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

Generally speaking, it was previously thought that most copyists of Christian sacred texts were unimpressive amateurs given how rapid and wide-spread the message of the Messiah dispersed during the middle and later half of the first century. I have stated as much in some blog posts. Of course, I need to acknowledge further research and, if needed, be corrected with subsequent evidence. I am now happy to report … Continue reading New Testament Transmission

A nice article on the history of Gaza, written by Ben Piven, has just appeared in the Huffington Post. In the article, Ben surveys the history, and ups and downs, of Gaza thru the ages – and … Source: HuffPost article on the history of Gaza Continue reading HuffPost article on the history of Gaza

John William Burgon became Dean of Chichester Cathedral in 1876 and is usually referred to as “Dean Burgon.” He is remembered for his passionate defence of the historicity and Mosaic authorship of Genesis and of Biblical inerrancy in general. (Wikipedia) While he may be commended for his defence of the Bible’s veracity, he was also somewhat simplistic and took seemingly leaps of faith where empirical evidence … Continue reading Credibility: A Terrible Thing to Lose

Besides constructing a Tiberieum at Caesarea Maritima the Roman Governor Pontius Pilate issued a series of bronze coins—perutahs honoring the Emperor Tiberius.  He minted these coins in Jerusalem b… Source: One of Pilate’s Coins — Emperor Worship in Judean Territory Continue reading One of Pilate’s Coins — Emperor Worship in Judean Territory

Pontius Pilate was the Prefect of Judea that condemned Jesus to death (Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 18 and 19). He is mentioned 61 times in the New Testament.  He governed Judea from A.D. 26 … Source: Pilate’s Tiberieum at Caesarea Maritima Continue reading Pilate’s Tiberieum at Caesarea Maritima

There is abundant evidence of the presence of the Romans in Jerusalem and the land they would later call Palestine. Now comes specific evidence of the place where Titus’ army breached the Third Wall of the city. The Israel Antiquities Authority released this information earlier today. — “ — Impressive and fascinating evidence of the […] via Where the Romans breached Jerusalem wall — Ferrell’s Travel … Continue reading Where the Romans breached Jerusalem wall — Ferrell’s Travel Blog

At one time I saw an advertising slogan which, to me, seemed very effective: “The closer you look, the better we look.” This slogan invited the prospective buyer to carefully examine the product on offer  to see the manufacturer’s attention to the minute details of the item. This same slogan may be applied to the bible. We moderns possess a staggering wealth of relevant historic … Continue reading NT Inscriptions — Gallio Proconsul of Achaia (Acts 18:12)

Part of a pavement found near the theater of Corinth which mentions “Erastus” who was the aedile of the city. An “aedile” was in charge of the financial matters of the city — and was very wealthy. The pavement was laid about A.D. 50. The New Testament book of Romans was written by Paul from […] via New Testament Inscriptions — Erastus of Corinth (Acts 19:22; … Continue reading New Testament Inscriptions — Erastus of Corinth (Acts 19:22; Romans 16:13; 2 Timothy 4:20) — HolyLandPhotos’ Blog

A truly fascinating discovery occurred recently in the field of Biblical Archaeology. The suggestion of symbolic defilement by use of representative articles at worship sites informs much to us about ancient cultic practices. Of course it validates Israel’s ancient existence (some groups deny Israel existed in antiquity) and is  consistent with the biblical record. Haaretz; Hamevaser; The Jerusalem Post, September 29, 2016 An Israel Antiquities Authority … Continue reading Gate Complex at Tel Lachish, Israel and Hezekiah’s Reforms Connected by Archeological Discovery

October 1st, 2016 Excerpts of an interview published in Unio Cum Christo. International Journal of Reformed Theology and Life, Vol. 2, No. 2 (October 2016). Since Martin Luther’s reformation, three major events in the life of the Roman Catholic Church have marked its reaction not only to Protestantism but also to developments in the modern… via 129. Roman Catholic Theology after Vatican II: An Interview — … Continue reading 129. Roman Catholic Theology after Vatican II: An Interview — Vatican Files

George Athas claims that Gen. 19 uses the rhetorical device of “detail omission” to tell its story and to “surprise” the reader later with additional information  with which the reader can finally make an informed decision regarding the “righteousness” of all the actors in the account. I find the argument Dr. Athas has put forward convincing and pass it along. This view aligns very well … Continue reading Genesis 19: Has Lot Lost The Plot?

By Michael Patton (ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary) http://credohouse.org/blog/christianity-falling-down One of the first things that I have to teach my students this: The Christian faith is not a house of cards. Most assuredly, there are foundational issues of the faith that, if taken away, will destroy Christianity. Issues like the existence of God (there is no such thing as a “Christian atheist”), the resurrection of Christ, the … Continue reading House of Cards?

From tests done on archeological finds near Arad in the Negev, scientists are reconsidering the literacy skills of the Jewish people with respect to dating the writing of historical writings in the Bible: http://www.timesofisrael.com/new-look-at-ancient-shards-suggests-bible-even-older-than-thought/ via Bible Texts Written Earlier — Streams in the Negev       Continue reading Bible Texts Written Earlier — Streams in the Negev