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
Admittedly, I am not confident in my knowledge of eschatology to say “it will happen this way.” I don’t know any credible theologian who claims they have eschatological answers beyond basic ideas about Christ’s return in judgment. Timing is solely in God’s hands as is the sequence. Perhaps it is to be expected that we have revelation without understanding by the example of Daniel in … Continue reading Finding True Hope
The writer of Hebrews compares the different glories of God’s workings in history showing the Son is the clearest revelation and superior to angels: For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father” Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son” And again, when God brings his firstborn into the … Continue reading Psalm 2 Overview
And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles… Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word (Acts 7.1,4 ESV). It’s abundantly clear, from the practice of the early church, that ordinary Christians spread the message and not their leaders. While Jesus set … Continue reading You Should be a Teacher by Now
For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law … Continue reading Gentile Christians are not Jewish
Review of “Your Father’s L’Abri” by Gregory Edward Reynolds — Douglas Douma Continue reading The Uneven Legacy of Francis Schaeffer
Roger Moore (the late James Bond actor), was seriously ill at age 5. Upon recovery he said: “Jesus wants me for a sunbeam.” Actually, “Sonbeam” might be a better term. Jesus wants me for a sunbeam,To shine for Him each day;In every way try to please Him,At home, at school, at play. Refrain A sunbeam, a sunbeam,Jesus wants me for a sunbeam;A sunbeam, a sunbeam,I’ll … Continue reading Jesus Wants Me for a Sonbeam
On most issues, if they are honest, Christians do a good job at addressing the matter and take an appropriate stance. But not on Cannabis. I am speaking of those who will not study the facts and be honest. On an individual, congregant level most Christians are not too fussed with Cannabis unless they hear different from their leaders. The Christian leader who refuses to … Continue reading Christians on the Wrong side of History
The remarkable chronicle of the polymath, Sir William O’Shaughnessy Brooke. Read the chronicle and you will find out why he is forbidden. Why haven’t we heard more about him? Is it because in the 1830’s he demonstrated and affirmed both the medical efficacy and recreational use of Cannabis. Cannabis was a plant whose use sustained physical labor and kept the mind focused. The medical uses … Continue reading The Forbidden Hero
To be a public Christian without really knowing about social issues is a display of willful ignorance. Piper sticks his head in the sand by claiming “he knows nothing” about these issues relying on Wikipedia for answers. Does the call of God not require analyzing social issues affecting society? He frames the issue as one of danger because “upsurge of cannabis-infused drinks on sale for … Continue reading John Piper, Social Justice Dilittante
