A Jewish tour guide described Israel’s God as the “Transparent God.” This is probably a better word than “invisible.” The idea of transparency indicates more of a presence than “invisible,” at least to me. Anyway, here is a rich scriptural description that encompasses O.T. figures such as the Divine King, The High Priest, and Israel’s prophets who said “Thus says The Lord.” Jesus in His … Continue reading Christ’s Threefold Ministry from Heaven’s Throne

This is a previously published post substantially revised and retitled. Also, since these brief thoughts have been brewing in my theological history for many years, I place them at the top of my site. Angel Definition Angels can be thought of as God’s assistants: Who makes his angels spirits, His ministers a fire (Ps. 104.4 Sept.). The popular conception of angels, chubby infants with wings, … Continue reading In Search of Meaning: The Doctrine of Angelic Replacement

Having just returned from visiting Israel’s sites and museums, I have never felt safer while in a country. Soldiers and plain-clothed individuals carrying submachine guns were abundant almost everywhere. Perhaps the solution to societal safety in America could be soldiers with guns among the public as well as open carry by more individuals. Also, when I worked as a carpenter no one was ever bullied. … Continue reading Evangelicals, guns, and church and state in the Early Republic

Tom Hanks Gets Empathy Wrong | Carl R. Trueman | First Things Continue reading Tom Hanks Gets Empathy Wrong

The bible promises (Jer. 31.31-34) that a time will come when individual believers will be taught of God. This is implicit in Jeremiah since no longer will they need human teachers. Jesus referred to this promise in John 6.45. Some try to find the quote in the Psalms but Jesus clearly says “in the Prophets.” I believe it was Raymond Brown who contended in our … Continue reading James Tour’s Devotional Practices

Continue reading Growing Old

The latest issue of Novum Testamentum is out (64.3), and among the new articles is one by me: “The Construction and Contents of the Beatty-Michigan Pauline Epistles Codex (𝔓⁴⁶).” A bifolium of the Beatty-Michigan codex of Paul’s letters; image source: Chester Beatty Digital Collections Here is the abstract: The surviving portion of the papyrus codex […] A New Article on the Contents of P46 — Variant … Continue reading A New Article on the Contents of P46

Greetings from the Rainbow Reich | R. R. Reno | First Things Continue reading Greetings from the Rainbow Reich

Putin’s Post-Stalinist Project | Roberto de Mattei | First Things Continue reading Putin’s Post-Stalinist Project

A church member meticulously studies the Scriptures, but he refuses to obey in certain areas. His faith is primarily an intellectual pursuit. Another tends to follow her heart instead of God’s commands. Her feelings seem to override the Bible’s authority. Another brother faithfully serves the church, but he has no interest in doctrine, as if learning truth is an add-on to genuine Christianity. Don’t Disciple … Continue reading Don’t Disciple People into Fragmented Faith

To Find Encouragement, Cultivate a Right View of God’s Promises Continue reading To Find Encouragement, Cultivate a Right View of God’s Promises

Did Christian Donations Help Fund Hamas Terror? Israeli Court Says Yes Continue reading Did Christian Donations Help Fund Hamas Terror? Israeli Court Says Yes

Continue reading Hezekiah’s Broad Wall Encompassing the Western Hill

John the Apostle, the brother of James, ministered in Ephesus during his later years and was exiled to the isle of Patmos, not far from Ephesus. Of the seven letters of Revelation 2&3, Jesus wrote to Ephesus first, mediated through John. Rev. 2.1-7 is the only letter to the Ephesians. It is fairly clear that the Apostle John was the younger brother of James and … Continue reading How Ephesus causes problems for Skeptics

Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep (1Cor. 11.28-30 NIV). The bible can be hard to understand sometimes. Even the Apostle Peter … Continue reading The Body Of Christ in 1Cor. 11.29: Who or What?

What does it profit a person to gain the whole world and yet lose themselves? Continue reading Love of Money in Academia

The following personal email has been adapted for a broader readership, to illustrate Van Til’s Apologetics. Used by permission. Dear A———: I appreciate your inquiry. 1,380 more words What Is the Presuppositional Apologetics of Cornelius Van Til? Apologetics in Action — Frame-Poythress.org Continue reading What Is the Presuppositional Apologetics of Cornelius Van Til? Apologetics in Action — Frame-Poythress.org

Continue reading Archaeology and History of the Golden Gate

Continue reading Jerusalem’s Pilgrimage Road

While Jesus does many “miracles” in the gospels, the gospel of John is different. Jesus doesn’t do “miracles.” Instead, he does seven SIGNS. You can … The Wedding at Cana Explained Continue reading The Wedding at Cana Explained

Summary: Visiting the archaeological site of the ruins of Qumran is like being transported back to the time of Jesus. The examination of the history and controversies involved with the Dead Sea scrolls is continued in this second half of a 2-part series.  The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God… The Mystery of the Dead Sea Scrolls – Part 2 — … Continue reading The Mystery of the Dead Sea Scrolls – Part 2 — Patterns of Evidence

From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, count off seven full weeks. Count off fifty days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the Lord. From wherever you live, bring two loaves made of two-tenths of an ephah of the finest flour, baked with yeast, as a wave … Continue reading The Two Leavened Loaves at Pentecost-Lev. 23.15-17

You will flee by my mountain valley, for it will extend to Azel. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him. Nahal Azal is about a half hours walk from the “Golden Gate” which can be thought to mark the center of … Continue reading Zechariah’s Very Large Valley-14.5

The Israelites didn’t have to wander 40 years if they would have obeyed God and went into the Land at Kadesh Barnea. It was God’s plan though to test, teach, and provide for them. Their clothes and sandals didn’t wear out along with sustenance of Manna, quail, and water. Israel learned that God was able to take care of them even in the most barren … Continue reading The Wilderness Wanderings

Daniel Patrick Moynihan told us that “everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.” While the latter clause is certainly true, is the former? Are there no prerequisites to having an opinion? Perhaps, one might argue, the late senator was referring only to informed opinions. But what does “informed” really… In Defense of Deference — First Things RSS Feed – Web … Continue reading In Defense of Deference

Do Men Owe Women a Special Kind of Care? – CBMW Continue reading Do Men Owe Women a Special Kind of Care?

Endure hardness as discipline (see Heb.12.7-12). Luther’s Philosophy of Spanking Children | Zwinglius Redivivus Continue reading Luther’s Philosophy of Spanking Children

Presuppositionalism in the Dock: A Review Article – Reformed Faith & Practice Continue reading Presuppositionalism in the Dock

In our previous post we featured the Sphinx of Amenemhat III (ca. 1859-1813), who ruled during the time of the biblical patriarchs. This unique colossal bust of Amenemhat III was found on the site of the ancient capital of The Fayum, Shedet (the Crocodilopolis of the Greeks). The Pharaoh is dressed in a panther skin, […] Pharaoh Amenemhat III, cont’d. — Leon’s Message Board Continue reading Pharaoh Amenemhat III, cont’d.

The Gospel of John helps us compile a historical chronology of Jesus’ ministry. At the same time, it is underlain by a symbolic chronology, which frames the climax of John’s passion narrative against the backdrop of three significant calendrical moments: a time of darkness at noon (the 7th hour), the arrival of the feast of… The Flow of Time in the Gospel of John — Thoughts … Continue reading John’s Use of Time Designators in His Gospel