A Psalm of Life

Tell me not, in mournful numbers,     Life is but an empty dream!—For the soul is dead that slumbers,     And things are not what they seem. Life is real! Life is earnest!     And the grave is not its goal;Dust thou art, to dust returnest,     Was not spoken of the soul. Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,     Is our destined end or way;But to act, that each to-morrow     Find us farther than to-day. Art … Continue reading A Psalm of Life

Top Ten Discoveries Related to the Book of Daniel

Here is a nice write up of historical evidence of Daniel and his text (the book of “Daniel” in the bible). I firmly support the 6th c. BCE timeframe of both the miraculous history and prophecies of the book. In addition to the following reblogged post, I add two of my own lines of evidence for Daniel’s authenticity. 1. Jesus would not have referenced Daniel … Continue reading Top Ten Discoveries Related to the Book of Daniel

Ancient Ways of Judaism and Jesus Told by Archaeology

Through the valleys of Israel there is a major commercial trade route, the Via Maris. Not so much in operation today, this ancient route has been throwing up new archeological discoveries in recent years which seem to point towards an intersection between Jews and Christians. It doesn’t take much to stumble across priceless artifacts when digging in… Ancient Ways of Judaism and Jesus Told by Archaeology — ONE … Continue reading Ancient Ways of Judaism and Jesus Told by Archaeology

Rabbinic Judaism 101: Extensive Introduction

This article will review the key development stages of Rabbinic Judaism and the Oral Law based on latest research. Please notice: This article is an excerpt taken by permission of the newly released book “Rabbinic Judaism Debunked: Debunking the myth of Rabbinic Oral Law (Second Edition, Revised and Expanded)” (by Dr. Eitan Bar and Dr.… Rabbinic Judaism 101: Extensive Introduction — ONE FOR ISRAEL Ministry Continue reading Rabbinic Judaism 101: Extensive Introduction

What is a “Critical Text” of the Greek New Testament?

Welcome to Ask the Prof! In the Ask the Prof video series Dr. Daniel B. Wallace will answer questions that we at CSNTM receive the most. We will post an Ask the Prof video about once a month on the Colophon blog. If you’d like to receive Ask the Prof videos as soon as we… Ask the Prof: What is a “critical text” of the Greek … Continue reading What is a “Critical Text” of the Greek New Testament?

Craig A. Carter’s Retrieval of “The Great Tradition”

All modifications of, or departures from, classical theism are really modifications of, or departures from, the Protestant confessions. Ironically, many “Reformed Baptists,” such as James White, who proclaim their allegiance to the Second London Confession of 1689, do not teach it faithfully. They appear not to understand what the Confession means when it says that God is “without body, parts, or passions.” (2LBC 2.1) This … Continue reading Craig A. Carter’s Retrieval of “The Great Tradition”

Christian-Platonism or Hegelianism?

Within this metaphysic, the cosmos pulsates with life and meaning. Creation is good because it is formed in the good mind of the all-good God. The material universe is not good despite its physical form; its physical form is itself good. But its physical form does not exhaust its essence. The cosmos means more than it is. The Tragedy of Chronological Snobbery – Credo Magazine Continue reading Christian-Platonism or Hegelianism?

Muller’s Defense of Aquinas’ Use of Ex. 3.14

In focusing on the identity of the First Mover as “He who is,” the existent One, opens up a philosophy that can argue creation ex nihilo and a doctrine of providence, specifically on the ground that the One in whom there is no real distinction between essence and existence can know the essences of potential things and confer existence. Misrepresenting Aquinas with Prejudice — Credo Magazine Continue reading Muller’s Defense of Aquinas’ Use of Ex. 3.14

The Lord’s Prayer Teaches Us How to Pray Every Other Prayer

A Prayer Model The Lord’s Prayer is a model for us. It’s not the only prayer that we ever pray, and Jesus is not telling his disciples (or telling us), You just have to say this one prayer with these words. It’s a very short prayer, but it really is a model. And it helps us… The Lord’s Prayer Teaches Us How to Pray Every Other Prayer … Continue reading The Lord’s Prayer Teaches Us How to Pray Every Other Prayer

Perfection (Completion) Through Suffering

It was fitting for God, from whom are all things and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the Prince of their salvation through suffering. (Heb. 2.10) Jesus is the eternal creator through whom the Father enlivens fallen creatures. Jesus took on flesh, lived among men for 33 years and never once broke any Mosaic Law. After all, He … Continue reading Perfection (Completion) Through Suffering

The Divine Advance of Redeeming Materiality: The Incarnation

God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth (Jn 4.24 NIV) is what Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well who sought from Him living water. Of course, since the material and spiritual rulers were created by Him and for Him (see Col. 1.16), He could enter the physical realm and appear in various forms to His people … Continue reading The Divine Advance of Redeeming Materiality: The Incarnation

A Womb of Compassion? Col. 3.12

Here is an interesting take on splanckna. Most rendering of this word has “bowels,” which seems a bit odd. Womb, however, makes more sense and is in the same region. In the O.T. one of the names of God derives from being “many breasted” implying never-ending sustenance. God made females perfect in His wisdom, just as He did males. What a wonderfully wise and appropriate … Continue reading A Womb of Compassion? Col. 3.12

Two Heads are Better than One-Reading Primary Sources

Eccl. 4.9-12 tells us that two are better than one when it comes to labor, partnerships, and other practicalities. Older books and primary sources have a way of teaching us better than mediated works, which often fail. Secondary sources can, of course, greatly instruct by their analysis of things which we would not have noticed first hand. However, for the most part, I agree with … Continue reading Two Heads are Better than One-Reading Primary Sources

Finding the Bible’s Meaning

The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit (1Cor. 2.14 NIV). This verse is complementary to the previous one where the NIV footnote has a reading that makes more sense: interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. James Murphy … Continue reading Finding the Bible’s Meaning

The Psalms Versus Present Commercial Christian Music

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it (Heb. 2.1 ESV). Sure, I like to listen to some of the better contemporary music by Christian artists, but most offerings are along the lines of only one theme. A few songs of praise aren’t too bad, but, overall, really insightful, melodious songs are scarce. More often … Continue reading The Psalms Versus Present Commercial Christian Music

The Moral Majority Redux-The Bait and The Trap

The Separation of Church and State I opposed the Moral Majority at its conception in the late 1970’s and oppose any of its successors today. What I am saying is that the church and the state should be separate: So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s (Mt. 22.21 NIV). The issue of paying taxes to Pagan Overlords in … Continue reading The Moral Majority Redux-The Bait and The Trap

How Psalms Anticipate Christ-By Greg Lanier

(Courtesy of The Gospel Coalition) If we can forgive Lanier’s alliteration (surprised he didn’t use “praise”), he traces the rich use of how God interprets and fulfills scripture. The Father, Jesus, and the Spirit have eternal relations as shown in the Psalms. Jesus was “Lord” (Ps 110.1) before His incarnation. His ascension, I believe, recorded in Acts 1 was to His priestly throne (see Zech. … Continue reading How Psalms Anticipate Christ-By Greg Lanier