis’ work.   … Continue reading Markos reviews Latta: C. S. Lewis and the Art of Writing

A good summary post by Dr. Irons on how we should think about biblical communication. Also, throughout this series, the importance of church history is revealed. History’s use here by Dr. Irons discloses how these early Christians interpreted their native language and thus gives us valid insights to the Greek text.   Μονογενής in the Church Fathers: A Response to Kevin Giles, Part 5 — … Continue reading Μονογενής in the Church Fathers: A Response to Kevin Giles, Part 5 — The Upper Register

Most Christians are familiar with John 3.16 which says that Jesus was “only begotten” or some versions: “unique.” So which is it, or possible is it a combination somehow of these two ideas or something else? Lee Irons engages Kevin Giles to note his disagreement with translating the Johannine term (monogenase) which only occurs 5 times in Scripture. These instances of the word however are … Continue reading “Only Begotten” or “Unique?”

January 1st, 2017 On December 8th each year, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary is celebrated. On this occasion the Roman Catholic Church contemplates the belief that Mary was preserved from original sin. This view had been part of Roman Catholic teaching and devotional practices for centuries, but it was not until 1854… via 132. “The Only Creature Without Sin” – Pope Francis on … Continue reading 132. “The Only Creature Without Sin” – Pope Francis on the Immaculate Conception of Mary — Vatican Files

Here is a post by Prof. Athas which I wanted to share earlier. I found his premise convincing that Delilah was an Israelite, and the connection to the Danites and Micah, intriguing.   In the book of Judges, we encounter the mighty Israelite judge, Samson. He is perhaps best known for his herculean strength. Yet, he is also known for his weakness for women—especially Philistine … Continue reading Samson and Delilah (the Israelite Woman) — With Meagre Powers

Here is what I wrote in response to a post at Streams in the Desert, a blog I often enjoy reading (in italics): “YHVH’s new covenant with Israel is that their sins will be forgiven forever.” The idea of a covenant is conditional. The idea of a testament is final since a death has occurred. The Mosaic Law was both covenantal: 1. “Do this and … Continue reading Covenant or Testament?

Prof. Hurtado has released a snippet of his recent book Destroyer of the Gods. In it he notes the irony (last sentence) that present day atheists have Christians to thank for a reduced workload.   Early Christians were atheists! At least, that’s how some people of the time viewed them in the earliest centuries, and it’s not difficult to see why. Most importantly, they refused … Continue reading The Debt Atheists Owe Christians (by Larry Hurtado)

After a few thousand years absence, “Jacob’s Sheep” have returned to Israel—from Canada! From The Times of Israel: ” Biblical sheep in Israel for first time in millennia” The breed received the name “Jacob sheep” based on Genesis Chapter 30, where Jacob talks about leaving his father-in-law Laban’s home and taking part of the flock […] via Jacob’s Sheep Arrive in Israel — HolyLandPhotos’ Blog Continue reading Jacob’s Sheep

Steve Hays has posted a fine way to think about the community of Jesus followers with the illustration of vehicles and those who take them. What is the best way to formulate the abstract idea of “church” that will be in concert with the ideas of “members of one body” (1 Cor. 12.12), “living stones” comprising a spiritual house (1 Peter 2.5), and the various … Continue reading Passengers or The Bus: Conceptualizing the Church

Chris Rollston wrote an interesting post back in 2013 which covers much ground with emphasis on the Cyrus Cylinder. He gives a nice historical overview and discusses recent analyses of the Cylinder’s significance.    Cyrus the Great of Persia is called “Meshiah” (that is, “Anointed One,” “Messiah”) in the Hebrew text of Isaiah 45:1 and Yahweh’s “Shepherd” in Isaiah 44:28. This sort of grandiose language … Continue reading The Cyrus Cylinder’s Intersection with The Bible