The bible was written for adults to understand sufficiently. The recipients of O.T. Israel were not sophisticated moderns who had access to a wide array of information. The N.T. folks, likewise, in many instances, lacked developed learning. This does not mean that some brilliant folks in those eras did not interact with the bible. Neither am I saying that moderns should stay unlearned. Historical background … Continue reading PhD Not Required

So pray this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we ourselves have forgiven our trespassers. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one (Mt. 6.9-13 literal translation). Perhaps a quibble about the label “The Lord’s Prayer.” The text doesn’t … Continue reading The Lord’s Prayer

Various Views of the Rock Many Christians, since before the time of the Great Church Councils of the 4th Century, have believed that Jesus has built the Church on Peter’s ministry. Some Protestants, Baptists particularly, believe Christ’s Church is built on Peter’s confession. Other Protestants believe “the rock” upon which the Church is built is Jesus since the bible speaks of Christ as the cornerstone … Continue reading Upon This Rock I will Build My Church – Matthew 16: 13-19

Yesterday, I posted about narrow theological allegiance. Today, I take issue with overly puritanical narrowness. Merely knowing the bible on a superficial basis along with an anachronistic viewpoint, where interpreting biblical narratives through the lens of our own culture, is distinctly dangerous. Historically, in Christian America, alcohol use has been greatly proscribed as an evil with most Protestants being teetotalers. Only one time have I … Continue reading Combating Puritanical Narrowness

The intolerance to which I refer is the perceived Christian intolerance which has been unabated from various quarters from Christianity’s inception. The charge, with its fear, raises its voice from time to time to claim Apostolic Christianity is overly “narrow.” This is an unfounded fear or perhaps one is really outside the bounds. Then the person who is charging intolerance is the one who is … Continue reading The Two Sides of Christian Intolerance

In the previous post, I noted how Gen. 3.15 spoke of The Redeemer having His heel pierced in death. When God announced the heel piercing, during The Judgment after the Fall, it constituted a promise and therefore a certainty that He would redeem humankind. This piercing of the heel happened already as was mentioned at Calvary. God committed to its fulfillment when He announced it … Continue reading From Before the Foundation of the World – Part 2

The first instance of the use of the phrase “the foundation of the world” occurs in Matthew’s account at 13.34-35: Jesus spoke all these things in parables to the crowds; he did not speak to them without a parable. This fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables, I will announce what has been hidden from the foundation of the world” (NET). … Continue reading From Before The Foundation of the World Part 1

Jerome (On Illustrious Men 1) writing about 400 C.E. noted that some Christians of his day rejected the epistle of 2 Peter as canonical due to its difference in style with 1 Peter. This discrepancy of expression may be accounted for if a co-author of 1 Peter is recognized. The Second Epistle of Peter is probably his native style while his first letter was written … Continue reading Difference in Style between 1&2 Peter

In response to the charge that He was casting out demons by the power of the Devil, Jesus deftly provided clear reasoning of what His ministry consisted: So he called them and spoke to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom will not be able to stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house will not … Continue reading The Gates of Hell

Students (we all are students who need to keep learning about God and His creation) should be familiar with the 5 “Ws”- Who, What, When, Where, Why. There is more: “How” (what way, what means) “How much” (to what extent). Also, an elaboration of “Why”, further significance to fundamental meaning beyond a pedestrian “reason, motive.” God wants us to meditate on His word. Ps.1 says … Continue reading Study Tips

“In Christ infinite greatness and infinite goodness meet together, and receive luster and glory one from another. His greatness is rendered lovely by his goodness. The greater anyone is without goodness, so much the greater evil. But when infinite goodness is joined with greatness, it renders it a glorious and adorable greatness. So, on the other hand, his infinite goodness receives luster from his greatness.” Continue reading God’s Greatness in Relation to His Goodness – Johnathan Edwards

Here is an overview of Greek paleography and and early printing (copying). It is also an excursus of linguistics and philology. This post reveals the punctilious care employed across the spectrum of time and places in producing the text even in instances where the meaning was not affected but only differences in spelling and accentuation. Observing this extraordinary effort of conformance and accuracy instills deep … Continue reading Production of the New Testament Text

David Yoon and Stanley Porter exemplify grace in their remembrance of one whom they didn’t exactly see eye to eye with in technical and theological matters. Christians don’t necessarily have to forge alliances to show respect. God gives a unique ministry to each believer and none have arrived to perfection. May we love God more as we come to know Him better and be kind … Continue reading How to Disagree: an Example

If a person believes only what they can see, hear, or sense such as archaeological evidence from an earlier epoch, that person is their own arbiter and so is playing God. They are their own reference (or what other humans reference-they being an extension) and so only believe what can be sensed in some way. Unless a record exists from an earlier time, they will … Continue reading The Exodus from Egypt